1. Establishment of National Emergency Response Call Centers (NERCC)

In an effort to bring the Gambia’s emergency service requirement to acceptable international standards, The NBP will establish regional 24/7 emergency call centers under the national emergency service system, each fully equipped with:

• A unified emergency contact number (e.g., 112 or 911-style), accessible nationwide for police, medical and fire emergencies;
  
• Trained dispatchers fluent in local languages and English, capable of handling triage, prioritization and multi-agency coordination;
  
• Real-time call tracking software, radio communication systems and GPS-enabled vehicle routing tools to dispatch responders quickly and efficiently;
  
• Back-up power systems and secure data storage to ensure uninterrupted service even during outages.
  
  These emergency call centers will be strategically located in major cities and regions i.e. Banjul, Brikama, Gunjur, Serrekunda, Brufut, Bakau, Busumbala, Farafenni, Basse, Soma, and Janjanbureh, with gradual expansion to rural areas to ensure nationwide coverage.

2. Integration of Police, Medical and Fire Services

A modern emergency system requires seamless coordination among responders. The NBP’s model will unify three critical branches:

a. The Gambia Police Forces GPF

• Police patrols will be equipped with GPS-enabled radios and digital tablets linked to the call centers.
  
• Emergency response units will be stationed near urban and high-risk zones, allowing for rapid deployment.
  
• The training in emergency de-escalation, civilian support and community policing will be standardized nationwide.

b. Fire and Rescue service

• Modern firefighting equipment, fire trucks and water tank systems will be procured.
  
• Fire stations will be retrofitted or built anew, with rescue tools for structural collapses, road accidents and natural disasters.
  
• Teams will include trained emergency medics and rescue divers, especially for riverine and coastal communities.
  

c. Ambulance and Medical Services

• A new national ambulance service will be introduced with ambulances stationed at hospitals and health centers.
  
• Ambulances will be equipped with basic life-saving equipment (oxygen, stretchers, defibrillators).
  
• Paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) will be trained under a new national standard and deployed across the country.
  
  

3. Community Emergency Education and Awareness

The emergency response system will not succeed without an informed public. The NBP will launch nationwide education campaigns, including:

• Teaching school children and communities how to call for help, what to say, and how to assist until help arrives;
  
• Training community volunteers in basic first aid, CPR, and fire safety as part of a National Community Safety Corps;
  
• Provide emergency numbers and safety protocols in public buildings, schools, transport stations and marketplaces.
  
  

4. Use of Technology and Smart Infrastructure

The NBP envisions a digital-first emergency response platform that uses modern tools for speed, accountability and coordination:

• Mobile emergency apps that allow users to call for help, send GPS coordinates or request silent police support;
  
• Public alert systems (text messages, radio, and mobile push notifications) for disaster warnings and safety information;
  
• Digitized call logs and reports for accountability, legal use and analytics to monitor response time and improve performance.
  
  

5. Employment and Capacity Building

This initiative will also create thousands of skilled jobs across The Gambia:

• The Employment and training of dispatchers, call center staff, drivers, EMTs, engineers, and communication technicians;
  
• Partnership with international institutions to create training centers in emergency medicine, disaster preparedness and crisis management;
  
• Allocation of  government scholarships for Gambian youth to study emergency services abroad and return to build local expertise.
  
  

6. International Collaboration and Standards

The NBP government will partner with international emergency service providers, NGOs, and donor nations to:

• Source equipment and expertise from countries with successful systems (e.g., U.S., U.K., Germany, Turkey);
  
• Develop national emergency protocols modeled on WHO, Red Cross, and UN emergency frameworks;
  
• Invite volunteer missions and technical consultants to train Gambian personnel and support capacity-building.