HOAX CALLERS ON TRIPLE 0 TO FACE JAIL
Published Wednesday, 04 March, 2009 at 05:13 PM
Minister for Emergency Services
The Honourable Neil Roberts
Tough new laws targeting hoax callers to the emergency triple 0 number could be applied if police catch a crank caller who launched a medical evacuation operation yesterday.
An Energex helicopter from the Sunshine Coast and two Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) vehicles from Gympie responded to a Triple 0 call which stated a young man had been seriously injured in a fall near Amamoor, south of Gympie.
Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said QAS investigations indicate the call was a hoax and has asked police to assist with investigations.
“It appears yesterday’s call was a hoax and an act of gross stupidity,” said Mr Roberts.
“In the worst case a crank call could cost the lives of people in a real emergency situation.”
Mr Roberts said amendments to Ambulance Service and the Fire and Rescue Service legislation mean false and malicious calls to fire and ambulance call centres can attract up to a $10,000 fine or one year’s imprisonment - and in some cases on the spot fines of $1000.
“A false call for the Fire and Rescue Service, in times of a state or fire emergency, could attract penalties up to $25,000.”
“When our teams respond to emergency calls it means valuable resources are often tied up for hours. A false or malicious call could divert valuable recourses from a real emergency.”
Mr Roberts called on anyone with information about yesterday’s hoax call to contact Police or Emergency Services.
He said genuine callers to triple zero have nothing to fear from the new infringement notice provisions and increased penalties under the act.
“For example, an infringement notice would not be issued where the caller had a genuine but mistaken belief that the emergency service was required,” said Mr Roberts.
“The Act requires an emergency services officer to investigate any lawful excuse of the caller prior to issuing an infringement notice – police can also be asked to assist with investigations,” Mr Roberts said.
Media contact: Geoff Atkinson on (07) 3247 8992
An Energex helicopter from the Sunshine Coast and two Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) vehicles from Gympie responded to a Triple 0 call which stated a young man had been seriously injured in a fall near Amamoor, south of Gympie.
Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said QAS investigations indicate the call was a hoax and has asked police to assist with investigations.
“It appears yesterday’s call was a hoax and an act of gross stupidity,” said Mr Roberts.
“In the worst case a crank call could cost the lives of people in a real emergency situation.”
Mr Roberts said amendments to Ambulance Service and the Fire and Rescue Service legislation mean false and malicious calls to fire and ambulance call centres can attract up to a $10,000 fine or one year’s imprisonment - and in some cases on the spot fines of $1000.
“A false call for the Fire and Rescue Service, in times of a state or fire emergency, could attract penalties up to $25,000.”
“When our teams respond to emergency calls it means valuable resources are often tied up for hours. A false or malicious call could divert valuable recourses from a real emergency.”
Mr Roberts called on anyone with information about yesterday’s hoax call to contact Police or Emergency Services.
He said genuine callers to triple zero have nothing to fear from the new infringement notice provisions and increased penalties under the act.
“For example, an infringement notice would not be issued where the caller had a genuine but mistaken belief that the emergency service was required,” said Mr Roberts.
“The Act requires an emergency services officer to investigate any lawful excuse of the caller prior to issuing an infringement notice – police can also be asked to assist with investigations,” Mr Roberts said.
Media contact: Geoff Atkinson on (07) 3247 8992