• Himachal is all set to emerge as the first state in the country to implement Emergency Response Support System (ERSS)
• Under this system, all emergency numbers, including 100 for police, 101 (fire), 102 ambulance and disaster response have been integrated into one number (112). The helpline would be monitored 24X7
• Anybody in distress, especially women, could call at 112 from landline or mobile phone or use the ERSS application to seek help. As soon as the call or message is received, the Global Positioning System (GPS) would immediately trace the location of the caller. The ERSS will also help in optimum utilisation of manpower and prompt action on all the emergency calls.
Background
The National Emergency Response System (NERS) now referred Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) was proposed by the Ministry of Home Affairs in the aftermath of the 2012 Nirbhaya rape case in Delhi on the recommendations of the Justice Verma Committee with a view to introducing a Pan-India Single Emergency Response Number ‘112’ to address all kinds of distress calls.