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Russia’s first emergency hot line for deaf-mute launched in Siberia

From now on deaf-mute people can send a text message to the common emergency mobile number

BARNAUL, December 20. /ITAR-TASS/. Biysk, in Russia’s Altai Territory, Siberia, has become the first Russian city to have opened an emergency hot line for the deaf-mute, the local Interior Ministry department said Friday.

The emergency phone number for people with hearing problems was introduced at the initiative of a member of the Biysk police community council Viktor Vizer, who is also director of a college for physically challenged teenagers.

“Every day I see the problems that face physically challenged students, one of them being the inability to use a phone to call for help in emergency,” he explained.

The proposal was approved by the Biysk police. From now on deaf-mute people can send an SMS to the common emergency mobile number 8-963-502-25-22 to report their problem and give their name, surname and address. Biysk’s residents have already been informed of the new service. The police have warned possible hoaxers they would be fully prosecuted for false alarms.

If Biysk’s emergency number proves effective, the system will be adopted in the whole region.