The President of Georgia toured the Emergency Center “112”, and learned about the specifics of its work on site. Mikheil Saakashvili spoke to the persons employed at the center and expressed interest in their working conditions. The Head of State focused attention on the changes that have been implemented in terms of the emergency, and patrol service since the Rose Revolution. The Mayor of the city Gigi Ugulava, and the Minister of Internal Affairs Vano Merabishvili, familiarized the President with the details of the center’s work.
“Look at what a difference there is between the current Georgia and the Georgia before the Rose Revolution. There were many emergency services, including private ones. If you became ill on the streets nobody would take care of you unless you showed them money. Every emergency service had a different number. There was no common number and you had to wait for hours, that’s if the unit ever arrived. Police buildings were closed and nobody would answer the phones no matter how many times you called. Later on there was a time period when it was better not to call the police at all. I would like to remind you that the heads of every police division in Tbilisi were bandits. We have formed modern state institutions. This can be seen in the example of this center. In this regard, we are really one of the best in the world. Hillary Clinton praised us while in Georgia. She has given a lecture in Israel and tells the international media about Batumi and its Public Service Hall. We do a lot of things effectively and I cannot abstain from expressing astonishment” – stated the President while talking to them.
Mikheil Saakashvili also recalled the period of being a Parliament Deputy from the Vake District and noted that the 4th micro region of Nutsubidze was the most hopeless. He also drew a parallel to the current conditions and focused attention on the developed infrastructure.
“This place has the best road now. The population can easily travel to Vashlijvari through Nutsubitze Plateau and arrive at the “Vepkhvi and Mokme” Monument where a new bridge is being built now. The Nutsubidze micro regions are becoming central regions of Tbilisi with their magnificent views, beauty and air. This is the new geography of Tbilisi. I like the architecture of this center very much, but the most important thing is that this place has changed dramatically with new buildings, functions and quality of life” – stated Mikheil Saakashvili.
The emergency center has relocated to the new building one month ago. It unifies fire, rescue, emergency, and patrol police services. The population can reach all of these services on one number, 112. It is free to dial 112 and it is possible to reach the center without a SIM card and in case there is no money on the phone account.
112 is an equivalence of the American 911.