A new app called "112" will help locate people in distress

A new app called "112" will help locate people in distress

A "112 BE" application has been available since Friday. It allows the location of any citizen who uses it to make calls by ambulances, the fire department or the police. The location of a person in an emergency situation is crucial to the intervention of the rescue services. "Under these circumstances, panic sometimes takes over and people are in such a stressful situation that they are no longer able to spell their names or indicate their whereabouts", explained Interior Minister Jan Jambon during a press conference in Heverlee (Louvain) with the Minister of Health, Maggie De Block.

When downloading the app, the user is prompted to fill in a form. The app thus allows the emergency services to immediately have access to the medical data, for example the blood group or possible health problems, of the person in question. It also offers the possibility to chat with the operator, a feature which is useful if the caller is a deaf person or someone that is hard of hearing but also in case of burglary or when in a concert, etc.

Doctors will also be able to use it in case of an assault.

The application will only work in Belgium. It is available on the "Play Store" (Android) and the "App Store" (Apple). The original telephone number, 112, will obviously remain in operation.


The Brussels Times


Copyright © 2024 The Brussels Times. All Rights Reserved.