About NEOC

In Case of Emergencies Please Call 999/112

 

About the National Ambulance Service (NAS)

The National Ambulance Service is the statutory pre-hospital emergency and intermediate care provider for the state. In the Dublin area, ambulance services are provided by NAS and Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB). Aero Medical services are provided by NAS, the Irish Air Corps and the Irish Coast Guard by agreement with each organisation. At a local level, the NAS is also supported by over 300 Community First Responder schemes, responding to particular types of medical emergencies (i.e. cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, chest pain, choking and stroke) where it is essential for the patient to receive immediate life-saving care whilst an emergency response vehicle is en route to the patient. 

Private and not-for-profit providers also play an important role in transporting patients requiring access to health care services and in supporting a variety of public and sporting events. We also work closely with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) in the border areas for the benefit of the population on both sides of the border.

Our Regulatory Environment

The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) is an independent statutory agency with responsibility for standards, education and training in the field of pre-hospital emergency care in Ireland. The council publish clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and recognise institutions to provide pre-hospital emergency care training and education. In addition, PHECC maintain a statutory register of practitioners and approve pre-hospital emergency care service providers to implement CPGs. 

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is an independent authority established to drive high quality and safe care for people using our health and social care services in Ireland. HIQA’s role is to develop standards, inspect and review health and social care services and support informed decisions on how services are delivered.

About the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC)

The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) is the nerve center of the National Ambulance Service, dedicated to ensuring swift and efficient coordination of emergency medical services across Ireland. The NEOC take over 435,000 calls each year, employs over 240 staff across 1 centre over 2 locations, Tallaght, Co. Dublin and Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal. Our mission is to serve the needs of patients and the public as part of an integrated health system, through the provision of high quality, safe and patient-centred services.  This care begins immediately at the time that the emergency call is received, continues through to the safe treatment, transportation and handover of the patient to the clinical team at the receiving hospital or emergency department.

The NEOC is staffed by;

• Emergency Call Takers

• Emergency Medical Dispatchers

• Clinical Hub Doctors, Nurses and Specialist Paramedics

• Duty Control Supervisors

• Duty Control Managers

• Support Staff

• National Control Operations Manager

• General Manager

Our Role The NEOC serves as the central hub for:

Emergency Call Management: Handling all emergency calls with professionalism and urgency, ensuring timely response and prioritisation of critical incidents. Resource Coordination: Deploying of ambulance, medical personnel, and support resources, (such as Community First Responders), efficiently across diverse locations to meet real-time demands. Operational Oversight: Monitoring and managing ongoing operations to guarantee consistent quality and adherence to standards. Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilising advanced technology and analytics to improve response times, resource allocation, and service outcomes.

Our Team

At the NEOC, we have a team of highly trained and experienced call takers, dispatchers, medical professionals, and support staff working collaboratively 24/7. They are equipped with state-of-the-art communication and tracking systems to respond effectively to every call.

Technology and Innovation
The NEOC leverages cutting-edge technology to enhance its operations, including:

• Advanced Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems for accurate and rapid deployment of resources.
• GPS tracking for real-time monitoring of ambulances and emergency vehicles to ensure timely response times.
• Integration with public agencies and healthcare providers to streamline coordination and improve patient outcomes.

Our Commitment

The NEOC is committed to upholding the highest standards of emergency response and care. We continuously strive to innovate, adapt, and improve our services to meet the evolving needs of the communities we serve. We are committed to the NAS Values of ICARE:

I   Integrity

C  Caring

A  Accountability

R   Respect

E   Empathy

At the National Emergency Operations Centre, every second counts. Your safety and well-being are our top priorities.