Calling Triple Zero (000)

Calling triple zero (000) for an ambulance can save lives.

Please call 000 for an ambulance in a medical emergency.

Many calls to 000 are not real emergencies. Do not call 000 if you do not require immediate medical assistance.

What is a medical emergency?

Medical emergencies include:

• shortness of breath
• difficulty breathing
• loss of consciousness (the person won’t wake up)
• chest pain
• broken bones
• head injury
• suspected heart attack or stroke
• excessive blood loss
• a serious fall
• motor vehicle crash with injuries.

When to call 000

• If it is a medical emergency, call 000 at any time, day or night.
• Don't wait to see if ‘it gets better’.
• Call even if you don’t know what is wrong.
• This is always a free call.

What to do on a 000 call

• Stay calm, speak slowly and answer all questions.
• We will ask you questions while the ambulance is on its way.
• Sometimes we will give you information that can help save someone's life.
• Stay on the line until we tell you to hang up.

Using Emergency Meeting Points (EMPs)

• Emergency Meeting Points (EMPs) are easy-to-find locations.
• They make it easy to meet an ambulance in a rural or remote area.
• They are pre-arranged places to meet an ambulance.
• There are over 270 EMPs in Tasmania. They are managed by Sustainable Timber Tasmania.
• Each EMP is sign-posted on the ground.
• Many are at key road intersections.
• If you live or work in a rural area, it’s important to know the location of your closest EMP.
• You can give your EMP to 000 when you call.

Click here for a map of Tasmania's EMP locations

What to do if not a medical emergency?

If it isn't a medical emergency, do not call 000. Instead:

• Call your GP, pharmacy or after-hours medical centre.
• Visit the Tas After Hours website for information about after-hours medical care.
• Call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. It's a free service open 24 hours a day.

Smartphone apps available to help you

• If you have a smartphone, download the Emergency+ app.
• The app is free of charge.
• It gives you information about when to call 000.
• It also gives you information about whom to call in a non-emergency situation.

What the Emergency+ app does

The app helps you:

• dial the relevant number in an emergency
• describe your exact location in three words.

Learn more and download the app on the Triple Zero website

Teaching your kids to call 000

• It is important to teach your kids about 000.
• This includes when it works and when to call it.
• Tell them that 000 is the emergency number for Australia.
• They can call 000 to get help from Fire, Police or Ambulance.
• The emergency numbers on television shows maybe different.
• For example, 911 is the United States and Canada. 999 is the UK.

Help kids learn more about calling 000 on the Kids Triple Zero website