Police would like to remind the public that emergency response to hazards and life threatening situations is a priority and use of the Triple Zero service is to be used in life-threatening or time critical emergencies only.

During the severe storm event that occurred at 2:30pm on Sunday 9 February 2014 the Police Radio Room received an unprecedented number of telephone calls for assistance on both the police assistance line 131 444 and the Triple Zero service.

Strong winds gusts caused damage to homes, powerlines, a number of roads were closed due to fallen trees and several yachts and small vessels were in difficulty.

Police responders were tasked to many emergencies including power lines and trees over roads, overturned vessels and serious motor vehicle crashes.

“The staff in the Police Radio Room had one of the busiest shifts in recent memory receiving over 1600 calls between 1pm and 6pm.

“The management of the police response was made more difficult by some people using the Triple Zero service to report power outages and other non-critical issues,” said Inspector Brian Edmonds.

“We’d like to reiterate that the number to call for non-urgent assistance is 131 444 or for assistance from the State Emergency Service during storms or flood call 132 500,”he said.