CC:IPS Publishes Global Recommendations for Emergency Services and PSAP on COVID-19 Outbreak

COVID-19 is a challenge for all of us in society as well as for the many services with a role in protecting and looking after us. BAPCO is in a unique position, having members from across the spectrum of Public Safety, including from the development and supply side, as well as international partner associations. We recognise the challenges and the great work being done in response to this global pandemic.

Recent discussions with our partners in the Collaborative Coalition for International Public Safety (CC:IPS) have raised the issue of the particular challenge for those in the front line of response when dealing with calls from desperate, worried and sick people. They could be in Control Rooms, Emergency Call Centres, Crisis Management Centres or Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs). There are so many names and arrangements for this crucial function. Flooded by calls in the face of a pandemic never seen before by them; public safety and emergency services professionals are responding to this outbreak by going above and beyond any normal levels of service, thinking and working for others.

As well as issues in the UK, we have found the common challenges are many and the increasing number of calls to the emergency centres and helplines is one of them. 

• In the USA, they have recorded more medical-related emergency 911 calls than during 9/11.
• In Italy, on 16 February when there was still no confirmed case of COVID-19, 5,086 calls were made to the 112 Centre in Milan. The first case was confirmed on 17 February and on 22 February the centre had already received 10, 657 calls.
• In Spain, calls to 112 Catalonia have tripled. 

In order to keep emergency services across the world informed about how their counterparts are managing this outbreak and to help them to be prepared, the Collaborative Coalition for International Public Safety (CC:IPS) has compiled a number of recommendations for Emergency Services Organisations, including Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), in order to help organisations respond and prepare in the best way possible during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Ian Thompson, CEO of BAPCO said “This comprehensive document reflects the need for global efforts and information to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic. We hope it will be valuable in helping public safety organisations and emergency services professionals navigate this outbreak in the best way possible and continue to keep us safe.”

 

Download the Recommendations Report