The 108 Ambulance Service has kept 440 ambulances ready across 12 districts in the Coimbatore zone to respond to burn injuries, firecracker accidents, road mishaps and other medical emergencies during the Deepavali festival, according to the service and local health authorities.
The emergency preparedness measures include placing ambulances at public locations, high-traffic areas and identified accident hotspots so that medical teams can reach people without delay. Emergency medical technicians, drivers and other field workers have been instructed to remain on high alert during the festival period.
Salem District Joint Director of Health Services Dr Nandini has advised all government hospitals to maintain heightened preparedness. Burns wards and trauma emergency departments have been instructed to remain ready to receive and treat patients requiring urgent care.
The health department has also directed hospitals to ensure that doctors, nurses and emergency personnel are prepared to manage injuries linked to firecrackers, fires and road accidents, as well as other medical emergencies that could occur during the festival. The report did not specify the individual districts covered by the Coimbatore zone or the exact locations where ambulances have been positioned.
Coimbatore zone manager Jayakumar urged residents to follow safety precautions while bursting firecrackers. He said adults should supervise children and advised people to avoid using firecrackers near hospitals, petrol pumps and crowded places.
Jayakumar also warned residents against driving after consuming alcohol. People facing a firecracker injury, burn injury, road accident or any other medical emergency have been asked to call the free 108 emergency number to request ambulance assistance.
The deployment places emergency transport and hospital readiness at the centre of the festival safety response. The authorities’ stated focus is to reduce the time required to reach injured people and ensure that government hospitals can receive emergency cases during Deepavali. Ambulance staff and government hospital personnel are expected to remain on alert as the festival emergency arrangements continue.
