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Source: Close Up
The 111 emergency calling system is to be reviewed and the Government is considering setting up an agency dedicated to running the service.
ICT Minister Amy Adams today released a discussion paper
reviewing the 111 emergency calling system.
The strategic review was announced in 2010 after there were power
outages of the emergency system.
A fault in Telecom's Papatoetoe exchange due to the introduction of Telecom's XT mobile network saw 33 emergency calls go unanswered in February 2010.
The review considers the performance of the 111 system through to the point where calls are handed over by Telecom to emergency service providers.
"Having a reliable and efficient 111 service is critically important for public safety and community well-being," says Adams.
"This review will ensure the framework for the service is robust and is able to accommodate changing technologies, practices and structures."
Adams says it will look at whether current governance arrangements are suited for considering improvements and the impact of new technology.
About three million 111 calls are made each year, 25% of which are genuine calls needing to be transferred to emergency service communication centres.
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