A new 24-hour crisis and line has been launched by the civil rights organision AfriForum to assist its 117 000 members and their families in emergencies.
AfriForum 911 was launched as a free service in the light of the growing crime crisis in the country and because of the fact that the police was sometimes slow in responding to emergencies, AfriForum executive chief Kallie Kriel announced on Sunday.
“Where government fails in its basic duty to ensure the safety of its citizens, we must start doing what we can ourselves in an attempt to secure the safety of our members,” Kriel said in a statement.
The call centre, where the crisis line would be manned and operational 365 days a year, would, when an emergency call is received, immediately contact the police, the callers’ neighbours and family, security companies and the closest AfriForum community safety structure or neighbourhood watch, on behalf of the caller, to request help and assistance.
Medical emergencies could also be reported to the crisis line where an ambulance would be contacted on behalf of the caller, Kriel added.
AfriForum members could register the names and contact details of neighbours and those to be contacted in emergencies at www.afriforum911.co.za.
“Because members can register details about their medical aid, blood groups and allergies beforehand, it would assist greatly with medical assistance in emergencies,” Kriel said. He added that telephonic trauma counselling and medical advice would also form part of the service offered by the crisis line.
As part of the service, Kriel said, a green Afriforum 911 armband displaying the emergency line number, would be sent to every member of the organisation.
“Each armband also has a unique number, linking the members’ specific medical and other details.
“This will ensure that the member, even if unconscious, could be identified,” Kriel said, adding that armbands could also be supplied to children of members and could therefore also be used to trace the parents of children through the crisis line in emergency situations.
A video with more details about AfriForum 911 can be viewed here.
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