A Kyiv resident with a severe abdominal wound was told by an emergency dispatcher to wait for an air-raid siren to end before receiving medical help [1].
The incident highlights the critical tension between safety protocols for first responders and the urgent needs of casualties during active bombardments. While protocols aim to protect emergency crews from further strikes, the delay in dispatching an ambulance to a critically injured person raises questions about the efficacy of current emergency responses in war zones.
The man suffered a through-abdominal wound during a mass rocket attack on Kyiv [1]. After calling emergency services to request immediate assistance, he was informed by the dispatcher that an ambulance would not be sent until the air-raid alert was lifted [1].
According to the recording of the call, the emergency dispatcher said, "Чекайте до відбою повітряної тривоги!" which translates to "Wait until the air-raid alert is over!" [1].
The injury was a direct result of the rocket strike on the city [1]. The dispatcher's instruction followed established protocol for the duration of an active air-raid alert, which generally restricts the movement of emergency vehicles to prevent further casualties among medical staff [1].
This case has drawn attention to the risks faced by civilians who are caught between the danger of ongoing strikes and the restrictions placed on the services meant to save them. The victim's condition and the specific timing of the response have become focal points of the incident [1].
“Wait until the air-raid alert is over!”
This incident underscores the systemic dilemma facing urban emergency services in Ukraine. By prioritizing the safety of paramedics through strict adherence to air-raid protocols, the state risks the lives of victims who require immediate surgical intervention for trauma. The public reaction suggests a growing friction between the necessity of these safety measures and the expectation of immediate care during mass casualty events.
