In 1991 the European Electronic Communications Code defined 112, a standard developed in 1976 as single European emergency number. The number was first implemented in Finland in 1993. A European directive from 2018 ensured that all end-users should have effective access to emergency services through emergency communications to the single European emergency number in the EU Member States. This applies notably to end-users with disabilities and those travelling within the Union alike, contributing to the free movement of persons.
112 can be called from landline and mobile phones to contact any emergency organisation, be it an ambulance and healthcare specialist, firefighters or the police. When calling this number, individuals will be connected to a trained operator who can provide direct assistance or who will transfer the call to a suitable emergency organisation. In addition to national languages, calls can be answered in English and French. Even when the persons who is calling cannot identify their position, it is possible to determine the location by tracing the call and directing the caller to the appropriate national emergency organisations.
For 112 to work seamlessly throughout Europe in accordance with the regulatory framework, emergency services stakeholders need to cooperate and collaborate.
Users need to trust the emergency services in their country for being incentivized to call them in case of emergency.
Users need to be alert for using the emergency number.
Bystanders need to feel responsible for calling the emergency number and reporting other crisis victims.
Citizens may not be fully aware of the dangers of not having a timely and efficient response from emergency services.
The European emergency number has been used for 30 years in Europe. At several instances local areas were not able to contact operators for technical difficulties. For ensuring continous technological updates for the Emergency number, the European Commission supports specific projects. For example, the implementation of Advanced Mobile Location (AML) was financed in 10 Member States through the HELP112 and HELP112 II projects.
In 10 years, AML could potentially save more than 10,000 lives in the EU by more precisely pinpointing the caller's location. When a caller dials 112 from their smartphone, AML uses the phone's functionalities and the EU's Galileo satellite navigation system, to accurately and efficiently transmit the caller's location to emergency services. AML is available in 19 Member States, Iceland and Norway. The Commission urges all Member States to quickly implement this life-saving technology, in line with the European Electronic Communications Code.
112 became the single European emergency number in 1991 and since then the regulatory framework for 112 has been strengthened to ensure that 112 is available and accessible to citizens wherever they are in Europe. As technology continues to evolve, the quality, reliability, interoperability, compatibility**,** and continuity of emergency communications to 112 number must be maintained.
Access to emergency services through 112 can never be allowed to become an afterthought in the design or implementation of future electronic communications networks and services. To achieve this, cooperation between all stakeholders is essential, for example, during the transition from 2G/3G to 4G/5G mobile technologies.