The strong adoption of smart-phones and the increasingly common use of geo-location functions by users, make mobile applications ('Apps') a powerful tool for information to emergency services. They can improve location information with several techniques, saving lives, time and resources.
In March 2015, EENA published the '112 Apps Strategy' document, where three core objectives were identified:
- Deliver the architecture: This refers to the update of the current technical architecture to address identified implementation issues, with the aim to reach the implementation of a Pan-European Mobile Emergency Apps (PEMEA) architecture.
- Deliver a set of requirements and deployment guidelines: In order to ensure that the PEMEA works all over Europe, all stakeholders need to know the requirements and processes to follow for a successful implementation.
- Develop a certification and authentication programme: This refers to both app providers and service providers (Public Safety Answering Points, or PSAPs), in order to cover the entire chain of emergency apps.
After requests from our members about the status of EENA’s work on 112 apps, we are happy to provide an update on our actions and future plans.
PEMEA architecture document
This document will be published in November 2015. It will describe a functional architecture, requirements and data flows to support existing app providers and service providers to communicate with other providers and enable mobile emergency calling apps to operate while roaming anywhere in Europe.
Guidelines to relevant stakeholders
Guidelines are going to be provided to interested stakeholders during the 'EENA Members Workshop', which is to be held on 19-21 October 2015 in Brussels, Belgium.
PEMEA format document
EENA will publish a second document in November 2015, which will provide a description of the formatting incorporated in the PEMEA architecture, such as fields and messaging formats.
Certification programme
EENA will develop a certification programme for both service providers and App providers. The programme will be developed by early 2016 (Q1 of 2016) and will cover the entire chain of emergency apps.
Contact details database
EENA intends to compile and manage a database, to be ready in 2016, to include contact details of app providers and service providers. The aim is to facilitate cross-border communication and to bridge between parties interested in communicating with each other efficiently.
Lastly, EENA intends to work closely with ETSI EMTEL, which is about to launch a Working Item on 'Emergency App Guidelines'.
For more information, please contact Cristina Lumbreras at [email protected].
Useful links
'112 Apps Strategy' EENA operations document