[Draft] International Emergency Phone Line

[Greater Cesnica]

Category: Regulation
Area Of Effect: Safety

The General Assembly,

Aware that as levels of international travel and tourism increase, so, inevitably, will the number of foreign travelers who find themselves involved in dangerous situations, and

Convinced that such unfortunate travelers would benefit from being able to call emergency services (including but not limited to law enforcement, the fire brigade, ambulance services, and the coastguard) in any member state using a short, universal telephone number,

Hereby:

1. Requires member states to forward all calls made to the number 112 from any electronic device that is capable of calling a telephone number to the nearest available emergency service.
2. Forbids member states from imposing any charge or fee on any call placed to an emergency service telephone number (ESTN), including 112.
3. Clarifies that Article 1 does not oblige member states to:
   
   1. Amend any ESTN currently used within their jurisdiction,
   2. Roll out ESTNs or electronic devices that can call them where these cannot be accessed, nor to
   3. Implement an emergency service where such is not already present.

Co-authored by Tinhampton.

[Greater Cesnica]

Aware that travel to and from various member states is a rapidly growing phenomenon.

Noting that such travel may be accompanied by the potential of a person encountering an emergency situation.

Cognizant that such emergencies may require the response of a member states' first responder services including but limited to fire, police, and paramedic services,

Acknowledging that member states may differ in the methods mandated to reach these first responder services,

Resolved that by mandating a common emergency phone line number in all member states, the lives and property of travelers visiting a member state can be more effectively safeguarded from harm,

This Assembly hereby enacts the following:

1. The International Emergency Phone Line number is established, which shall connect a person to the nearest emergency response service by the dialing of the number "112" via a telephone or any other communication device capable of dialing a telephone number.

2. Member states shall ensure that the dialing of the number "112" via a telephone or any other communication device capable of dialing a telephone number shall route the calling person to an emergency response service; provided that the member state does not already use the number "112" to route emergency calls to an emergency response service,

3. Member states shall ensure that no discriminatory, preferential, or otherwise differing treatment is given to a caller based on which number is used to reach an emergency response service,

4. Member states will not be required to introduce or mandate emergency response services or communication devices capable of reaching such services if they do not already have such devices and services, and

5. Member states will not be required to change their existing number used to reach an emergency response service.

Original draft.

Aware that travel to and from various member states is a staple of our interconnected world,

Noting that such travel may be accompanied by the potential of a person encountering an emergency situation,

Cognizant that such emergencies may require the response of a member states' first responder services; including but not limited to fire, police, and paramedic services,

Acknowledging that member states may differ in the methods mandated to reach these first responder services,

Resolved that by mandating a common emergency phone line number that a person may call in all member states, the lives and property of travelers visiting a member state can be more effectively safeguarded from harm,

This Assembly hereby enacts the following:

1. The International Emergency Phone Line number is established, which shall connect a person to the nearest emergency response service by the dialing of the number "112" via a telephone or any other communication device capable of dialing a telephone number.

2. Member states shall ensure that the dialing of the number "112" via a telephone or any other communication device capable of dialing a telephone number shall route the calling person to an emergency response service; provided that the member state does not already use the number "112" to route emergency calls to an emergency response service,

3. Member states shall ensure that no discriminatory, preferential, or otherwise differing treatment is given to a caller based on which number is used to reach an emergency response service,

4. Member states will not be required to introduce or mandate emergency response services or communication devices capable of reaching such services if they do not already have such devices and services, and

5. Member states will not be required to change their existing number used to reach an emergency response service.

Grammar and minor writing mistakes fixed.

Aware that travel to and from various member states is a staple of our interconnected world,

Noting that such travel may be accompanied by the potential of a person encountering an emergency situation,

Cognizant that such emergencies may require the response of a member states' first responder services; including but not limited to fire, police, and paramedic services,

Acknowledging that member states may differ in the methods mandated to reach these first responder services,

Resolved that by mandating a common emergency phone line number that a person may call in all member states, the lives and property of travelers visiting a member state can be more effectively safeguarded from harm,

This Assembly hereby enacts the following:

1. The International Emergency Phone Line number is established, which shall redirect a call placed by a person to the nearest emergency response service by the dialing of the number "112" via a telephone or any other communication device capable of dialing a telephone number,

2. Member states shall ensure that the dialing of the number "112" via a telephone or any other communication device capable of dialing a telephone number shall redirect the call placed to an emergency response service; provided that the member state does not already use the number "112" to route emergency calls to an emergency response service,

3. Member states shall ensure that no discriminatory, preferential, or otherwise differing treatment is given to a caller based on which number is used to reach an emergency response service,

4. Member states will not be required to introduce or mandate emergency response services or communication devices capable of reaching such services if they do not already have such devices and services, and

5. Member states will not be required to change their existing number used to reach an emergency response service.

Made it clear that the resolution only mandates that the number "112" REDIRECT to an existing emergency response service, not that an entirely new line and system be created for that number. For instance, if you were to call "112" in Greater Cesnica, the call would be redirected to the number "999"; which is the emergency phone number in Greater Cesnica.

Aware that travel to and from various member states is a staple of our interconnected world,

Noting that such travel may be accompanied by the potential of a person encountering an emergency situation,

Cognizant that such emergencies may require the response of a member states' first responder services; including but not limited to fire, police, and paramedic services,

Acknowledging that member states may differ in the methods mandated to reach these first responder services,

Resolved that by mandating a common emergency phone line number that a person may call in all member states, the lives and property of travelers visiting a member state can be more effectively safeguarded from harm,

This Assembly hereby enacts the following:

1. Member states shall ensure that the dialing of the number "112" via a telephone or any other communication device capable of dialing a telephone number shall forward the call placed to an emergency response service; provided that the member state does not already use the number "112" to route emergency calls to an emergency response service,

2. Member states will not be required to introduce or mandate emergency response services or communication devices capable of reaching such services if they do not already have such devices and services, and

3. Member states will not be required to change their existing number used to reach an emergency response service.

Removed unnecessary provisions, changed 'redirect' to 'forward'.

Aware that travel to and from various member states is a staple of our interconnected world,

Noting that such travel may be accompanied by the potential of a person encountering an emergency situation,

Cognizant that such emergencies may require the response of a member states' first responder services; including but not limited to fire, police, and paramedic services,

Acknowledging that member states may differ in the methods mandated to reach these first responder services,

Resolved that by mandating a common emergency phone line number that a person may call in all member states, the lives and property of travelers visiting a member state can be more effectively safeguarded from harm,

This Assembly hereby enacts the following:

1. Member states shall ensure that the dialing of the number "112" via any communication device capable of dialing a telephone number shall forward the call placed to an emergency service; provided that the member state does not already use the number "112" to route emergency calls to an emergency service,

2. Member states shall not levy any charge or fee for calls placed to emergency services,

3. Member states will not be required to introduce or mandate emergency services or communication devices capable of reaching such services if they do not already have such devices and services, and

4. Member states will not be required to change their existing telephone number(s) used to reach an emergency service.

Added IA's recommendation to prohibit levying charges for placing calls to emergency services, cut back on some unnecessary wording.

The World Assembly,

Aware that as levels of international travel and tourism increase, so, inevitably, will the number of tourists who find themselves involved in dangerous situations, and

Convinced that such unfortunate tourists would benefit from being able to call emergency services (including but not limited to law enforcement, the fire brigade, ambulance services and the coastguard) in any member state using a short, universal telephone number,

Hereby:

1. Requires all member states that have not yet done so to forward all calls made to the number 112 from any electronic device that is capable of calling a telephone number to any available emergency service,
2. Forbids members from imposing any charge or fee on any call placed to an emergency service telephone number (ESTN), including to 112, and
3. Clarifies that Article 1 does not oblige members to:
   
   1. Amend any ESTN currently used within their jurisdiction,
   2. Roll out ESTNs or electronic devices that can call them where these cannot be accessed, nor to
   3. Implement an emergency service where such is not already present.

Co-authored by Tinhampton

Full re-write, Tinhampton joined as co-author.

The World Assembly,

Aware that as levels of international travel and tourism increase, so, inevitably, will the number of tourists who find themselves involved in dangerous situations, and

Convinced that such unfortunate tourists would benefit from being able to call emergency services (including but not limited to law enforcement, the fire brigade, ambulance services and the coastguard) in any member state using a short, universal telephone number,

Hereby:

1. Requires all member states that have not yet done so to forward all calls made to the number 999 from any electronic device that is capable of calling a telephone number to any available emergency service,
2. Forbids members from imposing any charge or fee on any call placed to an emergency service telephone number (ESTN), including to 999, and
3. Clarifies that Article 1 does not oblige members to:
   
   1. Amend any ESTN currently used within their jurisdiction,
   2. Roll out ESTNs or electronic devices that can call them where these cannot be accessed, nor to
   3. Implement an emergency service where such is not already present.

Co-authored by Tinhampton

"112" changed to "999".

The World Assembly,

Aware that as levels of international travel and tourism increase, so, inevitably, will the number of tourists who find themselves involved in dangerous situations, and

Convinced that such unfortunate tourists would benefit from being able to call emergency services (including but not limited to law enforcement, the fire brigade, ambulance services and the coastguard) in any member state using a short, universal telephone number,

Hereby:

1. Requires all member states that have not yet done so to forward all calls made to the number 111 from any electronic device that is capable of calling a telephone number to any available emergency service,
2. Forbids members from imposing any charge or fee on any call placed to an emergency service telephone number (ESTN), including to 111, and
3. Clarifies that Article 1 does not oblige members to:
   
   1. Amend any ESTN currently used within their jurisdiction,
   2. Roll out ESTNs or electronic devices that can call them where these cannot be accessed, nor to
   3. Implement an emergency service where such is not already present.

Co-authored by Tinhampton

Changed number to '111' from '999'.

The World Assembly,

Aware that as levels of international travel and tourism increase, so, inevitably, will the number of tourists who find themselves involved in dangerous situations, and

Convinced that such unfortunate tourists would benefit from being able to call emergency services (including but not limited to law enforcement, the fire brigade, ambulance services and the coastguard) in any member state using a short, universal telephone number,

Hereby:

1. Requires all member states that have not yet done so to forward all calls made to the number 111 from any electronic device that is capable of calling a telephone number to any available emergency service,
2. Forbids member states from imposing any charge or fee on any call placed to an emergency service telephone number (ESTN), including to 111, and
3. Clarifies that Article 1 does not oblige member states to:
   
   1. Amend any ESTN currently used within their jurisdiction,
   2. Roll out ESTNs or electronic devices that can call them where these cannot be accessed, nor to
   3. Implement an emergency service where such is not already present,

Exempts member states from fulfilling the provisions of this resolution if doing so would require the restructuring of more than 25% of a member state's available telephone area codes, insofar as:

1. These member states ensure that their emergency number(s) are clearly displayed on all government-issued, sponsored, or authorized documents, guides, vehicles, websites, and any other platform or item where travelers can easily access such information,
2. These member states ensure that their emergency number(s) are clearly displayed on all road signs, traffic signals, all points of entry and exit from a member state, and all transportation hubs including but not limited to airports, seaports, busing terminals or stops, and railway stations, and
3. These member states ensure that their emergency number(s) are clearly displayed at all locations of temporary lodging including but not limited to hotels, motels, inns, hostels, guest houses, and bed and breakfast establishments.

Co-authored by Tinhampton

Added exemption and alternate provisions for these exempt member states to fulfill.

The World Assembly,

Aware that as levels of international travel and tourism increase, so, inevitably, will the number of tourists who find themselves involved in dangerous situations, and

Convinced that such unfortunate tourists would benefit from being able to call emergency services (including but not limited to law enforcement, the fire brigade, ambulance services and the coastguard) in any member state using a short, universal telephone number,

Hereby:

1. Requires all member states that have not yet done so to forward all calls made to the number 111 from any electronic device that is capable of calling a telephone number to any available emergency service,
2. Forbids member states from imposing any charge or fee on any call placed to an emergency service telephone number (ESTN), including to 111, and
3. Clarifies that Article 1 does not oblige member states to:
   
   1. Amend any ESTN currently used within their jurisdiction,
   2. Roll out ESTNs or electronic devices that can call them where these cannot be accessed, nor to
   3. Implement an emergency service where such is not already present, and
4. Exempts member states from having to comply with Article 1 if doing so would require the restructuring of more than 25% of that member's available telephone area codes, insofar as they ensure that their emergency number(s) are clearly displayed:
   
   1. On all emergency vehicles, and all documents intended to be issued to foreigners,
   2. At all points of entry and exit from a member state, and all transportation hubs including but not limited to airports, seaports, busing terminals or stops, and railway stations, and
   3. At all temporary lodgings accessible to the public (including but not limited to hotels, motels, inns, hostels, guest houses, and bed and breakfast establishments).

Co-authored by Tinhampton

Simplified exemption conditions.

The World Assembly,

Aware that as levels of international travel and tourism increase, so, inevitably, will the number of foreign travelers who find themselves involved in dangerous situations, and

Convinced that such unfortunate travelers would benefit from being able to call emergency services (including but not limited to law enforcement, the fire brigade, ambulance services and the coastguard) in any member state using a short, universal telephone number,

Hereby:

1. Requires all member states that have not yet done so to forward all calls made to the number 111 from any electronic device that is capable of calling a telephone number to any available emergency service,
2. Forbids member states from imposing any charge or fee on any call placed to an emergency service telephone number (ESTN), including to 111, and
3. Clarifies that Article 1 does not oblige member states to:
   
   1. Amend any ESTN currently used within their jurisdiction,
   2. Roll out ESTNs or electronic devices that can call them where these cannot be accessed, nor to
   3. Implement an emergency service where such is not already present.

Co-authored by Tinhampton

Exemptions removed.

The General Assembly,

Aware that as levels of international travel and tourism increase, so, inevitably, will the number of foreign travelers who find themselves involved in dangerous situations, and

Convinced that such unfortunate travelers would benefit from being able to call emergency services (including but not limited to law enforcement, the fire brigade, ambulance services, and the coastguard) in any member state using a short, universal telephone number,

Hereby:

1. Requires member states to forward all calls made to the number 111 from any electronic device that is capable of calling a telephone number to the nearest available emergency service.
2. Forbids member states from imposing any charge or fee on any call placed to an emergency service telephone number (ESTN), including 111.
3. Clarifies that Article 1 does not oblige member states to:
   
   1. Amend any ESTN currently used within their jurisdiction,
   2. Roll out ESTNs or electronic devices that can call them where these cannot be accessed, nor to
   3. Implement an emergency service where such is not already present.

Co-authored by Tinhampton.

Added category/strength, removed "that have not yet done so", replaced "any available emergency service" with "the nearest available emergency service".

[Separatist Peoples]

"This is not an international issue. Extant law addresses the discrimination aspect, and foreigners are expected to learn the essentials of a host nation when traveling. We see no reason to put the '112' series of numbers out of service. Opposed."

[Ardiveds]

Delegate Jim reads the proposal and sighs "Is this Assembly really so desperate to create new resolutions that it's coming up with bs like this?"

[Separatist Peoples]

Delegate Jim reads the proposal and sighs "Is this Assembly really so desperate to create new resolutions that it's coming up with bs like this?"

"A shame when there are so many unregulated issues out there."

[Greater Cesnica]

Delegate Jim reads the proposal and sighs "Is this Assembly really so desperate to create new resolutions that it's coming up with bs like this?"

"This is not an international issue. Extant law addresses the discrimination aspect, and foreigners are expected to learn the essentials of a host nation when traveling. We see no reason to put the '112' series of numbers out of service. Opposed."

"There is very little effort required on the part of a member state to institute the provisions of this resolution. All that is needed is to redirect the "112" number, if it is not already used as an emergency response service number, to reach such a response service."

[Separatist Peoples]

Delegate Jim reads the proposal and sighs "Is this Assembly really so desperate to create new resolutions that it's coming up with bs like this?"

"This is not an international issue. Extant law addresses the discrimination aspect, and foreigners are expected to learn the essentials of a host nation when traveling. We see no reason to put the '112' series of numbers out of service. Opposed."

"There is very little effort required on the part of a member state to institute the provisions of this resolution. All that is needed is to redirect the "112" number, if it is not already used as an emergency response service number, to reach such a response service."

"it's less effort to have foreigners figure it out as part of their due diligence. A phone system relying on area codes would need an entire reorganization. Perhaps it's as simple as changing one number. Perhaps it requires reorganizing the entire system. Neither are more efficient than shifting the burden to the party who chose to travel."

[Araraukar]

OOC: Isn't 112 as emergency number a RL reference? It's the EU-wide emergency number, like 911 is for USA. And I think in both systems if you use a mobile phone and type the other, it redirects you to the right one. But that's besides the point.

IC: "And why exactly should our two-billion strong population care about some arbitrary number some foreigner wants to use to call foreign services on some other planet in some other universe, when we've got a very good emergency systems coverage and use a different number? Not to mention that our number is shared by our neighbouring nations, so most travelers would already be familiar with it."

OOC again: This might work if everyone in WA was on the same planet, but as that's an impossibility in IC, it makes no sense to require a single emergency number. Also what about apps, existing or fictional, where you might just press a button or click an icon to make the call? Why does it have to be a specific number? Any traveler who isn't an idiot, finds out the emergency number of the nation they're traveling to, in case they need it.

EDIT: And either way the category is a total miss. This would not fit International Security in any shape or form.

[Desmosthenes and Burke]

We concur with the Separatist delegation. We see no reason to impose this sort of mandate to protect people from their own stupidity. If you are that concerned about it, ambassador, you are free to make your emergency number whatever you want. We will even happily let you pay to put up extra signs with the Burkean number (conveniently, it is *0#) around our airports and tourist centres if it makes you happy. Though, unless you speak Latin, you would probably do better to call the tourist police anyway. Though, for that matter, assuming you bothered to get a tourist sim card, pressing the emergency call button should serve the same function anyway since, for reasons we cannot begin to fathom, our telecom operators decided to save people from their own stupidity.

[Thermodolia]

Thermodolia will not be changing its emergency numbers just because some tourists can’t be bothered to read the signs and tourist booklets

[Comfed]

"Uhh... no. 901 is quite fine in Comfed, thank you. We're not changing our emergency numbers we've had for ninety-five years because some tourist can't be bothered to learn the emergency numbers are different."

Delegate Jim reads the proposal and sighs "Is this Assembly really so desperate to create new resolutions that it's coming up with bs like this?"

"This is not an international issue. Extant law addresses the discrimination aspect, and foreigners are expected to learn the essentials of a host nation when traveling. We see no reason to put the '112' series of numbers out of service. Opposed."

"There is very little effort required on the part of a member state to institute the provisions of this resolution. All that is needed is to redirect the "112" number, if it is not already used as an emergency response service number, to reach such a response service."

"The Comfedian telecommunications department has better things to do."

OOC: This isn't international security.

[Imperium Anglorum]

Nobody is saying to change your emergency number. The proposal says that calls to 112 should be forwarded. That doesn't mean that all 112-starting number need to be eliminated either. That said, 911 and other numbers are rubbish and should be phased out in favour of 01189998819991197253.

Call forwarding software is cheap. Most telephone networks are handled in software anyway. Even with manual circuitry, forwarding requires like one wire to connect the 112 output to the 999 input.

The idea that a series of numbers without any other reference is a real life reference must be a joke. Next, putting the word 'world' in a resolution will be a real life reference because the word 'world' is a word in English. And about the category, conclusory assertions of illegality are not sufficient.

[Greater Cesnica]

"Uhh... no. 901 is quite fine in Comfed, thank you. We're not changing our emergency numbers we've had for ninety-five years because some tourist can't be bothered to learn the emergency numbers are different."

"There is very little effort required on the part of a member state to institute the provisions of this resolution. All that is needed is to redirect the "112" number, if it is not already used as an emergency response service number, to reach such a response service."

"The Comfedian telecommunications department has better things to do."

OOC: This isn't international security.

Thermodolia will not be changing its emergency numbers just because some tourists can’t be bothered to read the signs and tourist booklets

"Member states will not be required to change their existing number used to reach an emergency response service." That is in the proposal text.

[Greater Cesnica]

it makes no sense to require a single emergency number

Nowhere in this proposal does it require that.

[Bananaistan]

"Full support. Facilitating proletarian internationalism is worthwhile."

[Cretox State]

Erm... it's fine, I guess. Really scraping the bottom of the barrel, though.

[Tinfect]

"The Imperium finds itself in agreement with the collected opposition; to the extent that radio-frequency infrastructure continues to exist within the Imperium, we see no reason alter existing standards so as to implement a foreign an arbitrary one."

[Greater Cesnica]

"The Imperium finds itself in agreement with the collected opposition; to the extent that radio-frequency infrastructure continues to exist within the Imperium, we see no reason alter existing standards so as to implement a foreign an arbitrary one."

"May you clarify which alterations you are opposed to? To be clear; no part of this resolution seeks to alter any existing emergency response service and its infrastructure. Rather, the resolution mandates that member states make it so that if a person calls "112", the call is redirected to the nation's existing emergency response service infrastructure. This is an easy task for nations to perform."

[Separatist Peoples]

"The Imperium finds itself in agreement with the collected opposition; to the extent that radio-frequency infrastructure continues to exist within the Imperium, we see no reason alter existing standards so as to implement a foreign an arbitrary one."

"May you clarify which alterations you are opposed to? To be clear; no part of this resolution seeks to alter any existing emergency response service and its infrastructure. Rather, the resolution mandates that member states make it so that if a person calls "112", the call is redirected to the nation's existing emergency response service infrastructure. This is an easy task for nations to perform."

"It has been noted that it is not, in fact, an easy task for nations to perform unless one ignores the externalities of such a policy."

[Imperium Anglorum]

This proposal really should just be two lines:

1. Member nation telephone networks must forward any call to '112' to the appropriate local emergency services.
   
   
2. No charge will assessed or required for calls to emergency services.

[Greater Cesnica]

This proposal really should just be two lines:

1. Member nation telephone networks must forward any call to '112' to the appropriate local emergency services.
   
   
2. No charge will assessed or required for calls to emergency services.

Added your prohibition of charges for calling emergency services, cut back on unnecessary wording.

[Boda]

"Will this mean we'll have to share emergency services with other nations too? We are not against his proposal, however, what would happen if the emergency division of one country clashed with other? There might be an international incident possibly brewing here, so it is best if you explain."

[Greater Cesnica]

"Will this mean we'll have to share emergency services with other nations too? We are not against his proposal, however, what would happen if the emergency division of one country clashed with other? There might be an international incident possibly brewing here, so it is best if you explain."

"It does not mean that any nation has to share emergency services with another. The resolution's intent is if, let's say, a tourist is visiting Boda. Someone carjacks the tourist, and the tourist doesn't know Boda's emergency number. The tourist can then dial "112", and they will be routed to the nearest existing emergency service within Boda."

[Boda]

"Will this mean we'll have to share emergency services with other nations too? We are not against his proposal, however, what would happen if the emergency division of one country clashed with other? There might be an international incident possibly brewing here, so it is best if you explain."

"It does not mean that any nation has to share emergency services with another. The resolution's intent is if, let's say, a tourist is visiting Boda. Someone carjacks the tourist, and the tourist doesn't know Boda's emergency number. The tourist can then dial "112", and they will be routed to the nearest existing emergency service within Boda."

"Execellent. Now that is cleared up, we'd be more interested in supporting this proposal"

[Greater Cesnica]

"It does not mean that any nation has to share emergency services with another. The resolution's intent is if, let's say, a tourist is visiting Boda. Someone carjacks the tourist, and the tourist doesn't know Boda's emergency number. The tourist can then dial "112", and they will be routed to the nearest existing emergency service within Boda."

"Execellent. Now that is cleared up, we'd be more interested in supporting this proposal"

"Excellent, ambassador!"