The life-saving efforts of NSW paramedics are being hampered by hoax callers who have wasted their precious time on more than 150 occasions this year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A Wollongong crew was recently detained for seven minutes when they responded to a fake call about a 25-year-old police officer being stabbed, an ambulance spokeswoman said yesterday.
In Warrawong last month, paramedics responded to reports of a house fire where a 10-year-old male had suffered burns to his leg.
Two ambulances, NSW Police and Fire and Rescue were all called and the paramedics were cancelled on route, the spokeswoman said.
Further south in Broulee, four ambulances were cancelled en route to reports a person had been shot and stabbed in a brawl.
The caller said others were armed with bats and even gave the description of the wounds and first aid efforts.
NSW Ambulance chief executive Ray Creen yesterday called on the public to think again before pranking triple-0.
"Calls can be traced so hoaxers need to think twice before making false reports," Mr Creen said.
"Hoax or non-genuine calls are a drain on our resources, especially when we require multiple ambulance responses."
Health Minister Jillian Skinner said diverting the life-saving care of paramedics was a disgraceful act, which came with serious consequences.
"Paramedics have no choice but to respond to triple-0 calls even if they suspect a hoax," she said.
"For them, patient care comes first."
The maximum penalty for such calls is three years' imprisonment, with fines of up to $30,600.
"More than 100 people have been found guilty of making a false call to an emergency service number since 2010," Mrs Skinner said.
