There will soon be a fully functional non-problematic emergency telephone line in place for Dominica.
Government Productivity Assistance Parry Bellot has pledged that the new and improved services will be installed next year.
This comes on the heels of claims that there were difficulties in contacting the fire department during a major fire last month.
“Many Dominicans were very concerned over the recent tragic incident where an elderly person lost her life by fire and from the facts we know it could really be avoided. It has to do with an emergency number for the fire and ambulance and police that don’t seem to be working well,” he said.
He said recently Telecommunications Company LIME issued a statement in the media claiming that the emergency line was in place and working well.
However Bellot said while this is so, the system is no longer appropriate for the environment.
“If we cannot have an emergency line installed that works in the country then there is something really wrong with our productivity,” he explained.
sorry, I mean KIND
well said especially “Putting legislation in place whereby non compliance with 9-1-1 rules will be rendered punishable offenses with steep fines”
the telecoms operators at police HQ are verbally abused by people who have absolutely nothing to do.Out of every 100 calls to emergency I bet you 95 are prank.I have been calling for legislation to be passed in the laws to address such .If laws are passed where a prank call to the emergency numbers are traced and the caller is fined let’s say $150.00 each call and their names published in all leading newspapers eventually they will cease from such.For the users who prank calls with cell phones that have no SIM cards, then the authorities should have laws in place so as to allow the service providers to trace the IMEI (serial#)
of these phones and block them from getting service on all networks here.(Which can be done)
this would definitely Aid in keeping people off the prank .
“If we cannot have an emergency line installed that works in the country then there is something really wrong with our productivity,” he explained
Said the Productivity Assistance….who,where,when and how did they come up with that title. I would really like to see his job description!!!!
AMAZING !!!SO PARRY BELOT FORMER PRO OF THE FREDOM GOVERNMENT IS PRODUCTIVITY WHAT??!!
well the fredomites have found a way to be reistalled in the driving seat in thus Labour ???!or should we say cum freedom government enjoying the perks at the tax payers expense ,, BRAVO SKERRITT
It is all well and good saying that the system will be operational next year, but have we at all taken all the required steps at ensuring a successful commissioning and continuity of such a service? In my mind, such a projection in terms of a date is only a “Pie in the sky” and is most laughable. It states that one hasn’t done his homework. It therefore means that you may only thinking about providing such a service only to Roseau.
For an island as large as Dominica with such difficult terrain, in order to be effective, here are some of the things that the authorities need to consider before wildly announcing dates:
• Identifying and hiring the services of an experienced coordinator for the project
• Funding for the project
• Identifying space within which the service will be operated
• Identifying and recruiting a reasonable amount of operators who can man the service on a 24/7 basis
• Proving the required training for the operators
• The Coordinator will then have to work alongside personnel from the Planning Department in order to identify various lots, homes, buildings and their ownership island wide
• Ensuring that every property owner registers with 9-1-1
• Assigning a number to each lot and or buildings island wide
• Naming of every street on the island, be it Roseau, Vieille Case or Kalinago Territory
• Working alongside Planning Department and experienced persons to create a map both in print and digital of the entire island, giving account for all roads, lots, buildings, land marks and what have you
• Ensuring that each individual knows his or her address
• Ensuring that each road is clearly marked with reflective road signs
• Ensuring that each home owner or business owner is issued with reflective house numbers
• Ensuring that each building is clearly marked with those issued house numbers
• Putting legislation in place whereby non compliance with 9-1-1 rules will be rendered punishable offenses with steep fines
• Ensuring that each individual registers his or her number with the service
• Ensuring that the police, fire service and medical personnel are properly trained
• Ensuring that an operational radio system is in place, with repeaters installed island wide for full coverage
• Ensuring that every officer on duty is issued a hand held radio
• Ensuring that every emergency vehicle has a base radio installed therein
• Ensuring also that every police station, fire station, clinic, hospital and even the disaster office has a working base radio system installed
MR. BELLOT I AM OUTRAGED AT THIS. THERE IS AN EMERGENCY LINE IN DOMINICA THAT WORKS. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO SHOULD MAN IT ARE NOT DOING THEIR JOBS!!!PLAIN AND SIMPLE
I REMEMBER ONCE CALLING TO REPORT A FIRE AND THE PHONE JUST KEPT RINGING OFF THE HOOK; WHEN SOMEONE FINALLY ANSWERED THE PERSON WAS MORE “DOTISH” THAN THE WORD ITSELF
SO MR BELLOT SPARE US!!!! AND COME BETTER THAN THAT. AND BY THE WAY IF THIS IS AN URGENCY – WHEN EXACTLY IS IT GOING TO BE DONE ? AND WHY THE HELL IN AN EMERGENCY THE FIRE TRUCK MUST TAKE THE NORMAL ROUTE??
I PRAY THAT VERNIE’S SOUL RESTS IN PEACE
In my mind< during an emergency, the emergency vehicle must take the shortest route.
Of course Jespen, and let the police sue them if they dare !
Apart from the emergency 999 number not being manned as it should, there is also the unethical problem / practice of police officers calling into this line for free calls and spending ridiculously long period of time on these free calls at the expense of people’s lives wellbeing.
These numbers have call waiting so it never appears busy. But these unprincipled policemen, their families and friends who abuse these emergency lines are so insensitive to the public’s and island’s security, safety, etc, can’t be bothered to answer these incoming emergency calls when they hear the “beep” indicating an incoming call.
These emergency 999 numbers should not be made to terminate at the Police Head Quarters but at the Fire Department because the fire officers are much more responsible and professional in general.
The authorities need to look into this abuse with a great sense of urgency. It is very likely that in a more civilized country, someone might have been charged with manslaughter for the death of aunty Vernie.
you sound like a police communication operator that know the ropes about what is going on there!
Apart from the emergency 999 number not being manned as it should, there is also the unethical problem / practice of police officers calling into this line for free calls and spending ridiculously long period of time on these free calls at the expense of people’s lives wellbeing.
These numbers have call waiting so it never appears busy. But these unprincipled policemen, their families and friends who abuse these emergency lines are so insensitive to the public’s and island’s security, safety, etc, can’t be bothered to answer these incoming emergency calls when they hear the “beep” indicating an incoming call.
These emergency 999 numbers should not be made to terminate at the Police Head Quarters but at the Fire Department because the fire officers are much more responsible and professional in general.
The authorities need to look into this abuse with a great sense of urgency. It is very likely that in a more civilized country, someone might have been charged with manslaughter for the death of aunty Vernie.
I hope people do not abuse this new emergency line because last week was listening to a pastor program on q.One of his Faithful guest was saying how she use the emergency line to get back on track when nature call because she got people of same faith working there..This is not right.
Finally, there will be an emergency line soon. This is good news. Something sad had to occur prior to one being implemented. Well, better late than never.
I do hope that this line will be a three- digit number and will be manned 24/7.
Some of you may not be acquainted with emergency lines and how to quickly place an emergency call.
The Chief of Police and Fire Chief must educate the public. If possible a written directive should be issued to each household, if this is not expensive. There are those who do not listen to the general news or read the newspapers.
Every one is responsible for doing their part. Time is important. When an emergency occurs, do not stand around and stare at the scene. Do not hesitate to telephone the appropriate department. Immediately place an emergency call to the correct department.
Emergency lines are to be kept free – for only emergency. Hope no one else will utilize the line and tie it up.
To the people of DA some of whom are too quick to criticize every proposal and implementation, when there is an emergency and you have a reason to call in there is a strict protocol to be followed for immediate action. Give your name, phone number, address, stating “briefly”, the nature of the call and address of the person affected, if it is not a member of your household. In the case of a vehicular accident, briefly provide what occurred and name the area. This will greatly assist to get help as soon as possible. Do not frustrate the person who answers the telephone and hold him/her back from promptly directing the call to the appropriate department for immediate assistance.
I state this with also Vernie Julien in mind and what she went through. I visualize her feelings at that time and prior to succumbing to either smoke inhalation or the flames. How sad. I continue to have her in mind. Who knows, she, in her spiritual world inspires with the help of God.
you a or what – so long we have an emergency line in dominica
but where mamsel justice come out na..your comments reek of ignorance.
Why can’t Dominica adopt the 911 Emergency Telephone System like most other countries have? Do we not have the technology and capacity to do so?
I see no problem having the command center for such a system at the Fire Department; after all, this is a department with officers on duty 24/7
pARRY I NEED THAT 4 THOU TO PAY MY SCHOOL FEE
Before we take Parry Bellot’s words as official, we ought to consider or ask him what’s the basis for his statement that a new arrangement will be put in place. Has he consulted with the major bodies involve? Has there been a meeting and an agreement on the way forward among the major parties (LIME, the Police, the Fire Dept.)responsible for the emergency line? Has the Government reviewed the situation and taken a decision on the matter? In short, we need to know whether Parry is talking from an informed position and is reflecting an official Govt’s decision on the matter.
@ Conscious
People must utilize their common sense. I am certain that Parry Bellot did not take it upon himself to make such a statement. I would think that all government officials and the Fire Department were consulted and that they held such a meeting. Should every meeting and what transpired therein be reported to the public? What is important, DA/Roseau will soon have an emergency phone. This is what is important and not the details of how this decision came to fruition and who were involved in making it.
Come on J & T. Do we need a committee meeting and consultations for this when that line is already in place.? I’m left with a nasty feeling that Parry’s comments are a diversionary move to divert our attentention away from a gross case of negligcence.
100 years too late !
Parry I hope next year is not next December. It had to take a death by fire for you guys to even think of keeping the people of Dominica Safe. Anyway thanks to your “Productivity” you are at least thinking about it.
ooh wow.. wasnt there a time when we had 119? I remember as a child paging the directory that I saw 119 for emergencies.
When this emergency # is set up, plz plz have people available to answer we need to hear at the other end of the line “911 whats your emergency?” And also have first responders, whether its the fire dept or the police, have one of them be the 1st one the call goes to and hopefully the emergency will be looked at as an emergency
Be it 911 or 999 it will only work if it is manned 24/7 with more than one operator on duty at any given time.
and if they answer !! cuz i know they don’t
@ FED UP DOMINICAN
It goes without saying. Do you think that this will not occur and after the fire in Roseau? Be confident.
DNO, pl tell us Dominicans since that appointment of this productivity assistant is this the only thing he can point a finger at, and at what cost to the tax payers? Parry Bellot only claim to fame for the past six months as productivity assistant is a non problematic emergency line. Are there many more lucky persons like parry bellot? pl inform us
@ CIA on the watch
All you think of is cost, cost and cost. The emergency line is extremely important.
Your statement is irrelevant. So what if he came to fame a few months ago. If he is the relative of the Parry Bellot and others whom I knew in DA, he was already well-known and famous. He does not need any job to make him famous and well-known. What about you?
Parry craves recognition but that is not to say that he is famous!
There was nothing wrong with the line.! But even a hundred lines are useless if they are not constantly manned!That’s where the problem lies Parry and you know it.After all, if we can provide 24/7 armed protection for one man we should be able to have 24/7 staffing of a national emergency line. Leave well alone. It does not need a “productivity guru” to fix that.
just make it 911 because its already international.
PS: its worth nothing it no one is there to answer.
It is just a pity that Aunty Vernie had to lose her life for talk of an emergency line coming into play. I pray that all that talk is not like diarrhea of words.
I HOPE AUNTY VERNIE START HAUNTING THAT FIORE STATION SO NOBODY FALLING ASLEEP THERE FROM NOW ON.
Aunty Vernie will never haunt anyone even for this very good reason. She was too king a lady for that. I think everytime there is a fire anywhere, esp. Roseau she will cause the alarm to go off even before the telephone rings. May her rest in peace.
@ Watching
Take heart. Some situations are beyond our control. A loving God knows best. He has the answer. Just hope that it does not happen to anyone else in DA.
Oh So that is Parry’s official positiion? Government Productivity Assistance? Who is Parry assisting? What does his job duties entail? Is the position a justifiable one or is it just a reward for being skerrits assistant public defender? Assistant to Tony that is….
Oh so-called Lady, keep quiet! What is it to do with you and how does it affect you?
Guess who pays Mr.Bellot??? We the Taxpayers so Lady has every right to inquire how her money is being spent!!!!!!
So Mr. Parry Bellot is Dominica’s Productivity Assistant. Can Someone please tell me what this job entails ? This is going too far and those of us who work so hard to produce without an ssistant i may say do so pro bono most of the time ,
Sorry Government’s Productivity Assistant
Radio talk shows are very effective afterall. They put pressure in the right places.
TELL THAT O MY UNCLE DR. PETERS