Monte Paraiso - Noticeboard


	NOTICEBOARD
	New Emergency Number 112

A new centralised emergency telephone number is to be set up on the Costa del Sol, and the Governmental delegate for Andalucia, Luciano Alonso, says the service will be manned by operators who speak Spanish, German, English and French, which will be of great benefit to the area because of the number of foreign visitors.

The new number, 112, will not replace the existing emergency numbers but will be an alternative, and is currently being tested for use. If all goes well, it will be in full operation next month.

The services available from the 112 number will be the fire brigade, Local police, National police, Guardia Civil, medical emergencies and Civil Protection. The operator will ascertain that the call is genuine and not a hoax or a mistaken number, and will then pass the caller to the relevant service. Details of the caller's name, address, telephone number and the reason for the call will then be passed by computer to the service which attends the emergency.

Sr. Alonso says this is a fine example of the use of the latest technology to improve the services available to people in the area, and is important because it will mean problems can be resolved quickly and efficiently. He also says this type of emergency centralisation service will be used, throughout the European Community.