Swiss firefighters turn rap stars

The firefighters suggest writing their number in your undies

Firefighters in Switzerland have released a rap video to spread the word about their emergency phone number.

A group of young Geneva firefighters decided to film the clip to end public confusion between their number, 118, and new directory assistance hotlines.

The "118 Projec't" video features fighters from four local Swiss brigades - some sporting hot pants - dancing and rapping to hip hop beats.

Since its release, it has become a hit on YouTube, even sparking remix clips.

Underpants advice

In December 2006, the Swiss directory assistance hotline was changed to a series of four-digit numbers all starting with 18, while the firefighters' number, 118, was unchanged.

They chose rap because it is spoken and not sung, because clearly they are not singers Lt-Gen Raymond Wicky Geneva fire service

But there was very little public information about the changes from the Swiss government or phone companies, the firefighters say.

Across the border in France the directory assistance number is also 118, making the situation more confusing.

The firefighters say they received an average of 20 calls a day from members of the public seeking directory information between May and July 2007.

Concerned by the potentially tragic results of such interruptions, five young firefighters decided to promote their emergency number - as well as those of the police (117) and ambulance service (144) - in a rap song.

"They chose rap because it is spoken and not sung, because clearly they are not singers," Lt-Gen Raymond Wicky, from the Geneva fire service, told the BBC News website.

The song includes the lines "118, au cas ou tu flippes/ 118, inscrit-le dans ton slip" (118, in case you freak out/118, write it in your undies).