PANAJI
The State’s Fire and Emergency Services has shifted its emergency helpline to the unified 112 system, with calls made to the existing fire helpline 101 now automatically rerouted to the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS)-112 for processing and dispatch.
The Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services said the integration is intended to bring fire and rescue calls under a single emergency-response platform. The calls will be digitally recorded, documented and forwarded through the integrated system to the concerned fire station.
The move means that 112 will now be the number to dial for fire, rescue or any other emergency. The DFES has appealed to the public to use the number only for genuine emergencies, warning that false, frivolous or non-emergency calls could delay assistance to people in need.
“Under the new system, the ERSS-112 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) will receive emergency calls, process the information and dispatch them to the appropriate fire station. The digital trail is also expected to facilitate systematic monitoring, coordination and tracking of emergency responses,” it said.
During the transition and stabilisation phase, the DFES has specifically asked people not to call individual fire station landlines to report emergencies. Those numbers will henceforth be used exclusively for official and administrative purposes.
The Directorate has also urged callers to provide the 112 call taker with clear and accurate information, including the nature of the emergency, exact location, a nearby landmark and contact details, to help emergency personnel reach the site without delay.
