EENA’s newsletter brings you the latest updates in emergency communications.
In this edition, you can read about new eCall standards, Portugal’s emergency system reform, Bulgaria’s 112 system update, Bangaluru police using an AI-powered 112 helpline, our upcoming webinars and much more!
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EENA News
EENA calls for resilient emergency communications to be included in EU Stockpiling Strategy
EENA responded to the European Commission’s consultation on the upcoming EU Stockpiling Strategy, emphasising the need to address vulnerabilities in electronic communications networks that support emergency communications.
EENA recommends that the strategy take a broad approach to stockpiling, not only focusing on physical equipment, but also including non-tangible resources. This means increasing battery storage capacity at cell towers to ensure they remain functional during power outages, adding redundant capacity to satellite networks that could support 112 services, and placing stockpiles strategically to ensure quick deployment during crises. Recent events, such as Storm Éoywn in Ireland and the Iberian power failure, highlight the need for action, as both caused disruptions to access to 112.).
Webinars
Transitioning Norway’s healthcare telephony: From ISDN to packet-switched networks while ensuring full availability
27 May at 14:30 CEST
Norway’s Health Services Operational Organization for Emergency Network (HDO HF) has completed a major transition from ISDN-based telephony to modern packet-switched networks for PSAPs and emergency rooms, prompted by the national ISDN shutdown in 2022. The shift, completed within a year, ensured uninterrupted service for emergency numbers 113 and 116117, involved replacing 12,000 numbers, and upgrading infrastructure across 19 locations. Three new network cores were built to future-proof operations. While PSAPs still use ISDN-based systems, preparations are underway for packet-switched solutions aligned with NG112, supported by SIP–ISDN gateways. This webinar will share how the transition was achieved, lessons learned, improvements made, and the next steps—without any operational disruptions.
Add the webinar to your calendar.
Why specialised blue light routing is crucial for dispatch
10 June at 14:30 CEST
For those who missed this presentation at the EENA 2025 Conference, we’re bringing it to you as a webinar! The webinar will explore how to reduce the arrival time of emergency services at the scene of an incident, focusing on the use of specialised routing for blue light services. By integrating multiple data sources and applying big data analysis in both tested and real scenarios, it is possible to optimise response times without requiring additional training or resources. The webinar will highlight how the industry’s collective focus on improving ambulance arrival times through better routing and information alone can significantly enhance emergency response efficiency. Join us to discover how data-driven solutions can make a critical difference in saving lives.
This webinar is sponsored by rescuetrack.
Add the webinar to your calendar.
Did you miss our latest webinar?
The recording of our latest webinar is now available! In the webinar, you can hear how ‘The Smile of the Child’ is using cutting-edge technology to protect children and vulnerable adults in times of crisis. From rapid alert systems to mobile command centres and secure communications, discover how the organisation ensures fast, coordinated emergency response, even when traditional infrastructure is down.
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.
Standardisation news
New standard enhances eCall system across Europe
A newly updated European standard, EN 16072:2025, strengthens the eCall system, an in-vehicle emergency call service that automatically contacts emergency services in the event of a serious road accident. Developed by CEN/TC 278, the standard ensures that eCall works seamlessly across borders, transmitting key data like location, vehicle type, and direction of travel to the nearest Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). The 2025 update improves data handling, guidance for emergency operators, and privacy protections, while ensuring compatibility with both older GSM and newer IP-based communication systems. With the potential to save up to 2,500 lives annually, eCall plays a crucial role in reducing emergency response times and enhancing road safety across Europe.
Emergency communications around the world
Portugal to urgently reform emergency communications system
Following failures during the recent widespread blackout, the Portuguese government announced urgent reforms to its emergency communications network, SIRESP. A working group will deliver a report within three months to redesign the system to be more robust, reliable, resilient, and interoperable. The review will be accompanied by audits ordered after the outage, with technical assessments and concrete recommendations. While President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa praised the overall response, he acknowledged weaknesses in communication, such as delays in Civil Protection alerts, and stressed the need for future improvements.
Read more here (Infobae, in Spanish).
Bulgaria advances upgrade of 112 emergency call system
Bulgarian MPs have approved amendments to the National Emergency Call System Act at the second reading, paving the way for major improvements to System 112, the national implementation of the EU-wide emergency number. The updated system will integrate emergency communications, information exchange, and resource management through a unified ICT infrastructure. It will feature modern hardware and software hosted in dedicated data centres, with new-generation communication centres connected via a high-speed broadband network. These centres will enable real-time video, data, voice, and text exchange, improve caller location accuracy, ensure equal access for people with disabilities, and route calls more effectively. Emergency calls to 112 will remain free of charge across Bulgaria. To prevent misuse, including from auto-diallers, the system will apply technical restrictions under guidance from the Interior Ministry.
Read more here (Bulgarian News Agency).
Solomon Islands launches a mobile cell broadcast alert system
The Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association (PITA) has unveiled a new cell broadcast early warning system for the Solomon Islands, enabling emergency alerts to reach all mobile phones in a targeted area—without needing internet, SIM cards, or phone credit. The system, demonstrated at PITA’s annual general meeting, is part of a regional initiative led by GSMA, PITA, and Australian provider Omnitouch, in collaboration with national agencies. Alerts will be managed by the National Disaster Centre and Meteorological Service and delivered via local operators Our Telekom and Mobile. A national test is planned in the coming months, with Cook Islands, Kiribati, and Samoa next in line to adopt the technology as regional momentum for robust early warning systems grows.
Bengaluru Police to launch AI-powered multilingual support on 112 helpline
In a bid to make emergency services more accessible, Bengaluru Police is introducing an AI-powered multilingual voice assistant to its 112 emergency helpline. The system will allow callers to seek help in a variety of Indian and foreign languages, helping overcome communication barriers for migrant workers, international tourists, and students. Initially, the assistant will support Indian languages like Bengali, Gujarati, Odia, Manipuri, Kashmiri, Nepali, and Assamese, as well as Spanish, French, and Arabic for international callers. The AI can also be trained to include more languages as needed. Beyond translation, the tool can adapt to different emergencies, direct information to relevant services, and use location tracking to pinpoint callers. The move follows concerns over language-related delays during crisis calls and is seen as a step toward inclusive, real-time emergency response in a linguistically diverse city.
Read more here (Vartha Bharati).
MedicAlert Canada to connect health records directly to 911
The MedicAlert Canada Foundation is launching new technology to link members’ electronic health records directly to 911 dispatchers, giving first responders instant access to vital medical information during emergencies. Tested in Ottawa in 2024, the system automatically matches incoming calls to MedicAlert’s database, displaying key medical data on dispatchers’ screens in real time. This helps responders prepare before arriving on scene, improving outcomes for conditions like diabetes or dementia. The initiative supports Canada’s next-generation 911 rollout, now expected by March 2027, and aims to reach up to 200 dispatch centres within 3–5 years. MedicAlert is also developing a GPS tracking product for people with Alzheimer’s, complementing its Safely Home registry of over 65,000 Canadians with dementia.
EENA was here
Security Mission Information & Innovation Group (SMI2G) 2025
6-7 May 2025, Paris, France
EENA took part in the Security Mission Information & Innovation Group (SMI2G) 2025 event in Paris, focusing on strengthening EU-funded civil security research through better networking and collaboration. The event consisted of two days of insightful panel discussions and pitches for innovative project proposals. The discussions highlighted the growing role of networking platforms for connectivity and the importance of involving practitioners, municipalities, and citizens in project development. The speakers underscored the value of leveraging national and thematic networks to support proposal design, share best practices, and build long-term resilience. With an emphasis on inclusive, transparent collaboration and the integration of local expertise, the event reflected the European Union’s commitment to a robust civil security and emergency response. In line with these priorities, EENA continues to focus on fostering innovation and sharing knowledge for the safety of citizens across Europe.
Irish Chief Fire Officers’ Association (CFOA) Conference
7-8 May 2025, Galway, Ireland
At the Irish Chief Fire Officers’ Association (CFOA) Conference last week, EENA called for greater resilience across emergency systems, including power and communications networks. The intervention came just months after Storm Éoywn left hundreds of thousands in Ireland without power and disrupted emergency communications, and days after outages in Spain and Portugal blocked access to 112. Solutions discussed during the conference included improved independent power generation in cell towers so that they can remain online after a wider power failure, redundancy, and the use of satellite communications to act as a fallback network following power outages. EENA welcomed indications that the CFOA would support proposals to strengthen critical infrastructure as part of the Irish government’s upcoming review.
European Parliament hearing
13 May 2025, Brussels, Belgium
EENA attended a European Parliament hearing organised by the Intergroup on Resilience, Disaster Management and Civil Protection, chaired by MEP Pascal Arimont (EPP, Belgium). The discussion focused on the impact of the Working Time Directive on volunteer firefighters, particularly in cross-border regions. The speakers concluded that a new category of volunteer firefighters may need to be created as an exception to this Directive. Speakers also called for a new Directive on Civic Engagement at a European level, which the European Commission promised to consider. In the area of cross-border emergency communications, speakers emphasised the need for administrative barriers to cooperation, such as cost sharing, to be overcome in addition to technical barriers. Successful cross-border cooperation requires agreements between the bordering states but also regular cooperation, exchanges of best practices and joint trainings, which EU funding should support.