With the large volume of emergencies reported to police and various emergency services in Johannesburg, varying from minor to life-threatening, these services are saturated which has made it imperative for residents to have a plan B in emergency situations.
Section head of Corporate Communications of the police, Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said that the 22 call centres used nationwide to take crime-related calls to the 10111 emergency number receive an average of 29 499 calls per day, equating to 20 emergency calls every minute
Naidoo added that a worryingly large percentage of these calls are hoax calls. Along with incomplete or incorrect details provided by callers include additional challenges for emergency services.
Spokesperson for insurance brand, Virseker, Elmarie Twilley said, “It’s clear that the SAPS and EMS are under severe pressure with a limited amount of resources and that, consequently, delays in attending to emergencies are often inevitable,” Twilley added.
“When a crisis hits, it’s essential to know which other channels you can use to get prompt assistance.”
Virseker offers the following tips for being better prepared for emergency situations:
- Have a contact list of emergency personnel on hand (doctors in your area, the fire brigade, private EMS providers, plumbers and electricians) in case authorities don’t respond on time.
- Make sure that your domestic worker has an emergency phone that they can use, and that they know which numbers to dial.
- When you call the SAPS or EMS, be sure to have a full description of the incident and the full address details on hand.
- Make sure that your house or plot number is clearly visible and be sure to inform local authorities when street name signs are missing.
- Make use of smartphone apps that can alert key contacts when you are in an emergency situation.
- Be part of a community forum on social media where information is shared about possible criminal activity and other dangers.
- Be part of an instant messaging group in your complex or area.
- Have your neighbours’ contact details. Make sure you know what car they drive, who is supposed to be around their house and who is not.
- Insist on stringent rules from your complex’s body corporate that demands visitors and contractors to be screened and clearly identified.
- Insist that security guards are well trained and diligent in getting visitor’s registers completed in full.
“Don’t wait until you are in an emergency situation to devise a plan B,” concluded Twilley.
Read more:
Police tips on securing your home
Safety tips on how to avoid driveway robberies
Tips for employees during a business robbery
