111 system fault unacceptable: Sepuloni

This morning’s 111 system fault is simply unacceptable, says Labour Civil Defence spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni.

The fault, which affected areas of Auckland, is believed to have been responsible for around 30 emergency calls not reaching the police call centre.

“New Zealanders deserve the assurance that their emergency response system is reliable and that they will get the help they need in an emergency situation,” said Carmel Sepuloni.

“Telecom, at the moment, cannot give this assurance.

“That this latest fault comes hot on the heels of the XT system failures is even more disturbing. New Zealanders now face the worry that their calls may not reach emergency services, either because of faults with their mobile phone network, or with the 111 system.

“The role of the Minister of Civil Defence is to ensure that, in the event of a national or local civil defence emergency, systems are in place for a prompt response. It is a matter of life and death for New Zealanders.

“The Hon John Carter should be very worried about this latest development, as it highlights flaws in New Zealand’s emergency system that could prove catastrophic in a civil defence emergency situation,” Carmel Sepuloni said.

ENDS

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