AFCOM
AFCOM is an acronym for the Ambulance and Fire Communication Centre at Spring Hill in Brisbane, Queensland. It forms the primary communication centre for the Queensland Ambulance Service and Queensland Fire and Rescue Service operations. The centre answers urgent triple zero calls from the public requesting fire and ambulance services. Over 150 staff coordinate the fire and rescue Service, road ambulances, Royal Flying Doctor Service and helicopter rescue. These expert communication specialists answer around 600 emergency calls per day and around 400 non-urgent patient transport bookings to deliver vital services which strengthen community resilience and safety.
Emergency Medical Dispatchers undergo intensive training in the Medical Priority Dispatch System and complete a one-year internship before becoming qualified.[1] EMDs deliver essential pre-arrival instructions and advice to the public including resuscitation and childbirth instructions. Afcom liaises closely with the Queensland Police Service and provides medical transport services to Brisbane's public and private health care providers.
Long term plans are in place to move the facility to the Queensland Department of Emergency Services headquarters on the north side of Brisbane in a new state-of-the-art building.