Distress Centre promotes 211 service to ease burden on emergency crews
Telephone-based operation connects people in need with an array of social services
Calgary's emergency responders are teaming up with the Distress Centre to get the word out about 211 — an information and referral service that connects Albertans with many social services.
The professionally-staffed service takes calls 24 hours a day all year from people looking for information about everything from housing to food to mental health issues.
More than 35,000 calls are made to 211 Alberta each year, the city says. However, many people who need help are unsure where to turn and call 911, says Calgary's 911 centre commander Richard Hinse.
"One of Calgary's three emergency services will attend the call, but in many instances the citizen requires more help than can be provided by police, fire or paramedics," he said in a release.
By calling 211, Calgarians can get connected with the right resources, says Distress Centre acting executive director Jerilyn Dressler.
"Because we're often responding to calls in people's homes, from time to time we recognize that some citizens need more help than we can provide as first responders," said Carol Henke, public information officer with the Calgary Fire Department in a release.
The service — a joint initiative of the Distress Centre, the city and the United Way — is free, confidential and can be accessed in more than 200 languages.