10231 Lessons to be Learnt

The emergency number for an ambulance in Italy is 118 (I'm sure everyone on this forum knows it but there may be new people who don't). I think it's a good idea for all information packs for holiday homes to have emergency numbers written down somewhere prominent, together with the address of the property and any directions that may be necessary for country properties. (I guess these would have to be in phonetic Italian as well!) Directions to the nearest hospital would also be useful - I must take a memo!!

Hazel

We travel abroad,and always take out travel insurance,100 notes for a couple of weeks that's all! But even though these packs do come with useful tel numbers and even if you read the info pact before hand what good is it, when the likely hood is,you will forget all the info anyway.

As for these pacts having directions to the nearest hospital,nice idea but cannot see it catching on, far too many logistic problems with that, but it maybe a good idea that the tourist looks into these things themselves, internet being a good source,but it brings us back to the article itself.

You are responsible for yourself and your children, surely this sort of thing should be a priority when planning your holiday?.

now having read the article it stuck me,how useful is knowing the emergency phone numbers if you do not speak the lingo?.

For example in the UK its 999, not much use really if you do not speak English how on earth do you tell someone what you want and where you are,or take in any advice they may offer over the phone?
So really you are still at the mercy of Samaritans.

I think you take a phrase book and learn the relevant Italian.If you are talking responsibility. We have an apartment book with all the details plus much more info on insects, bites, caution in walking in long grass (snakes) and as was mentioned by Sebastiano a long time ago, caution in the mountains.Also details of local A&E and pharmacy.All this is pointed out to guests on their arrival. We want people to enjoy their holiday but to also be aware of downsides.As responsible people we feel that guests should be aware of possible problems, but still be free to enjoy their holiday.
What does surprise me sometimes is that on coming to a hot country they are unprepared for biting insects, and sadly suffer the consequences, (until directed to local pharmacy).
A holiday is all about relaxing and enjoying, but some sensible precuations are a good idea.I am sure that other forum members who let houses/apartments also inform clients.
But back to your point gio, maybe some sort of requirement that all people who let provide basic info for guests, difficult one, not sure how that could be enforced.
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Having had to use the 118 service in an extreme panic, they must have a system that match's incoming calls to address's. As they found me OK.
And info packs are good in rentals, but that assumes that, 1. the renter has installed a land line or 2. the rentee has a mobile.

Having worked for some years for the Australian Telephone Interpreter Service (TIS), see link:
[url=http://www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/help-with-english/help_with_translating/index.htm]Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) National[/url] I only have but praise for similar organisations. I understand that there is a similar help line in the UK, called HSE. Now, if I had any say, I would urge all countries with tourist and immigration intakes to have similar services available to the general public. I mean, proper services, with certified, registered professionals who are covered by indemnity insurance, etc.
It would only take a small tax to cover the expenditure needed to run such a service. Yes, we must pay for what we are going to use, but it would give peace of mind to many people.
Something worth implementing.

Telecom Italia have a new servie offering something that may be similar at [url=http://www.892412.alice.it/]892412.it di Telecom Italia[/url] a premium number but now offering "info per imigrati" including "Informazioni specifiche per Immigrati * (es.: informazioni socialmente utili, permessi di soggiorno, visti, permessi per ricongiungimento familiare, informazioni su scuola, sanità)"
Apparently in 9 languages.

Will be entertained to hear 1st hand experiences.......(from 2.6 eurocent per second!)

In a medical emergency, you would be very unlucky to get anybody responding to 118 who didn't have sitting next to them a person who spoke adequate English.

There still seems to be a great deal of ignorance about the [URL="http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/112/index_en.htm"]Europe-wide emergency telephone number, [B]112.[/B][/URL]

For the Brits, it is the exact equivalent of the old 999 number (yes, even in the UK, [B][URL="http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/112/ms/gb/index_en.htm"]112[/B] is the correct emergency number [/URL]- 999 is the "as well as" number).

So, please, programme your telephones to use [B][URL="http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/112/index_en.htm"]112[/URL][/B] as your emergency number. There are always English speakers available (as, indeed, other language speakers) to help you in you moment of need.

[B][SIZE="3"][URL="http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/112/ms/it/index_en.htm"]112[/URL][/SIZE][/B]

[B][SIZE="5"]112[/SIZE][/B]

[SIZE="7"][U]112[/U][/SIZE]

OK? The other numbers all work for their respective services, but [B]112 [/B]is the number to use for emergency services. Just like 999. Remember it as it will save your panic should things go wrong and you end up dialling ACI (the Italian AA or RAC) instead of the emergency services. [B][URL="http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/112/about/index_en.htm"]112[/URL].[/B] Chiaro?

[QUOTE=
For example in the UK its 999, not much use really if you do not speak English how on earth do you tell someone what you want and where you are,or take in any advice they may offer over the phone?
So really you are still at the mercy of Samaritans.[/QUOTE]

If you are calling from a landline the police will be sent straight out to you - as an ex-emergency services worker I have dealt with a large number of silent 999 calls. Most turn out to be hoaxes or mistakes but just occasionally you get someone who couldn't speak but needed emergency assistance.

If using a mobile you should always use 112 as it will always route through to strongest signal regardless of which network you are on. I spoke to a 999 police operator and she was totally unaware of this - had never heard of 112. This is correct for the UK so I assume it is for other countries too. Really useful in areas of bad signals.

I was given the information in a St John first aid class and no-one in the class knew about it

I thought I had posted this question but can't find it here, so may I ask again? ...It's a bit dim of me but if one is using a foreign mobile phone eg English, would one have to dial 0039 before dialling 112. Easier to ask Forum members than try it out just for fun!!!

You did post Noble - but in another thread.

[url=http://www.italymag.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=10398&referrerid=4248]Emergency Telephone Numbers - Italy Magazine Forums[/url]

Just to be clear, all operators in Europe are required to route 112 to a local response centre. Regardless of the nationality of your phone/SIM, if you dial 112, you will be answered by a local emergency centre.

"Local" may mean different things in different countries, but regardless, you won't be calling your operator's home base in Swindon. (Unless you're broken down facing the wrong way on the Magic Roundabout).

Thanks Steve..got it ..just dial 112...but how did you know about me driving in thick fog in Swindon several years ago ....won't tell you about the roundabout...just had a terrificly generous car that saved my life!!