National Ambulance Responds to Increase in Calls Resulting From Weather Conditions

Abu Dhabi, 12 January 2020: National Ambulance Communications Centre received 565 calls over the past weekend which saw heavy rain and flooding in the Northern Emirates. This was an increase of 13% above the normal daily rate. 393 calls required an ambulance to be dispatched. 95 calls were related to motor vehicle accidents, one of which required the activation of the MoI Air Wing.

Ahmed Saleh Al Hajeri, National Ambulance CEO confirmed it raised emergency preparedness and continues to take proactive measures to deal with the current weather conditions, with National Ambulance teams working around the clock to respond. He also confirmed that National Ambulance, in cooperation with its strategic partners, immediately implemented the integrated pre-emptive emergency plan which was activated following an alert from the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority and data provided by the National Center of Meteorology and Seismology.

National Ambulance urges the community and road users to be extra cautious; drive safely, reduce speed and leave a safe distance for breaking; avoid dangerous areas and follow the advice of emergency services and local authorities. People are also reminded to call 998 or use the NA 998 mobile App for emergency ambulance in the Northern Emirates.

National Ambulance provides emergency pre-hospital care in the Northern Emirates through the dedicated 998 emergency ambulance number and NA 998 smart application. Its primary task is to handle public medical emergency response and provide high standards of emergency pre-hospital care to citizens, residents and visitors across the Emirates of Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al-Khaimah and Fujairah.