Soon, dial 112 for all distress calls

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 17

The single emergency helpline number, 112, will soon be launched in Chandigarh. People in distress will have to call the single number for availing of the services of the police, ambulance and the Fire Department.

The control room for the purpose will be set up on the second floor of the Police Headquarters in Sector 9, Chandigarh, which will be used as a common platform for all emergency services. “The work to set up a fully equipped control room has already begun. The number will be finally launched soon,” said a police official.

The police official said since there would be a single number for all services, there would be around 20 cops, who would be able to take calls related to law and order simultaneously, besides the staff that would take calls related to fire emergency and ambulance. “Depending on the need and frequency of calls received, the number can be increased,” said the police official.

The single emergency number will be similar to 911 in the US, which is a single emergency number for all services.

At present, different emergency, communication and response systems are in place such as police (100), fire brigade (101) and ambulance (102).  

Police officials said once the single emergency number was launched, an awareness drive would be carried out to publicise the number. The number would also be printed on all PCR vehicles and at police stations, besides on ambulances and fire engines.

The system will be able to track the location of the caller that will be shared with the nearest help centre. Sources said it would also be linked with a panic button on the mobile phone.

 How it will work

• Emergency services, including police, Fire Dept & ambulance, on a single number 112
• This will end confusion among callers, who at times end up dialling 100 in fire cases
• Trained employees at the control room to transfer information to the department concerned
• Track caller location, give info to nearest help centre; cellphone to have panic button 
• The single number will be similar to 911 in the US for all emergency services.