BY BLACKTALKER
Every emergency begins with a moment, a crash on a busy expressway, a fire in a crowded neighbourhood, a medical crisis in the middle of the night. In Lagos, that moment is often followed by three digits: 112 or 767.
As the world marks World Emergency Number Day, attention turns to the critical role of emergency lines in saving lives. In Lagos, the observance shines a spotlight on the Lagos State Command and Control Centre the nerve centre where distress calls are received, processed and dispatched into coordinated action.
For the General Manager of the Centre, Mr. Femi Kennedy Giwa, the day is more than symbolic. It is a reminder that the “thin line between life and death” can sometimes be the speed at which a resident dials the emergency number.
World Emergency Number Day is set aside globally to promote awareness of toll-free emergency numbers and to encourage citizens to use them responsibly and effectively. In a megacity like Lagos, Africa’s most populous urban hub, the relevance cannot be overstated.
Located within a high-tech operations hub, the Lagos Command and Control Centre functions as a coordination platform linking multiple emergency response agencies. From LASEMA to the Fire Service, LASTMA and other first responders, the Centre ensures that once a call is received, help is mobilised without delay.
Behind every answered call is a trained call agent who gathers critical information, location, nature of the emergency, scale of risk, before dispatchers relay instructions to the appropriate response unit. The process is designed to be swift, structured and life-saving.
Yet, according to Mr. Giwa, a major challenge remains public awareness.
“It will surprise you that many residents still do not know Lagos’ emergency numbers,” he noted, stressing that 112 and 767 should be as familiar as any personal contact on a mobile phone.
World Emergency Number Day therefore doubles as a public education campaign in Lagos, a call for residents to memorise the numbers and use them promptly when crises occur.
One of the recurring misconceptions addressed by the Command and Control Centre is the belief that the emergency lines require airtime or are restricted by network providers. The Centre insists this is not the case.
The numbers are toll-free and accessible across telecommunications networks, meaning residents can call regardless of airtime balance. However, system congestion can occur, particularly during peak periods or when prank and non-emergency calls flood the lines.
Emergency communication systems operate within defined technological capacities, a limited number of calls can be processed within seconds. When lines are tied up by false alarms or “test calls,” genuine emergencies may face slight delays.
For this reason, World Emergency Number Day is also a reminder of shared responsibility. The effectiveness of emergency services depends not only on government infrastructure but also on citizens’ discipline and cooperation.
As Lagos continues to expand in population and complexity, so too must its emergency response architecture. The Command and Control Centre is undergoing technological upgrades aimed at increasing call-handling capacity and improving response coordination.
New ICT infrastructure, enhanced video matrix systems and expanded communication channels, including digital and social media integration ,are part of ongoing reforms designed to broaden access points for residents in distress.
These upgrades align with the state government’s broader safety and security objectives under its development agenda, which prioritises the protection of lives and property.
For emergency managers, World Emergency Number Day is also a moment of reflection, a time to celebrate call agents, dispatchers and first responders who work around the clock, often behind the scenes.
They are the unseen voices that answer in calm tones amid chaos. The steady hands coordinating fire trucks, ambulances and rescue teams. The professionals who translate panic into action.
In many emergencies, the difference between containment and catastrophe is early reporting. A “small” fire reported promptly can be extinguished before it engulfs an entire building. A swift call after a road crash can accelerate medical intervention and improve survival chances.
The Lagos Command and Control Centre is therefore using the global observance to reinforce a simple message: do not delay. Do not assume someone else has called. Do not dismiss a minor incident.
Dial 112. Dial 767.
World Emergency Number Day, from the perspective of Lagos, is ultimately about preparedness, ensuring that in a city that never sleeps, help is always within reach.
Because when seconds matter most, three digits can save a life.