Something awful has happened. A bad road smash, a fire, a building collapse. A landslip. There are casualties. You’re first on the scene — who to call?

Take a pick — 110 or 112 for police, 113 for the fire brigade and 118 for an ambulance. Or 119.

Apart from mnemonists (people with extraordinary memories) and emergency professionals, who could recall the right digits in moments of peak stress? Having just one number that’s widely known would be a good start.

No disagreement — yet it seems that although the technology has long been available it hasn’t been matched by energy or will or both.

According to Trisna Daryanti, head of infrastructure evaluation in the Communication and Information Technology Ministry, an integrated emergency services number (IESN) is not in place across the nation.