Each year on 11 February, Europe is proud to come together to celebrate European 112 Day. Established in 2009, and dedicated to raising awareness of the European emergency number 112, it is a day to recognise the work of all those who contribute to the European emergency services chain.
Member States all over Europe organise communication activities and other events to promote the European Emergency number 112 to their citizens and help spread the message of 112.
On this day, we celebrate together, and EENA is excited to be sharing the various actions taking place in different countries.
Below, you’ll find a series of actions taking place to mark 112 day, including:
– Open doors activities
– Awareness Campaigns
– Announcement of new 112 functionalities
– National 112 Awards Ceremonies
112 Day resources 2024
How are countries celebrating 112 day in 2024?
Andorra
The Fire Department of Andorra
Bulgaria
Ministry of Interior
Minitry of Interior
112 Day will be celebrated with a number of activities in Bulgaria:
– Broadcasting of video material visualizing the coordination between 112 and the Emergency services with the scenario of a signal being received on the emergency 112 phone about domestic violence
– Charity exhibition bazaar with craftsmen by employees of NS 112 and graduates of the art schools of the National Children’s Palace. The collected funds will be transferred to a bank account with a cause to help the children of MoI employees who died in the line of duty
Employees will be awarded for exemplary performance of official duties.
They will invite the political leadership of the Ministry of the Interior, directors of directorates of the Ministry of the Interior, the Emergency services, and the media to this event.
The materials will be available at this link https://www.facebook.com/www.mvr.bg after the event.
Denmark
Hovedstadens Beredskab
Hovedstadens Beredskab
112 Day will see Denmark run a social media campaign, letting their citizens know how they use their tools, and why and how it helps them provide the best service. The tools highlighted will be:
- AML (advanced mobile location)
- Livestreaming
- Sharpi (a recent tool, that allows them to remove background noise from the calls)
Sunday they will celebrate the 112 Day with their staff, who every day work hard to make sure that Danish citizens feel safe.
France
City of Nice
City of Nice
Organised by the Metropole Nice-Cote d’Azur (Greater Nice metropolis) through its Europe-Direct Information Centre, a local event on 8th February will gather about 50 children and their school teachers. Local firefighters, the organisation Handicap International and the civil protection association ASCA 06 will also be present.
Luxembourg
Direction Générale
Direction Générale
On 112 Day, Luxembourg will share a social media campaign on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Lithuania
Emergency Response Centre
Malta
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Interior
The Ministry for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality through the Malta Police Force, the Civil Protection Department and the Armed Forces of Malta together with the Emergency Department will be organising a 112 Awareness Day on 7th February 2024 within a Primary School, where the following will take place:
- Press conference addressed by the Hon. Minister, providing 112 statistical information
- Demonstrations by all Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs)
- Provision of 112 promotional material on the day
- News bulletin spot
Moreover, throughout the year Malta make sure that 112 awareness is still ongoing through the following methods:
- Social Media Marketing
- All year promotional activities within schools/colleges and universities
- Awareness through the Public Service EXPO 2024 which will be showcasing all Emergency Management Services during May 2024 with 112 promotional material
- Marketing through TV commercials.
The Netherlands
The Landelijke Meldkamer Samenwerking
The Landelijke Meldkamer Samenwerking and Dutch National Police
The Netherlands will give all of their dispatchers and staff a small gift: they will receive a small chocolate bar (Tony Chocolonely) with a personalized design and Thank you message.
They will make a digital card available so the locations itself can send a message to the people at the 112 Offices and we will have a social post about this on the day.
Romania
112 Romania
112 Romania
On the anniversary of the European 112 Day and 20 years after the implementation of the single emergency number in Romania, the Special Telecommunications Service (STS), as the administrator of the Emergency Call System, has initiated a communication campaign to promote the 112-related activities in our country and to raise the awareness about the responsible emergency number calling.
Through various actions, they aim to enhance the public image of the Emergency Service 112 and garner support from the civil society.
The campaign was launched on 8th of February 2024, and will run throughout February under the slogan If it’s not an emergency, think twice! Call 112 responsibly!, with various activities being undertaken with the potential to enhance and consolidate the public image of the Emergency Service 112. The campaign also aims to inform the public about the Emergency Call System importance and operation, distinguishing between urgent and non-urgent situations, as follows:
- Creating, together with specialized response agencies enrolled in SNECS, a video material promoting responsible calling to the emergency number 112, in order to be transmitted to the media and published on social networks, along with the involved agencies.
- Participation of the STS spokesperson together with a call-taker of Emergency Call System in media interviews to promote the European 112 Day and the responsible calling, as well as to provide information about the extensive training of STS operators within Emergency Service 112, and about successful cases examples handled throughout the year 2023.
- Publishing a representative cover image of Emergency Service 112 dedicated to the 20 years of single emergency number operation in Romania and maintaining throughout February on the STS Facebook and LinkedIn pages.
- Illuminating in red, on February 11, 2024, the STS communication tower, along with over 60 other locations, including public central, county, and local authorities, educational and cultural institutions, tourist attractions, and private companies in Romania, in a unified effort to demonstrate support for Emergency Service 112, to promote the emergency number and raise awareness about 112 responsible calling.
- Sending a press release on February 11, 2024, containing the main statistics related to 112 calls in 2023, cases handled by STS call-takers, and a warning signal regarding abusive calling.
- Posting a promotional article on the professional network LinkedIn, showcasing The Future Technologies used in Emergency Call Management.
- Sharing on the STS social media networks (Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn) certain exceptional cases exemplary handled by the 112 operators in 2023, as best practice examples.
- Local distribution of anniversary correspondences addressed to institutional partners within specialized response agencies.
- Organizing presentations for schoolchildren in Bucharest and nationwide during February, regarding the activities carried out by STS operators and relevant information about 112 responsible calling, based on requests made by educational institutions.
Sweden
SOS Alarm
SOS Alarm
They will celebrate 112 Day in several ways, including activities within PSAPs, social media campaigns, and a 112 Day special event for invited authorities, regions, municipalities, and other actors involved directly or indirectly in 112. The programme of this event includes:
Meet National Police Commissioner Petra Lundh: Get a unique opportunity to listen to our new National Police Commissioner and about the Police Authority’s priorities going forward.
SOS Alarm’s CEO Madeleine Raukas: Take part in insights from SOS Alarm – what does the situation look like on Sweden’s emergency number 112?
Panel 1 – The reality behind the blue lights – How can collaboration be strengthened throughout the alarm chain?
Participants: Martin Jemarson, Site Manager at SOS Alarm’s central in Skåne, Gunilla Glasare, Head of the Growth and Built Environment Department at SKR, Patrik Söderberg, Head of Prehospital at Region Stockholm
Panel 2 – Resilience 2.0 – what role do volunteer enthusiasts play in civil defence?
Participants: Annika Elmgart, Head of the Department of Emergency Preparedness and Civil Defence at MSB , Johan Modigh, Head of the Emergency Preparedness Department at SOS Alarm, Lotta Finstrop, County Governor of Norrbotten, Thomas Warberg, Secretary General of the Swedish Civil Defence Association
Presentation of the 112 Prize
The program will be updated regularly on their website.
Belgium
Brussels Fire Brigade
Brussels Fire Brigade
112 Day will be celebrated with a number of activities by the Brussels Fire Brigade:
- Personalised gift for each 112 call taker and dispatcher
- 112 banner on the EU building LEX ( Wetstraat 145)
- Ministry of Interior will visit the PSAP on the 9th and will also bring a personalised gift for each 112 call taker and dispatcher
- A social media campaign will be launched to promote the job of call taker and advise the citizens on using 112 responsibly
Czech Republic
Fire & Rescue Service
Fire & Rescue Service
The Fire & Rescue Service of Czech Republic will celebrate 112 Day in several ways. Celebration includes web and social media posts, competitions at social media pages, information stands in shopping centres, live reports from PSAPs on radio Český rozhlas, a report on Czech national TV of how eCall works, and 3 morning broadcasts of commercials on TV Nova. People will have opportunity to visit their PSAPs where it is possible to see how 112 works in the Czech Republic.
Finland
Emergency Response Centre Agency
Emergency Response Centre Agency
112 Day is a Finnish nationwide campaign to raise people’s awareness of what everyday safety is and how it can be promoted. 112 Day has traditionally been a joint event for different safety authorities, organisations and volunteers. Every year, local events are organised across the country and people are actively campaigning on social media.
In Finland the theme for 2024 will be ‘How to use the emergency number correctly’. 112 Day also reminds us of the European emergency number 112 and of what to do in an emergency. 112 Day has traditionally been a joint event for different safety authorities, organisations and volunteers. Every year, local events are organised across the country and people are actively campaigning on social media.
Greece
Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection/General Secretariat for Civil Protection
Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection/General Secretariat for Civil Protection
The Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection/General Secretariat for Civil Protection in Greece will run a digital campaign aiming to raise further awareness of the use of 112 and its importance.
There will be an official launch of two new videos, aiming to increase awareness of the use and functions of both the inbound and outbound components of 112 among the foreign citizens residing or visiting Greece. It will include EN subtitles and International Sign Language (ISL) so that they are fully accessible. These videos will be part of 2024 social media campaign.
Latvia
Emergency Response Centre, Fire and Rescue Service
Emergency Response Centre, Fire and Rescue Service
In Latvia, as every year, there are multiple activities planned in February. The main focus will be on informing society about new web page and phone app – www.112.lv.
They will organize lectures in schools, where officials from State fire and rescue service will educate their students about correct actions in emergency cases and calling 112. They will provide pupils with new designed work sheets and show presentations.
From February 12th to 16th, information about the united emergency number 112 will be shared on the Fire and Rescue service Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages; competitions on social networks will be held as well.
Moldova
112 Moldova
112 Moldova
The 112 Service in Moldova have several activities planned to celebrate:
A press briefing with be held media representatives, where we will present the 2023 year- end summary.
The following day, they will organize an award ceremony to honour and express gratitude to telecommunications operators, system engineers, and colleagues in administrative management.
Simultaneously, they aim to conduct an awareness campaign among children. For one week, they will visit schools across the Republic of Moldova, where they will share information about how to call 112 and distribute informative materials.
Poland
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Interior
There are 17 PSAPs in Poland, managed by approximately 1200 qualified responders of 112 emergency number.
Following the example from previous years, during 112 day, every PSAP organizes their local ceremonies with festive cakes and the presence of authorities and emergency services officials. There are also thematic competitions conducted for children, educational lectures at schools and meetings with little heroes, children who have saved someone’s life by calling 112 emergency number.
Every year the 112 Day is the subject in all kinds of media, and is a great opportunity to raise awareness for the significance of thee number and chance to educate public about its appropriate usage. Interviews conducted with operators, during PSAPs’ open days, familiarize people with the job characteristics. There is an annual tradition that the Minister of the Interior and Administration honours the PSAPs’ most committed and devoted employees with awards and inscripted plaques. This year central celebration will be held in Katowice.
Photos and reports of all related happenings will be available on governmental website 112.gov.pl, tweeted on @MSWiA_gov_pl and posted on individual PSAP’s social media accounts.
Slovakia
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Interior
- The activities planned for the European Day 112 across various regions are as follows:
1. Banská Bystrica: Approximately 100 primary school students will participate in a session at the District Office to learn about the integrated emergency system. They will receive lectures on the emergency call line 112 and demonstrations from various emergency services.
2. Trnava: A meeting with elementary school children will be held, covering the role of the 112 operator and demonstrations by Emergency Medical Service, HaZZ, and the Police. Children will visit the coordination center of the Integrated Emergency System.
3. Prešov: A program for 250 primary school students and the public at the Coordination Center will showcase the work of 112 operators and emergency services. It will include presentations, demonstrations of automotive technology, and tours of emergency service facilities.
4. Bratislava: A presentation of the Integrated Emergency System components and a demonstration of the workspace will be organized for elementary school children.
5. Trenčín: A workshop featuring practical demonstrations will be held for a selected class from an elementary school. It includes a presentation on the emergency line 112, a tour of the coordination center, and first aid provision by paramedics.
6. Košice: A presentation on the activities of IZS components is planned for secondary school students, depending on space availability.
7. Nitra: Presentations and demonstrations showcasing various emergency services components will be held for a primary school in Vráble. This includes tours, demonstrations of canine training, technical equipment showcases, and first aid presentations.
8. Žilina: A comprehensive program at the District Office and the Faculty of Security Engineering premises will include presentations, speeches, tours, and demonstrations by emergency services. The program aims to familiarize participants with the integrated rescue system and its operations.
Overall, these activities aim to educate students and the public about emergency services and the importance of the 112 emergency number.
Spain
112 Galicia, 112 Canary Islands
112 Galicia
As every year, 112 Galicia is organising various activities to celebrate #112Day2024. First of all, there are the visits: they are the best way to reach the population and we try to make the most of them.
On Friday 9th they will organise an open day at the 112 Galicia Integrated Emergency Response Centre (Centro Integrado de Atención a las Emergencias), where anyone who wants to can come and learn about the work they do.
They have also recorded a short documentary entitled “What does it mean to be a 112 Galicia operator”, which focuses on our managers, following one of them throughout a working day. It will be screened in the cinema of the town where 112 Galicia is located, A Estrada.
Finally, in social networks they are carrying out important work to raise public awareness with information about the common emergency number that will be shared on their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
112 Canary Islands
The Emergency and Security Coordination Center 112 of the Canary Islands will dedicate 112 Day to society, highlighting society’s role as part of the team of this service. The citizens have a large role in the system as the ones to call in emergency situations and the ones who must responsibly use the service.
In addition, the day will reveal activities carried out by the Emergency and Security Coordination Center 112 in the Canary Islands during the last year (2023), with interviews being carried out with media on the occasion of the celebration of this day. All these actions will also be promoted through the social media profiles available.
Organisation of American States
Department of Public Security