NOT everyone is aware that all levels of government, in partnership with the emergency services across Australia, have released a free app to assist people in an emergency.

The app, Emergency + has a number of icons and buttons to push which allows residents to connect to the most relevant emergency service such as Policelink or SES depending on the situation.

Acting Snr Srg Colin McLean from the Biloela Police encourages the community to have the app installed on their devices so, in the event that they need assistance from any of the emergency services, it is readily available with a quick response.

“In some instances time is a crucial factor which can save lives and it will also help keep anyone involved in an incident calmer in the fact that they can rapidly access the assistance,” Snr Srg McLean said.”

“If you’re on a road with no signs or you’re in a national park, it will tell you exactly where you are.

“Also, if you are on a large rural property and you need a paramedic they can land a helicopter with the GPS coordinates.”

There are additional numbers on the different tabs on the phone which have additional important numbers including poisons help line.

“It uses the existing location services in mobile devices and configured it around a very easy and functional screen,” Snr Srg McLean said.”

“The benefit in rural areas is that it will tell you the numbers of the adjacent properties and the road name.

“If you attend an incident and there is no service, you take a screen shot and then go the nearest high ground or use the radio to then pass the location to Comms.”

Emergency + can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store or the usual Android stores.