How do Ambo’s access houses in emergencies??

[Beachman]

Hi All,

At work we found out during the week a work colleague in another state had a bad fall during the night which resulted in some spinal damage.

This lady lives alone and from what we understand her handbag was in reach after the fall, so she used her Mobile to phone for an Ambulance.

My question is seeing she lives alone all doors were locked, she was on the bedroom floor unable to move, how do Ambo’s gain access to house?? Knocking down doors would be needed in some situations, but how do they secure the house when they leave as leaving someone’s house with a door that can’t be locked opens another can of worms.

Thanks

[Bird]

usually the fireys and cops will attend too.

The hooligan tool is what we used to use.

[achjimmy]

Good question. I would think they would attend in conjunction with police, and they would make some arrangements. But in the end your condition and health is paramount and would be there primary concern I would think.

[alnjan]

Yep they call the Police and then it becomes a job for the Police to make arrangements to secure the place

[MarkandLea]

One of these key boxes fixed outside.

http://www.kidde.com/ProductCatalog/Pages/KeySafePermanent.aspx#.Uur7qz2SxBk

Really common on elderly peoples homes now.
If you ever need to call for emergency services you tell them the key box is fitted a x location on house and the code is XXXX. Need to make it easy to make it easy for them to find.
Only catch is you need to remember the code to quote them.

These will not stop them using the above listed methods if they feel they that time is running out to get to you or the person inside.

[KieranR]

yeah very good question,
Ive often wondered the same thing, though we are not elderly, but i work in another state, If my wife was to have a fall or whatever it would be pretty hard for someone to get into our place as we have all our doors double deadbolted after we beefed up our security last year. plus they will have to climb over our booundry fence aswell as the gate wont open.

The key box is a very good idea, might look into that.

[Goose]

In NSW the ambo's call the police. The police will force the door or in some cases, the police will call out a locksmith who can pick a lock, so that it can be easily locked again. Depends on the situation and urgency.

In NSW the ambo's can't and won't force a door down or smash a window (is my understanding).

[AlanB]

In WA the Ambo's will call the Police, so then it is up to the Police to obtain entry.

[letsgoplaces]

We organised the 'panic' button for our parents which is monitored by RAA Security.
We had to get a keysafe and advise the RAA of location and code so when the paramedics need to gain access they can do so with the key as they are not allowed to gain entry by force.
I know i would be ok if the door did get kicked in to help my parents.

[Beachman]

Over the years between grandparents and parents we have had our fair share of ambulances come to the house, but there was always someone home to let them in.

When my Father got sick he was living alone, so we arranged a ‘Panic Button’ This was something he either wore around his neck or carried it with him. Basically if pushed it would activate another box attached to the home phone and would ring 5 predetermined programed numbers. If the phone wasn’t answered or went to message bank it went to the next number.  The first 4 numbers were family, but the 5th is 000 and the message said if your hearing this then I need help along with Dad’s name & address plus the location of the key lock along with the passcode. Great idea and luckily it was never needed.

I know when we did major renovations to our house, I asked all external doors to be solid and for the door jams to be hardwood with extra-long screws in the lock catch. While I’m not saying the doors can’t be kicked in, but the police better hope they ate there weetbix that morning.

[Dkirk]

I work as an ambo if we attend a " concern for welfare " it is also dispatched to police and and they will atttend. Obviously there are situations where time is of the essence and these cases are liased through the co-ordination centre to recieve permission to force entry. There are some certain situations Which I won't go into hypotheticals, but entry could be gained upon these arrising immediatelly.FB or other rescue services have bigger keys (as stated hooligan tool/ hydraulic methods) to gain entry past various obstructions. The key boxes are an excellent idea as are the personal alarm arangements. If your lucky you can't beat a good neighbour with arrangements for access. security of residence is left to family or friends on scene if possible or law enforcement and I don't know the tecnical details ( no offence but we plan on being on the way to hospital well before  this discussion), perhaps one of our members in this field can enlighten us.

This is my experience/opinion and for official advice you could contact the relevant ambulance service in your state. Hope this helped

[dazzler]

We used to jimmy the sliding door if there was one and if all ok jam it closed with a chair or broom and leave by the front door with a note to ring us.


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[Beachman]

Thanks Dkirk for your reply. When we were speaking about this subject at work this morning we were all curious on how you guys and girls gain entry.

As previously mentioned,  a broken door is nothing compared to the wellbeing of a family member. 

[crackacoldie]

When I had my heart scare in a locked hotel room, they kicked the door in.  I was happy to pay for the repair, beats dying on the floor!

[xcvator]

yeah very good question,
Ive often wondered the same thing, though we are not elderly, but i work in another state, If my wife was to have a fall or whatever it would be pretty hard for someone to get into our place as we have all our doors double deadbolted after we beefed up our security last year. plus they will have to climb over our booundry fence aswell as the gate wont open.

Geeze, that has the potential to have catastrophic consequences for some body 
I'd take my chances on being robbed before I'd live like that, just too many things that can/could/will go wrong, and that Murphy bloke is always hanging around

[#jonesy]

Generally we  attend and force entry if needed making as little damage as possible.  Afterwards if it can't be secured, we try and get relatives to attend and take over.  If no are available we get a shutter service to come and do it.

[oldmate]

I know when we did major renovations to our house, I asked all external doors to be solid and for the door jams to be hardwood with extra-long screws in the lock catch. While I’m not saying the doors can’t be kicked in, but the police better hope they ate there weetbix that morning.

Hardwood will split with the grain just as easy as anything. After replacing a lot of front door jambs after break ins I will say, timber selection has little effect. More the size of the guy trying to break in. 

[austastar]

Hi,
  Mother fell and broke her femur, crawled to the phone, (forgetting all about the mobile with the 'emergency button' she was supposed to have in her pocket) called the ambos, left instructions with the dispatcher on where to find the spare key.
Then rang us and wondered if we could come up and give her a hand.
Not bad for 97.


cheers

[Trackaprado]

Here (NSW) the ambos will call us (fireys) and we usually use something similar to these hydraulic spreaders



Failing that use of of these

[DSzuke]

In my 10 yrs in the job I have only once ever felt the need to force entry before cops and firies have arrived....

my ambo partner and I chose to place a rather large pot-plant through the sliding door, it was spectacular!

It was of course a stupid idea  as it was very difficult for the cops to secure after we'd dragged the patient out to hospital.

My understanding of the rules is we are allowed to force entry it we feel it is urgent enough but 9 times out of 10 it is not genuinely needed, so we choose to wait for help. 

The best alternative by far is the locked key holders mentioned previously with the code arriving down our computer before we even get to the scene.

[kylarama]

Quite frankly I don't care what method emergency services use to gain entry, how much damage is left and if the police have to leave it in an unsecure state. 

My 93 year old Nan took a fall a few years ago and was left lying injured on the hallway floor for over 48 hours.  Luckily a relative found before it was too late.  Nan now has a panic button and a key safe, but if emergency services deem it quicker to force entry to get to my Nan, go for it!.  I'll happily repair / clean up any damage if it was because a loved one was a priority.

Ambos have got one of the toughest jobs out there (pity their pay or resources don't reflect that!), why make it harder for them by putting rules in place about breaking a door down to help someone.  If someone wants to complain about that, then that's was police tasers are for.

[disco1]

    Yes to all of the above ways of getting into a house but one of the additional problems encountered
   
   was the large agitated dog or dogs that roamed around inside the house can still remember the large

  rottweiler that was trying to remove the bottom of a door while we were attending a cardiac arrest

  permission given to break in as the police had not yet arrived.

  Mauri.

[smartyingreen]

In SA we have the right to force entry if we believe we need to. Yes permission must be sought from higher authorities or we can wait for the coppas but they must get approval also. Yes we have to make arrangements prior to leaving for it to be secured, often initially family, coppas or occasionally one of our managers. Never done it in my 13 years as the coppas have nearly always been there to do it for us - and that way it's their problem!

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[disco1]

  Hi smartyingreen

  Over 24 years as a SA ambo spent last 9 years working in the Riverland stationed at Waikerie.

   Mauri.