I blogged about David Iredale and his tragedy in Australia a couple of weeks ago. Here's an update. I hope they address the cell phone location problems too. I really really do. If we could only put a GPS chip in all cell phones. ALL cell phones so that if a cell phone uses 9-1-1 it immediately gives a location. The technology is out there. And it's not expensive. Some have said that the ACLU and others have problems with that because of privacy issues. Sorry. If your cell phone dials 9-1-1 someone is going to find you whether you want to be found or not. David obviously wanted to be found. Denise's murderer obviously didn't. Finding either location would've saved a life. Finding both locations would have saved 2 lives. David's and Denise's.
Article:
UPDATED | May 07, 2009
Article from: Australian Associated Press
THE NSW government says it will accept a coroner's recommendations to fix problems at triple-zero call centres after an inquiry into the tragic death of a teenage bushwalker.
Deputy State Coroner Carl Milovanovich was scathing of the NSW Ambulance Service call centre in handing down his findings into the death of David Iredale.
The 17-year-old student died during a planned three-day trek through the Blue Mountains National Park with two friends from Sydney Grammar School.
The trio was undertaking the December 2006 bushwalk as part of requirements for The Duke Of Edinburgh Awards scheme operated by their school.
Mr Milovanovich found David died from "the effects of dehydration", but he was critical of the triple-zero call centre's treatment of the desperate teenager.
Among his recommendations, the coroner called for all ambulance service call centre operators to have access to paramedical advice.
He also urged a widespread review of the training and protocols used by ambulance service triple-zero operators.
Health Minister John Della Bosca said the ambulance service would accept all the recommendations.
"This is a tragic case and the evidence given to the inquiry was very concerning - the government accepts there have been deficiencies in the triple-zero service,'' Mr Della Bosca said.
"The government will urgently form the working party recommended by the coroner and begin analysis of the issues identified by the coroner.''
Mr Della Bosca said work would start immediately to address the limitations of the ambulance service's existing software and database to be more effective in taking, logging, recovering and transferring emergency calls.
AAP
