The iER contact centre is based at the Affinity Health building and the application and service is free of charge.
Murray Hewlett, who is the CEO of Affinity Health, envisioned the concept of helping those in need when they are unable to help themselves.
The dream became a reality when Hewlett met with chairperson of the Ekurhuleni Central Cluster Community Policing Forum (CPF) Reza Patel in 2016, who shared the same dream of helping the community.
Patel, who is the founder of the Civilian Crime Intelligence Network (CCIN), brought his team on board with the dream, and the iER application – which can be downloaded through Android Play Store or the Google App Store for free – was developed.
Once the application has been downloaded, the user fills in necessary details on their profile to assist the iER consultants when they are assisting the user during an emergency.
“Users can then action this free-of-charge application and service by clicking on the type of emergency they are in based on the options available,” Hewlett said.
These emergency options vary from hijacking, a broken-down car, crime reporting and fire, to general alerts and many more.
There are two levels of security which are notified after the alert is sent; the first goes to your personalised selected list of members and the second goes to the contact centre, which then follows the protocol of contacting the user.
The contact centre then makes contact with the relevant departments needed to assist the user wherever they are, as efficiently as possible.
“Sometimes you can travel and your car breaks down, but you are not sure exactly where you are to ask for assistance,” Hewlett said.
Therefore, when the emergency button is pressed, the contact centre is able to locate your whereabouts and find the nearest help available to assist you.
Patel has cautioned that the application does not in any way replace state lines such as 10111 and 10117.
iER has also created job opportunities for several people who now work in the contact centre.
“We are, however, in need of medical practitioners and nurses who can assist us on a voluntary basis when required in the future,” said Patel.
The iER will be officially launched on March 11; however, the application is already available for downloading.
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