EENA’s newsletter brings you the latest updates in emergency communications.
In this edition, you can read about ITU’s new resolution on providing handset-derived caller location information, the EU Commission’s eCall test procedures, Australia’s 3G network shutdown, our upcoming events and webinars, and much more.
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EENA News
Register now for the EENA 2025 Conference & Exhibition!
Registration is open for the EENA 2025 Conference & Exhibition! Get ready for three days packed with insightful discussions, cutting-edge technologies, and valuable networking opportunities.
Join us at Messukeskus in Helsinki, Finland, on 9-11 April 2025!
Our programme will explore topics related to implementing EU legislation requirements, AI applications, NG112 standards, operational topics, and more.
There’s still time to register for our NG112 & AI DAYS!
Our event on 4-5 December in Santa Cruz de Tenerife highlights key advancements in Next Generation 112 (NG112) and Artificial Intelligence, shaping the future of emergency communications.
The programme will focus on the transition to NG112, exploring the entire implementation process, including roadmaps and essential aspects like accessibility. It will also highlight the role of AI in emergency communications, with insights from EENA’s AI special project and practical solutions for PSAPs, such as noise elimination, detection, triage, and mission-critical communications.
Take a look at the draft programme.
EENA publishes a list of MEP Champions who support 112 in Europe
We have published a list of 27 MEPs from all major political groups committed to advancing emergency response and safety initiatives in the EU. MEPs joined this list after receiving information from EENA on its advocacy priorities in the European Parliament during the 2024-2029 mandate. Key issues include addressing the incomplete implementation of the European Electronic Communications Code Directive for emergency communications, ensuring access to 112 during the transition to 4G/5G networks, advancing next-generation eCall systems, and improving emergency communication access for persons with disabilities. We plan to meet with some of these MEPs in the coming weeks and aim to expand the 112 Champions list in the months ahead.
Take a look at the 112 Champions.
New blog post: Prepare your PSAP for NG eCall with Cestel’s NextGen eCall decoder and NextGen IVS eCall Simulator
CESTEL is advancing emergency response with their Next Generation eCall (NG eCall) solutions. By enabling real-time data sharing through IP-based networks, they’re helping emergency services reach road users faster and with greater precision. In our latest blog post you can learn more about CESTEL’s recent innovations and what they mean for the future of European emergency response.
Webinars
112 in Ukraine: Maintaining an emergency response during war time
12 November 2024, 14:30 CEST
This webinar will follow a keynote speech given at the EENA 2024 Conference by Leonid Tymchenko. The webinar will focus on presenting Ukrainian emergency service representatives’ efforts to maintain and even improve emergency response in the face of Russia’s invasion. From establishing remote working for call-takers to the preservation of their technical infrastructure and the launch of new 112 centres, join us for a demonstration of exceptional resilience.
Add to your calendar.
Register here.
Enhancing cardiac emergency responses with volunteer first responders in Europe’s rural areas
12 December at 14:30 CET
Many European regions follow the European Resuscitation Council Guidelines by alerting volunteer first responders (VFRs) near out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs), crucial in the ‘chain of survival.’ While VFR systems work well in urban areas, rural experiences are less understood. This webinar presents research on response times and rural VFR experiences, stressing the need for more recruitment and fire service dispatch in rural areas.
Add to your calendar.
Register here.
Regulatory news
Landmark resolution adopted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) adopted a landmark resolution at the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) in New Delhi, focusing on providing handset-derived caller location information for emergency communications. The initiative, proposed by EENA under the auspices of CEPT/Com-ITU, represents a significant step towards enabling emergency services worldwide to locate individuals in need of urgent assistance more efficiently. The resolution highlights the life-saving potential of smartphone technologies that use GNSS, Wi-Fi, and mobile networks for precise location data, enhancing traditional methods to speed up emergency response and save lives.
Read more on our press release.
The European Commission is preparing for test procedures for eCall in 2025
All new passenger car and van models are now equipped with eCall, a system that automatically contacts the European emergency number 112 in the event of a serious road accident. This initiative updates the technical standards and testing procedures to approve eCall systems to ensure they remain functional once the 2G/3G communication networks are phased out in the coming years.
Read more here (European Commission).
Emergency communications around the world
Australia shuts down 3G network
The shutdown of Australia’s 3G mobile network has started, impacting Telstra and Optus customers with devices dependent on 3G to make emergency calls. Vodafone previously ended its 3G services, and Telstra began blocking certain devices to comply with new regulations. Affected devices include 3G-only phones, some 4G/5G devices, personal alarms, and critical systems like EFTPOS and fire alarms. Rural communities, reliant on 3G for connectivity and healthcare services, face significant challenges. Under the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s guidance, Telstra and Optus informed customers about device upgrades to maintain emergency call access.
Read more here (Channel News).
New agreements signed to extend the EU unified 112 emergency system to Ukraine
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Commission have committed €52 million in EU funding to support the rollout of Ukraine’s 112 emergency call system. The funding will support the implementation of a nationwide 112 emergency call system, unifying ambulance, police, fire, and emergency gas services under a single emergency number. The unified system aims to ensure quicker and more coordinated responses to emergencies, which is especially crucial during the ongoing war.
Read more here (europa.eu).
NG911 system kept emergency communications working during Hurricane Helene
The NG911 system in North Carolina functioned during Hurricane Helene ensuring emergency communications remained working. NG 911 technology connects all 124 public safety answering points (PSAPs) in North Carolina. This technology uses a digital emergency services internet protocol to reroute 911 calls from their local PSAP to other PSAPs across the state. This rerouting capability ensured that 911 calls to PSAPs affected by the storm could be answered by PSAPs in non-impacted areas. During the hurricane, 19 PSAPs in western North Carolina rerouted 911 calls to 23 partner PSAPs across the state.
Read more here (Watauga Online)
EENA was here
A glimpse of the recent events EENA has taken part in.
22-24 October 2024, Leuven, Belgium EENA attended the 2024 Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) Implementation Workshop and Training in Leuven, Belgium. This event brought together experts to discuss emergency alerting through the CAP standard. Participants shared insights on CAP-enabled emergency warning systems worldwide, including projects focused on natural disaster response, public-private partnerships and advancements in alerting technology. This annual workshop serves as a vital forum for international collaboration to improve CAP adoption and strengthen global emergency preparedness.