Activation of the Emergency Button

Did you know that all frontline resources that have Airwave Radios are able to alert the Ambulance Operations Centre (AOC) when you are in trouble?

All resources equipped with digital radio(s) have the ability to contact the AOC directly in an emergency when crews are at risk. There is a phrase which has been adopted by ambulance services and police forces for such situations also: “Status Zero”. This indicates that you are in immediate danger, requiring immediate police assistance.

All Handset and vehicle radios are equipped with a dedicated emergency button. This button is to be pressed when you perceive that you are in immediate danger.

In the event that you are in danger and need immediate assistance you need to make the AOC aware as soon as possible. So that we can get you help and support.  

If you are not in a position to stop and speak to the AOC directly

Press and hold the Red Emergency Button on top of the handheld radio or on the front of the vehicle radio for at least two seconds. This will open your microphone and allow the AOC to hear what is going on for 12 seconds.

Where possible give any information that you can verbally to the AOC. Use the phrase Status Zero if you are in immediate danger. The AOC will make immediate contact with the police and with an ambulance officer who will be dispatched to scene.

If you are in a position to speak to the AOC directly:

Press and hold the # key on the digital radio. This will come through as a priority request to speak (RQS) within the AOC.  Give the AOC as much information as you can. Use the phrase Status Zero if you are in immediate danger.  The AOC will make immediate contact with the police and with an ambulance officer who will be dispatched to scene.

Regardless of whether you have pressed your emergency button or the priority RQS if you are able, please provide as much information as possible such as; the presence of any weapons, the ongoing situation, number of people involved, any descriptions or vehicle registrations etc.

The AOC will be verbally alerted through our CAD and Airwave systems, it does not matter which channel you are on, it will always be received into the AOC. When the emergency button has been activated the AOC will enact ambient listening. Ambient listening allows the AOC to hear what is happening without alerting anyone on scene. It is also possible to request ambient listening from the AOC if you are attending a call which following a risk assessment you deem may be necessary.  Call the AOC using 1 or # to discuss the request.  Each time ambient listening is activated this is logged and a proforma completed for auditing.

If you have any further queries, please contact AOC@eastamb.nhs.uk. 

Friday 13th May 2022