The number of hoax calls on emergency number 112 during 2015 was down by almost a half, from 7,000 in 2014 to 3,280 last year.

The statistics were given to the media during a visit by Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela and parliamentary secretary for health Chris Fearne made to the Zejtun primary school, on the occasion of the European 112 Day.

School children were given the opportunity to speak to members the Police, the Civil Protection Department, the Armed Forces of Malta and Mater Dei Hospital, even trying out the equipment they use during emergencies. The students were also shown around an ambulance, a fire engine and a police motorcycle and had the chance to meet two search and rescue dogs.

Mr Abela said in all, there were 453,306 calls made to 112 in 2015, with the highest registered in July (46,431) and the lowest in February (32,000). Some 19,000 calls were of people who wanted to dial 1182 – directory enquiries – and missed the number 8.

Most of the callers required medical assistance although a good number also required the CPD’s help. Mr Abela explained that 112 calls are answered at the police control room and redirected to other departments. The average call time was seven seconds, Mr Abela said, highlighting the importance for callers to give only the necessary details – type of emergency, assistance required, the address or approximate location of the incident and a contact number.

The Minister said the decrease in hoax calls and wrong numbers was positive but more needed to be done in this regard. A hoax call could prevent another caller from saving a life, he said. The act was also a crime.

Parliamentary Secretary Chris Fearne said emergencies were, in their nature, unexpected but that did not mean that the country was unprepared. On the contrary the emergency services could boast a high level of preparedness, with professional officers and all the necessary equipment. The recent Paqpaqli and PlusOne incidents had served to prove this fact.

Mr Fearne said the ambulance service received more than 90 calls a day. Over half were termed ‘code red,’ which meant that there was a life threatening situation. He explained how Malta has a fleet of 16 ambulances spread over three districts.

Inspector Graziella Muscat, from the police’s Community and Media Relations Unit said the police also had an SMS emergency number – 79770112. The number could be used by people with speech impediments or others facing an emergency situation where they cannot speak on the phone.