Triple Zero

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Triple Zero (000)
There seems to be some confusion around how to access emergency services and we've become aware that a variety of messages are being circulated throughout the community, some of which are inaccurate.

The primary number to call for emergency assistance from any phone in Australia is Triple Zero (000) - unless you are hearing or speech impaired, in which case the number is 106.

112 - This number will only work from certain mobile phones, and is not available from fixed lines or payphones. Regardless, the number is routed through to the Triple Zero (000) call centre. There is no advantage to dialling 112 over Triple Zero (000), and publicising the number only serves to confuse the Triple Zero (000) message. Rumours that 112 “goes to the head of the queue”, “is the only number that will work on a mobile phone” and “works even when there is no mobile phone coverage because it uses satellites” are completely untrue.

911 - This number is often heard on television, as many American shows broadcast in Australia. It is extremely important that they realise that this number does not routinely re-route emergency calls to Triple Zero (000).

Why do we call it Triple Zero, rather than Triple Oh? Put simply, 'Oh' is a letter and 'Zero' is a number. In today's SMS-savvy world, you will note that the letter '0' sits on the 6 key on most alpha-numeric keypads.
For our younger generation, dialling Triple Oh will result in them actually dialling 666, and they will not access emergency services through that number. 666 does not direct to Triple Zero (000) and there are no plans for this to happen in the future.

For further information visit http://www.triplezero.gov.au and http://www.triplezero.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx

Assistant Commissioner Mark Whybro AFSM, Chair of the National Triple Zero Awareness Work Group. Director Specialised Operations, NSW Fire Brigades.

From: Network News – VKS-737 Radio Network. http://www.vks737.on.net

Submitted by Ian Johnson @ October 2014