Ruan Fermark of Crisis on Call on Emergency Readiness – Are You Ready If Anything Happens?

In this episode of Community Matters on Radio Cape Pulpit 729 AM, Jean Morris chats with Ruan Fermark, director and communication manager of Crisis on Call, a national emergency support service with 24 years of experience. Ruan explains that Crisis on Call is not an ambulance service but an emergency response company that manages your crisis situation when the unexpected happens. He explains the problem with medical armbands that get stolen because they look like jewellery, and how Crisis on Call's armband is designed to have no resale value — it carries the emergency number and a unique code that links you to your critical medical information, which is distributed to the right channels in terms of the POPIA Act. Without that information, a person can end up as a "John Doe" in a government hospital, even if they have a very good medical aid. Ruan emphasises that Crisis on Call is not there to spread fear, but to help people be prepared and make informed decisions about their safety and health. He mentions common everyday risks: smash-and-grabs (around 211 incidents per day nationwide, more than 19,000 this year alone), children drowning in pools, choking, burns, electric shocks, and people living alone who fall ill without anyone knowing. He shares about a cycling crash where an injured person was confused and had no information on them — exactly where the armband could have made a massive difference. He explains that human beings are not designed for emergencies, and that panic is the normal reaction; that's why having a plan and the right information matters. For people living alone, Crisis on Call offers a personal health advice line where they can guide you through the process and send an ambulance or recommend a medical facility. Contact details: website crisis on call.co.za, SMS the word "puppet" to 48950 (R1.50 per SMS), or phone the national office line 0861 574 747 during office hours. Jean closes with six reminders: (1) don't wait for an emergency before finding out who to contact and what to do, (2) make sure your family knows what to do, (3) keep important emergency information easily accessible, (4) keep medical records close by, (5) be aware of your surroundings, and (6) never underestimate the importance of being prepared. Her closing message: "Being prepared today could make a difference tomorrow."