EENA’s newsletter brings you the latest updates in emergency communications.
In this edition, you can read about failings in public warning amidst Texas floods, the launch of cell broadcast in Latvia, Sweden’s plans to launch RTT, burnout amongst dispatchers in the US, and much more!
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EENA News
Updated EENA logo
We’re going back to our roots, and bringing 112 back into our logo!
This small but meaningful change is a reflection of who we are and what we’ve always stood for: supporting emergency services and working to improve public safety across Europe. The 112 number has always been at the heart of our mission. It represents a shared European commitment to saving lives, and we believe it deserves to be clearly visible, including in our visual identity. You’ll start seeing our updated logo appear across our channels soon, as we gradually roll it out.
New EENA document: Implementation strategies for accessible emergency services
Our latest publication explores how accessible emergency communications are evolving across the EU, driven by the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC). The report explains the concept of functional equivalency, which ensures that people who are Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing can contact emergency services on equal terms with others. It highlights Total Conversation – combining audio, video, and Real-Time Text – as a key enabler, and showcases national approaches in Sweden, the Netherlands, and France. From relay services and multilingual chat to direct access via RTT and sign language call centres, these examples offer practical insights to support inclusive, real-time access to 112.
New EENA blog post: Emergency communications over LTE and IMS: Unresolved issues and risks
Our latest blog post highlights growing concerns as emergency calls move to LTE and other IP-based technologies. While these systems offer new possibilities, they also bring risks if not properly tested and implemented. Issues such as failed emergency calls while roaming, problems with caller identification and callbacks, and inconsistent SMS delivery to 112 have been reported. In some cases, emergency features like location sharing or fallback access fail entirely. These problems often stem from gaps in coordination between mobile networks, devices, and PSAP systems, and may only surface during real emergencies. The blog calls for full end-to-end testing and closer cooperation among mobile operators, public authorities, and emergency services to ensure that newer technologies meet the same standards of reliability and accessibility as legacy systems.
Save the date: EENA Event: Future EU Legislation on Emergency Communications
Save the date for our upcoming event on EU legislation on emergency communications! The event will be held on 3-4 December in Brussels at the Microsoft Executive Briefing Centre. The event is limited to 120 participants. Stay tuned, as the registration for the event will open in the second semester of 2025!
Webinars
Did you miss our latest webinar? If you missed our latest webinar on integrating emergency communications into critical infrastructure frameworks, or want to revisit the topic, you can now watch the recording on our website!
The webinar explores how emergency communications systems are treated within national critical infrastructure frameworks across different countries, and can serve as a reference for national planning and benchmarking.
Are you interested in sharing your expertise in an EENA webinar? You can contact Sanna Antila at [email protected] to suggest topics you’d like to speak on in our upcoming webinars.
Emergency communications around the world
Real-time texting to 112 to launch in Sweden next March
In March 2025, SOS Alarm will introduce a new service allowing the public to contact 112 via real-time text instead of calling. The feature, already available on some smartphones, enables users to send text messages during emergencies, with the added benefit of ambient sound transmission, which is an important cue for SOS operators assessing the situation. While the service will be open to everyone, it is primarily intended to support people with hearing or speech impairments. SOS Alarm encourages the public to continue calling when possible, but notes that texting may be crucial in silent situations, such as during a violent incident. The change is expected to improve accessibility but could require additional resources due to an anticipated rise in message volume.
Read more here (Sweden Herald).
Latvia launches cell broadcast alert system
Latvia has launched a nationwide cell broadcast system to deliver rapid alerts during natural disasters or other crises. Operational since 1 July, the system was developed by SIA Meditec and coordinated by the Ministry of the Interior’s Information Centre, following delays due to procurement issues. Unlike SMS, cell broadcast messages appear automatically on mobile phones with a distinct tone and cannot be forwarded. Alerts reach anyone in the affected area, including visitors, without registration. The State Fire and Rescue Service selects when and where messages are sent. The €3.4 million project, mostly EU-funded, supports various alert types and complements Latvia’s existing 112 emergency app. A public information campaign is planned for November to raise awareness.
Texas floods expose gaps in emergency alerts
Flash floods in Central Texas have killed at least 90 people, with Kerr County among the hardest hit. Torrential rains caused the Guadalupe River to rise over 30 feet in a few hours, sweeping through campsites and rural communities during the early morning hours of 4 July. Many victims were asleep or without phones, limiting the impact of official alerts issued overnight. The tragedy has reignited debate over Texas’ emergency warning systems. State Rep. Wes Virdell, who had previously voted against a bill to improve disaster communication infrastructure, now says he would reconsider. House Bill 13 aimed to fund outdoor sirens, better alerts, and local grants for rural counties, but failed in the Senate due to cost concerns. Local officials say sirens had been proposed in Kerr County but were dismissed because of high costs to local taxpayers. Critics warn that fragmented systems leave rural areas vulnerable. While the state has invested in emergency equipment like aircraft and drones, gaps remain in local alert coverage. Further rainfall is expected in the coming days, as search and rescue efforts continue.
Read more here (Texas Tribune).
India tests nationwide cell broadcast
On 28 June, India’s Department of Telecom issued a test emergency alert via cell broadcast to mobile phones across the country. The message, marked as a test, aimed to assess the effectiveness of the government’s new alert system developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT). The system is designed to improve public safety by delivering timely evacuation instructions and critical updates. Users can manage test alerts through their device settings on both Android and iOS platforms.
New report highlights mounting pressure on US 911 centres and the rising role of AI
The United States’ 911 emergency communications centres are facing unprecedented pressure, according to the 2025 Pulse of 9-1-1 report. Burnout has now overtaken staffing shortages as the top concern, with nearly 70% of dispatchers experiencing stress before every shift. High dropout rates during training and growing system outages are also straining operations. Technology failures rose sharply in the past year, with nearly 90% of centres reporting outages and a notable rise in cyberattacks. Despite this, many continue to rely on outdated systems. The report also points to a growing embrace of AI, especially for language translation, automated triage, and workload reduction. While adoption remains limited, leaders see technology as key to bridging staffing gaps, modernising training, and improving responder well-being. Cloud migration and wellness-focused strategies are expected to shape the future.
Sweden’s SOS Alarm tests mobile operations centre
During Almedalen Week in Visby, SOS Alarm tested a new mobile operations centre aimed at enhancing crisis response capabilities. The unit is designed to quickly adapt the alarm chain to various types of events, particularly when preparedness levels are raised. In cooperation with Region Gotland and the local rescue services, the mobile centre was assessed through a full operational cycle. This included transporting the unit to the site, establishing operations, delivering services, and then dismantling, transporting, and restoring the centre to its original state. The exercise demonstrated the flexibility and effectiveness of managing emergency response from mobile locations, under different conditions, and forms part of SOS Alarm’s broader efforts to strengthen national resilience.
Read more here (Gotland Live, in Swedish).
NENA names John Provenzano as new CEO
NENA: The 9-1-1 Association has appointed John Provenzano as its new CEO, effective 14 July. Announced at the NENA 2025 Conference, Provenzano brings over 25 years of experience in corporate and association management, including leadership roles in public affairs and government relations. He succeeds Brian Fontes, who led NENA for 16 years.
Upcoming in our network
Express your interest in joining the SUNSHINE training seminars: EU space solutions for disaster resilience
The SUNSHINE project, which is developed under the guidance of the European Commission’s DG DEFIS and in partnership with DG ECHO, is launching a series of training seminars designed to help professionals in this field use EU Space data and services to strengthen disaster resilience across Europe. Four multi-day in-person seminars will be held in 2025 and 2026, and the first one will take place in Tallinn, Estonia, from 24 to 27 November 2025.
If you work in civil protection, emergency management, or disaster risk reduction, this is your opportunity to express interest in joining the SUNSHINE training series. Take part to boost your skills, gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge EU Space tools, and help your organisation lead the way in using advanced technologies for disaster resilience.
Submit your expression of interest!
Help shape the future of eCall – Your input is needed!
The X_HeERO project is working to prepare Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) across Europe for the rollout of Next Generation eCall (NG eCall). This includes tackling new challenges such as receiving alerts from vulnerable road users and automated vehicles.
To better understand PSAP needs, the project consortium has launched a short survey. Your input will provide a better understanding of the PSAP needs for handling eCall notifications from vulnerable road users and autonomous vehicles.
EENA was here
Hi, European Accessibility Act… Let’s Rock Accessibility!
3 July 2025, Brussels, Belgium
EENA participated in the event “Hi, European Accessibility Act… Let’s Rock Accessibility!” organised by Accessible Europe in Brussels. The event celebrated the entry into application of the European Accessibility Act and aimed at discussing the current state of accessibility of different services in Europe. EENA took part in a discussion panel on accessibility in telecommunication and audiovisual services, along with representatives from Connect Europe, the European Union of the Deaf, AccessCat Network and the European Commission.
Security Research Event
24-25 June 2025, Warsaw, Poland
EENA took part in the Security Research Event, where policy makers, security practitioners, industry professionals and knowledge institutions came together to discuss the security challenges facing the European Union, and how EU-based research and innovation can effectively contribute to addressing them. Ensuring the safety of the people is EENA’s core mission, making the insights gained during the discussions especially valuable for us. The 2025 edition of SRE was focused on boosting security through EU-based innovation, emphasising the importance of technological solutions in enhancing the EU’s preparedness and response capabilities. The effective implementation of research, corresponding to real needs identified by safety and security practitioners, is a major factor for bolstering the security industry’s competitiveness and streamlining innovation uptake.