POLICE believe they will be able to respond faster to emergencies after their section in a new communications centre in Mt Helen went live. Emergency phone calls for police were directed through to the new centre in Mt Helen yesterday replacing the D24 centre in Mair Street, Ballarat.The move means up to 12 police officers will be returned to duty in Ballarat.The Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority centre is being touted as the first of its kind where phone calls for police, ambulance and the fire brigade are all directed through to the one centre.Staff at the Ballarat State Emergency Communications Centre will use a computer-aided dispatch system and advanced mapping to improve accuracy and speed when deploying emergency services.Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Steve Fontana said housing all of the emergency services in the one centre would allow them to respond faster to emergencies.“When you have a multi-agency incident or response you’ve got better coverage,” he said.ESTA general manager of call-taking and dispatch operations for Victoria Graham Thiessen said the new centre marked a milestone for emergency services.“It’s a significant moment in the development of emergency communications in Victoria,” he said.