Emergency Numbers and Procedures
Upon your arrival in Cape Town, we prioritize your safety by conducting a comprehensive safety briefing as part of your orientation. This briefing equips you with valuable tips on minimizing risks and handling challenging situations, should they arise. Our dedicated program staff continuously monitor local conditions to provide you with guidance and support throughout your stay.
To ensure your safety, we make important safety announcements on the VACorps Announcements Group on WhatsApp which you will be added to upon arrival. We offer 24-hour emergency support services every day of the week, and in the event of a severe crisis, VACorps will promptly contact your parents or your designated emergency contact to inform them about the situation and provide ongoing updates.
Emergency Procedures:
In the event of an emergency, please follow these procedures:
- If an emergency occurs during our office hours (weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.), you have two options:
- Contact one of our dedicated VACorps staff members.
- If you are unable to reach a staff member, please call the VACorps after-hours emergency number.
- If an emergency arises outside of our office hours or during the weekend:
- Call the after-hours emergency number
First response numbers:
All necessary emergency contact numbers are provided below, and you will also receive an emergency contact pocket card during orientation. This card lists the primary contact numbers you may need in case of an emergency.
| VACorps Safety Officer: | +27827450013 | Phone this number in case of an emergency 24/7 | This is the most important number, so be sure to save it on your phone |
| Observatory Walk Home Service | +27746369933 | Phone this number to get a walking escort home after dark whilst in Observatory | For example from Obz Cafe to 197 Lower Main Road at 11 pm. The security guards are friendly and responsive. |
| Rent-a-Room | +27824642941 | Phone this number if you have a housing emergency | For example a burst water pipe |
| Ambulance (Netcare Private Ambulance): | +2782911 | Phone this number in the case of a medical emergency. | |
| Nationwide (police) Emergency Response | 10111 | Use for any emergency nationwide. A call center will assign the emergency to the closest response team | Use for an emergency that requires a police response |
| Nationwide Emergency: dial from your cell phone | 112 | Works even if you don’t have credit on your phone or no cell phone signal; the call center will route you to the relevant emergency service closest to you | A very important number to have if you are traveling or on a road trip |
| Fire Department | 107 or +2721 480 7700 | ||
| Observatory Neighborhood Watch (control room) | +2721 447 1066 | Phone for suspected yet unproven criminal behavior | For example, if there is a homeless person harassing you and hanging around outside your house |
| Mountain Rescue: | +2721 937 0300 | Phone if you have an emergency while hiking | For example, you fall and break your leg |
| Aaron’s Locksmiths: | +2774 219 0657 | Phone if you lose your keys and the RAR office is closed | For example, your keys fall out of your pocket in a taxi on a weekend. |
| Excite Cab Services: | +2721 448 4444 | Phone if you can’t use Uber on your phone and need to catch a cab |