Hard to report an emergency in Jamaica

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Our nation's emergency reporting system (119/110, soon to be changed to 911/112), needs to be streamlined to be on par with those of other countries. Why is it so hard to report an emergency in Jamaica?

I had the unfortunate need to report an emergency (a fire) on November 9 in Trelawny and dialled 110. The phone was answered after about seven rings, but I was the only person on the line. I subsequently redialled, only to be met with the same long wait and then a somewhat polite answer.

I began to explain the nature of the emergency and was promptly transferred to the Police Area One control (for some strange reason) in Montego Bay and had the displeasure of speaking to a rude policewoman.

Upon, for the third or so time, explaining the nature of the emergency, I was promptly and most distastefully scolded and lectured on my not keeping up with time and that to report a fire is 112. She also sought to find out if I wanted the police to come there and "beat out the fire". I never allowed the opportunity to register my disgust at this woman's behaviour and my dissatisfaction with the system to pass, so I did.

I also pointed out to this ill-tempered woman that I was transferred there after dialling 110. For the second time, I was having the conversation with the phone. This time, what were the odds of on a regular day, a caller experiencing two dropped calls in a row?

Three calls and the fire is yet to be reported.

I was left with the questions: Why the confusion in reporting an emergency? Why can't we have one dedicated number for reporting all emergencies, regardless of the nature? And why is everybody so angry? Someone faced with this unfortunate need should not be saddled with the added stress of trying to figure out which of the many numbers to 'try' - 112, 119, 911, 110, 867-5309.

Our CSEC math passes should suggest to us that we, as a nation, tend not to be very good with numbers. Therefore, let's use one stone and kill 'a whole heap a bird'. Use one number.

But first let's deal with the unprofessional conduct of persons at the front line of the response of the nation's emergency services. Emergencies are stressful situations, therefore professionalism goes a long way in aiding to ease the stress experienced by individuals in such circumstances.

All in all, I am not in any way pleased with the system, which is strewn with confusion, unprofessional behaviour and inefficiency. Jamaicans tend to blame the fire service for their customary late arrival at the scene of various emergencies when the possibility of the inefficiency of the entire reporting system could have been the main contributing factor.

The police, on the other hand (from my encounter with that less-than-savoury personality at the Area One control call centre), I am not in any position to pick up for. I am not using this one individual to judge the lot, but I am using this one experience to draw a conclusion that professionalism needs to be priority in at least the emergency reporting service.

How can we remember the need to rebuild our trust in the men and women sworn to serve, protect and reassure when the few encounters we have with them as decent law-abiding citizens leave us with an experience worth forgetting?

Kamron Bennett, Trelawny, kamron@cmit.com.jm