Ambulance Dispatch Centre

Ambulance Dispatch Centre

The ambulance dispatch centre is an integral part of the RAV. The Police is responsible for managing the ambulance dispatch centre, while the RAV is responsible for maintaining the dispatch centre.

Virtually every region has a co-location dispatch centre. This means that ambulance care, fire service and police staff use the same location and facilities.

The ambulance dispatch centre plays a central role in the process of ambulance care. It determines whether ambulance care is necessary and/or desirable, and the level of urgency. The ambulance dispatch centre then ensures that the correct ambulance care or other form of care is provided at the right time and in the right place. If necessary, the ambulance dispatch centre instructs the caller on what to do while waiting for the ambulance. Finally, it supports the ambulance crew en route and at the scene. The ambulance dispatch centre is therefore the coordinator of ambulance care and the gatekeeper for access to acute care.