Many people aren’t really aware of all the emergency helpline numbers when any emergency is been encountered by them. Central Government has launched the number 112, with this single emergency number one can get benefit of all the other existing helpline numbers. This number is an integration of Police, Fire and women helpline numbers. The single number for emergency is similar to the 911 in Unites States.
India being a country with 82 % literacy rate, still many people aren’t really aware of all the emergency helpline numbers when any emergency is been encountered by them.
Indian Central Government has announced 112 as a single Emergency Number to avail the benefits of all other existing helpline numbers of Police, Fire and Women Helpline in the state.
In the United States, 911 is used as the Universal Emergency Number that anyone across the country can use to gain access emergency services. According to National Emergency Number Association, a professional organizationfocused on 911 policy, technology, operations, and education, the intense interest in the concept can be attributed primarily to the recognition of the characteristics of modern society, i.e increased incidences of crimes, accidents, and medical emergencies, inadequacy of existing emergency reporting methods, and the continued growth and mobility of the population.
Ziqitza Rajasthan and ZHL Rajasthan explains a single emergency number under the Emergency Response Support System makes it easier for people travelling across the States and Union Territories since they don’t have to remember the local emergency numbers of every place. The 112 is easy to remember and moreover it is the only emergency you need to remember in India. This is important because people emergency number confronted with an emergency can be stressed or even in panic.
Dr. Datar from Ziqitza Healthcare Ltd (ZHL) says the existing emergency numbers such as 100 for police, 101 for fire, 108 for health services, the women’s helplines 1091 and 181, the child helpline 1098, etc. is now gradually getting integrated under 112. A 112 India app has also been launched through which users, after registering, can reach out to police, health, fire and other services.
To trigger an emergency response, you can dial 112 from phone or press power button on smartphone 3 times quickly to activate a panic call to Emergency Response Centre. You can also visit ERSS website for the state and lodge emergency email or send SOS alert to state ERC.Government plans to aim a response time of 10 to 12 minutes to any call, which is sought to be brought further down to around 8 minutes within the next 6-8 months. Initially, 16 states and Union Territories have planned to roll-out the service.16 states and Union Territories include Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Puducherry, Lakshwadeep, Andaman, Dadar Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Jammu and Kashmir.
112 India’s all in one emergency helpline number also offers panic call features
- Citizens using smartphones: In any emergency situation, you need to press the power button three times quickly on your smartphones to activate a panic call to the Emergency Response Center.
- Citizens using normal phones: You need to long press number ‘5’ or ‘9’ to activate a panic call through your normal phones.
112 India emergency helpline mobile app– A “112 India” mobile app by the Ministry of Home Affairs was also be launched on Google Playstore and Apple store. For women and children, “112 India” mobile app provides a special ”SHOUT” feature which alerts registered volunteers close to the victim for immediate assistance. Ziqitza has been in a field of an emergency service since 2005 and is operating 104 Health helpline, 102 and 108 Ambulance in many states of India and has also operated 181 Punjab Police. Ziqitza Limited has always highlighted the need of a centralized emergency number which is now a great help for the citizens of India as they now need to remember only one emergency number at the time of distress. The call which will land on 112 desk will further get connected to respective call centers as per the emergency.