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Journalism of Courage
While the Good Samaritan law in the country protects bystanders who assist accident victims from civil or criminal liability, the Maharashtra Emergency Medical Services (MEMS) and Tata Motors have joined hands to strengthen emergency response efforts.
Under their Good Samaritan Initiative, 8,804 individuals have been trained to act swiftly during medical emergencies and ensure timely help to accident victims.
It collaborated with Tata Motors to develop a Good Samaritan Road Safety App last year, recognising the importance of road safety and the need for swift emergency responses at accident spots.
The Good Samaritan initiative is an important extension of the Maharashtra Emergency Medical Services (EMS) network, empowering ordinary people to become informed first responders.
“The goal is to build a community-based response network across the state,” Dr Dnyaneshwar Shelke, Chief Operating Officer, Maharashtra Emergency Medical Services (Dial 108), told The Indian Express.
“Trained volunteers are taught how to stabilise trauma patients and remain with them until the 108 Emergency Ambulance Service arrives. When a call is made to 108 within approximately one kilometre of an accident site, nearby registered Good Samaritans receive an alert via the Good Samaritan mobile app. It is like activating a ‘Code Blue’ in the community, which allows the nearest trained volunteer to reach the victim quickly,” Dr Shelke said.
Participants, who received training in first response and emergency care, can coordinate with emergency services through the Good Samaritan mobile application, and provide critical support to victims until medical personnel take over.
The Good Samaritan Road Safety App underscores the company’s focus on integrating technology with partnerships and citizen engagement to enhance India’s emergency response network, according to S J R Kutty, Chief Sustainability Officer, Tata Motors.
“The app integrates with existing ambulance dispatch systems to strengthen on-ground coordination and enhance the efficiency of emergency response networks. By enabling faster medical intervention and guiding bystanders to act swiftly and confidently, it aims to build a more responsive and resilient road safety ecosystem,” Kutty told The Indian Express via email.
“Plans are now underway for a phased expansion across Maharashtra to scale the impact and create a state-wide network of trained citizens capable of saving lives. This initiative is a step towards making safety a collective mission, ensuring protection not only inside the vehicle but also on every road across the country,” he added.
The system also enables Good Samaritans to input preliminary patient details and communicate with the control room to ensure smoother coordination.
Each registered volunteer is recognised by name in the control room, similar to how ASHA workers assist pregnant women in rural areas, a Maharashtra Emergency Medical Services officer said.
Dr Meghana Zende, Head of EMS Training and Government Relations, also said that specialised training programmes are conducted around identified trauma hotspots so that residents can deliver assistance before professional responders arrive.
According to the data from Pune district, more than 10.57 lakh emergency patients have been served since the launch of the Maharashtra Emergency Medical Services (MEMS) in 2014, up to September.
