The reminders come after several cases of residents calling Dubbo stations direct instead of making the standard triple-0.

Dubbo firefighter and station officer Jeremy Fewtrell said it was vital people called triple-0 to receive the best and most speedy response to any emergency, not only fires.

“Recently we’ve had a number of people ring the fire station to report a house fire or other emergency,” he said.

“This has the potential to create unnecessary delays getting help to people in their moment of need as we may be at another emergency.”

Station officer Fewtrell said even though the station was always manned it was a regulation that the station must inform the dispatch team which may delay the team’s response to an emergency.

“We ask that everyone sit down with their family and make sure everyone knows triple-0 is the number to call in the event of an emergency and to ask for fire, police or ambulance once the call is answered by an operator. It’s a simple message, and one whicht saves people’s lives,” station officer Fewtrell said.

He said once the call was transferred to the NSW Fire Brigade it would be answered by a specialist operator who would process the call and dispatch the nearest available fire station to the emergency.

He also said it was important for all members of the household to know how to get out of the house in the event of a fire.

“Every family should have an escape plan. This will ensure everyone in the house knows how to escape in the event of a fire and where to meet once everyone is out safely. Once you are outside call triple-0 from a safe location - perhaps a neighbour’s house,” station officer Fewtrell said.

He also said it was important to stay focused and give the operator as much information as possible, such as a street name or local landmark.

seona.cremasco@ruralpress.com