While reviewing the functioning of the emergency response support system (ERSS), Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra on Thursday directed to make the ERSS more responsive, prompt and citizen-centric.
A unified call number, 112, for the ERSS has been functional in the State. The Chief Secretary emphasised upon reducing the response time between the receipts of a call and reaching of the vehicle at the service delivery point. In the first stage, the emergency call numbers 100 and 101 of police and fire service have been integrated with the unified number 112.
It was also learnt that apart from 100 and 101, there are different other numbers like 102 (Janani Express), 104 (health helpdesk for Covid), 108 (emergency ambulance), 181 (women helpline), and 1098 (child helpline). Besides, helpline service is also available for senior citizens and differently-abled persons.
Mahapatra directed to integrate all these services with unified ERRS in phases for making it easy for the citizens. A target was set to integrate maximum number of services with the new system by the end of August. He also directed to engage more manpower and vehicles for immediate response. The parallel helplines would gradually be closed with full functioning and stabilisation of the new ERSS.
Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjiv Chopra appraised that the State Emergency Response Centre (SERC) is now functioning round the clock with 60 call takers, 12 computer-aided systems, 151 vehicles and 400 fire service vehicles. Director General of Police Abhay, Development Commissioner Pradeep Jena, Additional Chief Secretary (Health PK Mohapatra participated in the discussions.