DUSHANBE, October 19, Asia-Plus - Tajikistan’s emergency services intend to set up an analogue of 911 national emergency number used in the United States and Canada, Oleg Pilkevich, Aide to the Emergencies Minister, remarked at a news conference in Dushanbe on October 18.

“Negotiations on this issue are under way but we have to find considerable funds to implement this project,” Pilkevich said.   

According to him, at present to call emergency services one have to dial 93-5006-911, but in the case of emergency people cannot remember such a multi-digit number.  “May be already in 2007, a new system of calling emergency services by two- or three-digit telephone number will be introduced,” Pilkevich said.  This network will be a vital part of the nation’s emergency response and disaster preparedness system.     

Speaking to journalists, the emergencies minister aide also noted that the Tajik emergency service has needs in skilled rescuers.  “We have no our own air transport and in case of emergencies we have to use planes or helicopters of the country’s air carrier “TajikAir.”