111 system turns 50

Police, fire and ambulance services marked the 50th anniversary of the 111 emergency telephone system yesterday with the launch of a new emergency services website.

The 111 service was started in Masterton and Carterton in 1958 by the Post and Telegraph Department and then introduced through the rest of the country over the next 30 years.

About 52,000 emergency 111 calls are now received each week.

Fire Service spokesman Scott Sargentina said the new site, www.111.govt.nz, used old photos, video clips and stories to give the public a taste of what it was like to be part of the 111 system.