Paramedics can sometimes struggle to find remote or rural properties. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Rural Emergency Calls

Paramedics, first responders seek clear directions for rural calls

Mar 15, 2023 | 2:00 PM

In an emergency situation, first responders will tell you every minute counts. They’ll also tell you they can lose those precious minutes when they’re having to find a remote location using unclear directions.

Parkland Ambulance is asking people in rural areas to make sure they know exactly how to tell people to easily find them in case of an emergency. Unfortunately, they often see people using outdated landmarks or giving directions that a GPS can’t follow.

“We often encounter it, especially when there are young people or where there are visitors,” said Lyle Karasiuk, director of public affairs with Parkland Ambulance. “Landmarks change, the bush lines change, a grain bin might be gone in a windstorm.”

As a remedy to this, Karasiuk offered a simple solution: take a piece of paper, write down a series of clear directions, and put it near the phone, on a message centre, or on the refrigerator, or wherever it can be easily found.

“Put your legal land location for the house,” Karasiuk said. “Not the farmyard, not the outbuildings, the house. Then, put your name and a phone number. That’s a good place to start. Please provide us with a primary and secondary set of instructions that are easy to read.”

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Sometimes, people might offer directions based on things that can move. Karasiuk has heard of people using cows as landmarks, for instance.

“Use fixed landmarks, a school or a church,” Karasiuk said. “Call roads by the names that the RMs call them. Don’t call them by something the locals call it or what it used to be called ten years ago. Call it by a recognized name. When we’re plugging those directions into our GPS, or when we’re asking other partners to come and help, it’s important for us to have those accurate, clear directions.”

Much of the advice Karasiuk offered is geared toward younger people, as they might come home and find someone has collapsed or fallen down a flight of stairs. But having these directions laid out is good for people of any age, because in an emergency situation you might not be thinking clearly.

“You’re excited, you’re scared, you’re frightened,” said Karasiuk. “So, having these directions posted at home that the family knows, visitors know, or its easy to find in a time of emergency, is so, so very important.”

Karasiuk added weather can often wipe out rural roads or make them impassable, so other variables cause problems getting somewhere, but most of the time it’s having clear, concise directions that matters most. He also said having an alternate route in case a road is closed is a good idea.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP