Patria-Kaye Aarons | 119: I'm more confused

I'm still deeply concerned about the State's ability to respond to emergencies. Both the national security and health ministries have been unable to answer what I consider critical questions. It also troubles me that it hadn't dawned on anyone prior to now to anticipate the needs of Jamaicans and address these matters in advance. These are basic emergency response requirements.

I'm no clearer or more comfortable today than I was on Sunday. The issues have compounded. Here are the developments.

What number do you call in the event that you need an ambulance?

- On Sunday night, 119 told me that they did not provide ambulance services.

- The 2018 directory lists 119 and 112 as ambulance numbers.

- An email sent to me from a firefighter after reading my article suggested that to the best of his knowledge, the number to call is 110.

- I called the Ministry of Health myself and asked the question and was told 119 was the number to call to get ambulance response.

119/112 /110/something else ... . Which is it?

Who should be answering calls for ambulance assistance?

- The firefighter who emailed me believes that calls for ambulance assistance come to firefighters. Is this so? And if it is, how is this done? Is there a firefighter call centre that receives the calls and dispatches the ambulances? Are the calls routed to individual fire stations?

- I placed two calls to 110 last Wednesday before 9 a.m. I wanted to find out if it worked. I struggled with placing the call because I would hate for my research to compromise an actual emergency. Nevertheless, I dialled. The first call didn't connect. I heard three loud beeps, and then the attempted call disconnected. The second call rang 10 times and then dropped. I called back after 9 a.m., and the call was answered ... by 119.

- All the calls I have made since last week to 110, 119 and 112 have been answered by 119 emergency. I'm confused.

- I've been reliably informed by a contact Inside 119 that the very people who work there don't know that 110 and 112 calls are being routed to them, and they are unable to dispatch ambulances and ill-equipped to advise about ambulance assistance.

What's the role of 119 in accident response?

- Both a phone call and email apology I received from a high-ranking member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force suggest that 119 is supposed to be able to offer assistance. I was told that additional investigations were being carried out and I would be updated. I'm waiting. I'm looking for details pertaining to not only ambulance dispatching, but also traffic management, report taking and possible assistance with transporting the injured.

Why is 119 recommending private ambulances?

- I understand that there is actually a list of private ambulance numbers posted at 119 dispatch that they recite whenever calls come in for ambulance help.

- I've been contacted by several persons subsequent to my article who indicated painful experiences contacting ambulance services recommended by 119 that have no ambulances available. At least two of those instances shared have ended with the injured person dying.

Are there government-owned ambulances?

- I've been made to understand that only five of Jamaica's 14 parishes currently have a functioning ambulance-response system. The capital has none.

- I know I have seen MOH-branded ambulances in Kingston, as recently as last week. Why can't they respond to accidents? What purpose do they serve if not rushing to save Jamaicans in trouble? What are they being used to do daily?

- Privately owned ambulances are for-profit businesses. They will not move unless they are assured of who will foot the bill for their services. What should poor people do?

I need answers. We all need answers. Urgently.

- Patria-Kaye Aarons is a television presenter and confectioner. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and findpatria@yahoo.com, or tweet @findpatria.