City of Cape Town provides single emergency number

By Khanyisa Tabata
12 September 2009

The City of Cape Town has voiced its support for a single national call centre number for all emergencies.

This number is not yet operational but such facility is already available in Cape Town. This comes in form of the City’s 107 Public Emergency Communication Centre.

The three digit number, 1-0-7, can currently be dialed toll-free from any Telkom phone. Cell phone users, unfortunately, are required to dial (021) 480 7700, for which normal cellular rates apply.

When a call is received at the 107 centre, it is immediately assessed by a professionally trained emergency communicator.

“For calls originating from the Telkom network, the operator will be able to see where the person is calling from, what the person’s telephone number is, and in the case of private phones, who the subscriber is.

“The operator will also know from which service delivery area the call originates. By asking a few pertinent, pre-determined questions, the operator will be able to determine which emergency service provider is required,” said John Ellis, Manager for 107 Public Emergency Communication Centre.

After assessing the call and determining the level of priority, the necessary emergency responders are notified. This implies that there is no delay in the notification of any of the services required at the scene of the emergency added Ellis.