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Swiss Fight Fire With ...Er, Rap

Video promotes new emergency number

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 25, 2007 8:25 PM CDT

(Newser) – Tired of receiving directory assistance calls on their emergency line, Swiss firefighters filmed a rap video that no one could forget. The resulting “118 Project," which clears up the confusion, has become a YouTube sensation. “They chose rap because it is spoken and not sung,” a fire lieutenant told the BBC, “because clearly they are not singers.”

Confusion began in December when Switzerland changed its directory numbers, but left the department with 118, the same number as France’s directory assistance. Firefighters from four brigades danced, rapped, and donned hot pants for the video, delivering lyrics like “118, au cas ou tu flippes/ 118, inscrit-le dans ton slip” (118, in case you freak out/118, write it in your undies).

[Images (2)]

[Videos (2)]

Swiss firefighters rap for safety in this YouTube screen-capture. (kisertube (YouTube))

The song includes a line which translates to "118, in case you freak out/118, write it in your undies." (Shutterstock.com)

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The "118 Projec't" video, designed to raise awareness of an emergency number, has become an unexpected YouTube hit. (kisertube (YouTube))

American imitators promote safety through hip-hop. (bphair (YouTube))

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Swiss Fight Fire With ...Er, Rap