ABU DHABI // A high-ranking official at National Ambulance has vowed to take action against pranksters calling the emergency hotline.
“Regrettably, people do misuse a precious resource and if this happens, we are forced to take action, which we have done in the past and will continue to do,” said Robert Ball, chief executive of the service.
Mr Ball said 36 per cent of all calls to the 998 emergency hotline are either hoaxers or wrong numbers.
He highlighted a recent case in which a resident in the Northern Emirates would phone control room call handlers almost almost daily just for fun.
“He was making inappropriate and offensive comments,” said Mr Ball. “The man would impersonate women or even tell the call handler ‘I love you’.”
The caller was tracked down with the assistance of the police.
Mr Ball reminded members of the public that all phone conversations were recorded and that anyone caught misusing the service could land themselves in trouble.
“We have taken action against people who have misused the service,” he said.
Many residents also do not seem to know that the hotline is limited to emergencies and not minor ailments.
“It is a first line response for emergency situations,” said Mr Ball.
He said many callers to 998 request ambulances for minor issues or make requests that have nothing to do with health.
“We once got a call saying there was a problem with electricity not working and another call from someone saying they had an old dressing that needed changing.
“The most ridiculous call we got was from someone who said they had a medical complaint –cold feet.”
“Others phone to test if the number actually works.
“Some people call us by mistake and do not pick up when we call them back,” said Mr Ball.
“The problem is that if we have their address, we have to go there. This potentially keeps us from showing up at a real emergency.”
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