EMERGENCIES IN RUHR
All three emergency services in the Ruhr Metropolis are highly reliable, with response times shorter in the cities. The most visible are police officers, who are generally courteous when approached. In the case of an emergency dial 110 for law enforcement.
The fire brigade and ambulance services are well equipped and efficient. Emergency response is normally only a few minutes away. Dial 112 for either service.
Personnel come from a diversity of cultural backgrounds. Those attending to the issues of residents invariably act professionally. Those in need of hospitalisation will also be cared for in an environment with good facilities.
Pharmacists run an all night rota system. Medical and dental clinics to on-call doctors who actually make midnight house calls, all form a medical service that is one of the most comprehensive in the world.
HOSPITALS IN RUHR
Hospitals, Krankenhäuser, in the Ruhr form part of the relatively well-funded, combined public and private German health care setup. This is supported by high taxes from the social system. Some of the shortest waiting times in Europe can be found and a level of professionalism that is often to be envied.
Whether founded more recently or a century and a half ago, clinics and hospitals normally have a good reputation. Many are defined by a certain specialisation, while some are renowned.
FIRE BRIGADE IN RUHR
The fire department, Feuerwehr, runs an emergency response service 24/7 across the Ruhr Metropolis. They are responsible for any crisis in domestic properties, industry parks, business districts and retail outlets. Response vehicles are located in many areas of the city.
The number to call in the case of a fire or related emergency is 112. When reporting, they request four “W’s: Where is the emergency or accident? What has happened? What is the number of injured? What injuries are evident on those concerned? They will also suggest waiting on the phone until they arrive from one of many fire stations throughout the region.
AMBULANCE IN RUHR
Several organisations respond with ambulances in the Ruhr Metropolis. They are the fire department, Feuerwehr, Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund, German Red Cross, the Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe and the Malteser Hilfsdienst.
The number to call in the case of an emergency or need of an ambulance is 112. When reporting, they request four “W’s: Where is the emergency or accident? What has happened? What is the number of injured? What injuries are evident on those concerned? They will also suggest waiting on the phone until they arrive from a regional centre.
POLICE IN RUHR
The police department is in the hands the state with an organisational structure that gives responsibility to dozens of regional police authorities, Kreispolizeibehörden. Local police stations, Polizeiwache, are found all across the Ruhr Metropolis. The police have many responsibilities ranging from investigating offences to traffic control and crime prevention.
Available 24/7, callers on the emergency number 110 are asked their name and six other Ws: Who, wer; what, was; where, wo; when, wann; how, wie; why, warum; who is concerned, wer ist beteiligt. They will request you to wait to clarify the incident. English should be spoken.
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