Update: The channel was eventually shut down as all participants can now be found in #nzscanners on irc.synirc.net. Join us there!

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nzrescue.blakjak.net was an IRC Chatroom for emergency services personnel, started some years ago by a couple of enthusiastic online participants. Its original home was the Cairdiuil.net IRC network by virtue of the irc.blakjak.net IRC server participating in that network.
The channel was closed down for a period, but a few die-hard members and enthusiasts have resurrected it. :)

Join us in #Call-111 on irc.zirc.org to join in the fun.
Alternatively, please download and install our Special mIRC Build which will do it all for you.

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The Custom mIRC Build Explained:

The Special mIRC Build is a repackaged mIRC build, preconfigured to automatically connect to our chatroom. It is otherwise unmodified. mIRC is probably the most popular IRC client for the Windows platform; if you run any other operating system or would otherwise prefer an alternative, please use the client of your preference (see below).

Copyright and Trademarks for the mIRC application remain with the mIRC Company; we strongly recommend their software - if you like it, register!! (we have!)

Installation:
1. Download the installer archive from the above link.
2. Run the installer. This will run a standard installation wizard which will put the mIRC files into c:\program files\mirc by default.
3. Read the Readme if you wish. Run the program! (Both of these will open by default on completion of the Wizard.)
4. The program will automatically connect you to zirc.org and join you to the #Call-111 chatroom. Take the opportunity to Change the basic configuration options in the screen that comes up first, and click OK. (A restart may be required for some changes to take effect.)
5. Talk to us!

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And then, a little history....

A few people from different circles had observed to me that there was no resource online that would provide real-time-chat facilities for Emergency Services related discussions of a New Zealand nature. Motivated by this a few people from the NZ Scanners group (who also happen to be involved in EMS) sat down and set up a channel for the purpose.

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The Target Audience:

Members of the following organisations:

• New Zealand Fire Service - Both volunteer and professional
  
• Rural Fire Service
  
• NZ Defence Force
  
• New Zealand Police
  
• Order of St John (Ambulance) - Both volunteer and professional
  
• Wellington Free Ambulance (And other Ambulance services as appropriate)
  

AND: Enthusiasts and family/friends of the above.

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How to get connected (using standard IRC software):

1. Download mIRC (for windows) or obtain suitable IRC applications for your OS. (Examples: XChat, KSIRC both for Linux. (Check your version, there are packages for both generally) or IRCle, XChat for the Mac (being OS9.x and OSX respectively).)

2. Configure the client to connect to irc.zirc.org. (this is a DNS entry for multiple Zirc.org servers; if it doesn't work at first, try again - another will be chosen at random.) (Note, the NZRescue mIRC build will do this for you automatically).

3. Once connected. type /join #call-111. (The NZRescue mIRC build will also do this for you automatically.)

4. Enjoy!

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What to expect...
Its fully expected that shop-talk about things that are of specific interest to the various parties present will happen. Indeed this is welcomed. Persons who join our channel must respect the time, hours, committment and stress involved - and as they say, "What goes on Channel, stays on Channel."

Freedom of Speech will be honoured but some level of manners and good behavior is expected. We're human. :-)

Some consideration for the fact that people outside of the Emergency Services community will likely be present in the channel, is probably appropriate from time to time. Get to know the regulars!

This chatroom was founded and is administered by FhoneMan and zaf, both of whom are either members or stout supporters of NZ Emergency Services.

Thanks for visiting! See you online!

Cheers, Mark/BlakJak.
(I am a member of #call-111 myself but do not represent the channel management. I do host this web address, however....)