Operating an emergency number places high technical demands. To ensure that Victim Support and the Dargebotene Hand can work together smoothly on the 142 number in future, the two organizations are now using the same telephone service provided by Blue Call. Samuel Widmer, founder and CEO of Blue Call, explains the advantages of this and the challenges that arose during the preparations.
Numerous Dargebotene Hand regional offices have been working with Blue Call for years to operate the emergency number. For this reason, Opferhilfe beider Basel has now also switched its telephony to Blue Call. This greatly simplifies cooperation for the operation of the 142 number. Same solution, same handling, uniform statistics, common language, simplified internal communication and transfer: these are some of the advantages that tipped the scales in favor of switching to Blue Call.
Why is Blue Call the right telephony solution for the emergency number 142?
Samuel Widmer: In addition to communication solutions for service centers and emergency services, Blue Call also equips organizations with telephone services in the social environment. For example, we can count the Dargebotene Hand and the Swiss Association for the Blind among our customers. We are particularly pleased to now also be able to work for victim support organizations. What distinguishes Blue Call’s employees is their ability to familiarize themselves with the needs and environment of customers and thus provide an optimally adapted solution.
What is the difference between the number 142 and 143 of the Dargebotene Hand? What makes the new application sophisticated?
The two emergency numbers 142 and 143 differ primarily in terms of the topics covered. From a technical point of view, the two emergency call services are quite comparable. Operating on a standardized platform has many advantages.
Your company has developed innovations and additional services for the introduction of the new number. What exactly has been adapted?
The number 142 is a new service. For this reason, a new platform has been created for Victim Support and Dargebotene Hand so that the two organizations can work together optimally.
How do you feel about November 1, when victim support centers will be available around the clock in the first cantons?
Operating an emergency number 24/7, 365 days a year is associated with many major challenges. On the one hand, there are the technical challenges, which have been mastered well in the meantime. On the other hand, there are the organizational challenges so that the emergency number can be operated in a timely manner by the employees of Victim Support and the volunteers of the Dargebotene Hand. I myself was involved in many technical issues, but I also learned about organizational aspects at meetings and training sessions. I noticed that the employees of Victim Support and the volunteers of the Dargebotene Hand are very motivated to provide this new service. This gives me great confidence for November 1.
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At night and at weekends, the number is operated by Dargebotene Hand beider Basel.
The Dargebotene Hand provides basic counseling and, if necessary, refers the victim to the day service for counseling.
Victim Support beider Basel is available 24/7
Tel: +41 61 205 09 10
