EENA’s newsletter brings you the latest updates in emergency communications.
In this edition, you can read about RTT implementation in Ireland, the FCC planning emergency alert system modernisation, Lithuania’s trouble with emergency alerts in foreign languages, and much more!
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EENA News
Registration now open: Future EU Legislation on Emergency Communications
Join us in Brussels on 3–4 December 2025 for our seminar on Future EU Legislation on Emergency Communications.
With the Digital Networks Act (DNA) on the horizon, this two-day event will explore what the new legislation means for emergency communications in Europe. We will review the current European Electronic Communications Code (EECC), debate the main issues that will shape DNA negotiations, and look at the future of caller location, access to 112, and the transition to NG112.
This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from decision-makers and experts, while connecting with colleagues across Europe who share the same mission: ensuring reliable and equal access to emergency communications for all citizens.
Call for abstracts is open for the EENA 2026 Conference!
The EENA 2026 Conference & Exhibition will take place in Riga, Latvia, from 15–17 April 2026. We are inviting abstracts for presentations to help shape the programme.
This is your opportunity to contribute your expertise, showcase innovative projects, and be part of the global conversation on emergency response. To be considered as a speaker, you must submit an abstract of your proposed presentation. The deadline to propose your abstracts is Friday, 17 October 2025.
Learn more & submit your proposal here
New EENA blog post: Mental wellbeing for emergency services staff
Emergency responders and call-takers operate in high-pressure and challenging environments, where stress and compassion fatigue can become part of the role. In our latest blog post, Jules Lockett from the London Ambulance Service shares insights on what actions the NHS in the UK has taken to reduce the mental burden of emergency services staff. From practical tools and initiatives to fostering a culture of psychological safety, the post presents strategies to support the mental wellbeing of staff who work in these demanding environments.
New EENA document: Real-Time Text in Ireland
Ireland’s Real-Time Text (RTT) pilot marks a major step toward inclusive emergency communication ahead of the 2025 European Accessibility Act deadline. In our latest document, EENA’s Tech & Ops Committee Vice-Chair, Ciaran Moynihan, presents how Ireland adopted device-native RTT through collaboration between the government, regulators, and mobile network operators, led by Vodafone’s early implementation of Emergency Calling over IMS. Despite technical challenges, extensive testing proved RTT could be integrated without compromising emergency call standards. Progressively rolled out in 2025, Ireland’s RTT pilot demonstrates how standards-based and user-focused innovation can make critical communication accessible to all.
Implementing Real-Time Text or Total Conversation?
We are aware that many of you are currently working on or considering the deployment of Real-Time Text (RTT) or Total Conversation. EENA was previously involved in the REACH112 project (2009–2012), which tested the implementation of RTT and Total Conversation for emergency communications to 112. We would be happy to share the project’s deliverables with anyone interested in reviewing the results and insights from that initiative. While the materials date back to 2012, several findings may still be relevant for ongoing RTT and Total Conversation deployments across Europe. To receive a link to the documents, please contact Annita Elissaiou at [email protected].
Webinars
Emergency satellite communications
21 October at 14:30 CET
Smartphones can now connect directly with satellites to receive emergency alerts and transmit public warnings in areas without terrestrial mobile coverage. This innovation, known as Direct-to-Device (D2D) communication, has been implemented in several countries and is expected to become available across the EU in the coming years. As one of the major applications of D2D is emergency communications, this webinar will examine how the technology works, its potential to strengthen access to 112, and the steps needed to ensure it improves the resilience and availability of 112.
Add the webinar to your calendar.
Did you miss the latest webinar? You can now watch the recording of our webinar on Emergency communications challenges and opportunities in the Digital Networks Act. The webinar explored unresolved issues with LTE and IMS and discussed how the EU’s Digital Networks Act can provide the framework to address these risks.
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.
Projects
SUNSHINE Project: Leveraging EU Space data and services for disaster resilience
30 October at 14:30 CET
Join us for the first SUNSHINE webinar to discover how the project is supporting EU civil protection stakeholders in leveraging EU Space Programme data and services to address today’s challenges. The webinar will introduce the project scope, present the SUNSHINE Training Seminars, and share the calendar of future training opportunities.
Take part in the second AWARE demonstration in Plaisir, France
Registrations are open for the second demonstration of the AWARE project! Join us on Tuesday the 4th of November at the JCDecaux premises in Plaisir, France, to see the AWARE module in action. AWARE is an EU-funded initiative developing receivers that process Galileo Emergency Warning Satellite Service (EWSS) alerts and integrate them into fixed public warning systems.
As a thunderstorm strikes the city and triggers a hazardous truck accident, the AWARE module will receive Galileo EWSS alerts and instantly transmit them on digital urban furniture provided by project partner JCDecaux to warn people in the danger zone. The demonstration will showcase how the AWARE module, equipped on fixed devices, can deliver fast and reliable warning messages directly in the streets, adding another layer of protection for the citizens.
Emergency communications around the world
FCC explores modernisation of the US Emergency Alert System
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has initiated a comprehensive review of the United States’ national alert and warning systems — the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). The goal is to determine whether fundamental structural changes are needed to make these systems more effective, efficient, and technologically up to date. The inquiry will seek input on system objectives, which agencies should be authorised to issue alerts, and what transmission capabilities are required to ensure resilience, precise geotargeting, and security. It will also assess whether EAS and WEA are meeting the expectations of both the public and alerting authorities and explore improvements in how emergency information is conveyed.
Lithuania reviews multilingual emergency alert practices
A recent incident in Lithuania has highlighted challenges in ensuring that emergency alerts are accessible to non-Lithuanian speakers. A foreign resident reported receiving a fire warning only in Lithuanian, leaving him unable to understand the message. Authorities explained that while the system supports Lithuanian, English and Russian, the first alert is sometimes issued only in Lithuanian when speed is critical. Officials acknowledged the need for improvement and said efforts are under way to make multilingual alerts more consistent, with support from the National Crisis Management Centre. Tourists and residents using foreign SIM cards can also receive alerts if the cell broadcast function is enabled on their phones.
Uttar Pradesh, India, launches night escort service to improve women’s safety
In Lucknow, India, Uttar Pradesh Police have launched a night escort service to enhance safety for women travelling alone between 10 PM and 6 AM. The initiative dispatches a Police Response Vehicle (PRV) that escorts registered women home upon request. So far, 133 PRVs have been deployed across identified hotspot areas. The service will be monitored via the Safe City Centre, and its tracking system will log the last movements. On average, the emergency response system in Uttar Pradesh receives about 1,300 calls daily, with around 250 related to women’s safety; since January, 46 escort services have already been provided.
Read more here (Times of India).
Study highlights emergency care gaps in rural America
A new analysis by the American College of Surgeons reveals that emergency medical response times in rural areas are significantly longer than the national average, with rural patients more likely to face severe medical emergencies. The study, based on over 69 million EMS calls from 2023 to 2025, found that rural emergency calls lasted an average of 92.8 minutes compared to 74.1 minutes nationwide. For high-acuity cases, the gap widened to 97.1 minutes versus 69 minutes. Researchers also found that nearly 40% of rural calls involved life-threatening conditions, and patients were often transported to lower-level trauma centres due to limited local resources. The study underscores the crucial role of rural hospitals and calls for improved EMS resource allocation and sustained support for critical access facilities.
EU study shows rising support for crisis protection efforts
A new EU-wide survey shows growing support for stronger EU action to protect citizens in times of crisis. 68% believe the EU should play a bigger role in safeguarding people from global risks, while 91% want the next EU budget to be flexible enough to respond to disasters, conflicts or pandemics.
Despite the political focus on competitiveness, citizens are clear: safety comes first. Strengthening emergency communications through the upcoming Digital Networks Act and the Union Civil Protection Mechanism will be key steps towards delivering the safer Union that Europeans are calling for.
Idaho Falls launches “AI Annie” to assist emergency communications
The Bonneville County, US, and Idaho Falls Emergency Communications Center has introduced “AI Annie”, an artificial intelligence system designed to handle non-emergency calls and support dispatchers. Developed using Aurelian’s AI-powered voice assistant, the system aims to reduce the workload on emergency communication officers by managing routine calls and directing them to the right departments. AI Annie answers calls to the county’s non-emergency number, allowing dispatchers to focus on urgent 911 calls. It can transfer calls, send links for online reporting, and communicate in Spanish. Since its launch, AI Annie has handled 62% of non-emergency calls independently, achieving a 94% success rate. The city emphasised that the AI is not replacing human dispatchers but complementing their work to improve efficiency and reduce response times. All calls are logged and reviewed to ensure accuracy and data privacy.
Read more here (East Idaho News).
EENA was here
European Accessibility Summit 2025
14 October 2025 in Brussels, Belgium
EENA took part in the European Accessibility Summit, organised by the European Disability Forum. The event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and disability advocates to explore the latest developments in accessibility across Europe. The event also marked the entry into force of the European Accessibility Act, a significant step forward in strengthening accessibility rights and implementation within the European Union.
Disaster Resilience Days
6-8 October 2025 in Athens, Greece
EENA took part in the Disaster Resilience Days, organised under the Community for European Research and Innovation for Security (CERIS). The event brought together experts, policymakers, first responders, and innovators to advance disaster preparedness and resilience through research, technology, and cooperation. The event featured discussions, demonstrations, and exhibitions highlighting innovation in crisis response, community engagement, and international collaboration.