EENA’s newsletter brings you the latest updates in emergency communications.
In this edition, you can read about emergency call disruptions in Spain, initiatives for wildfire preparedness, our upcoming event, and much more!
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EENA News
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!
10 years of eCall in the EU: Milestones, lessons, and the road ahead
On 19 May 2015, the EU made history by adopting legislation to make eCall mandatory in new vehicles, with the objective of saving lives by reducing response times. A decade later, eCall has contributed significantly to improving emergency response times and enhancing public safety across the EU. However, the system has also faced operational challenges, most notably a high rate of false calls, issues with call-backs, and uncertainties surrounding the 2G/3G network shutdown. Looking ahead, Next Generation eCall (NGeCall), based on 4G/5G networks, promises to improve the reliability and data capabilities of emergency alerts. Yet, this transition must be carefully managed to avoid repeating past implementation shortcomings.
In our latest blog post, we reflect on the history of eCall, the lessons learned, and future challenges to ensure eCall continues to evolve to meet the needs of citizens and emergency responders.
Webinars
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?
You can now watch the recording of our latest webinar to discover how Norway’s Health Services Operational Organization for Emergency Network (HDO) transitioned from ISDN to modern packet-switched networks for PSAPs and emergency rooms, without disrupting the call services. The shift, prompted by the national ISDN shutdown, involved replacing 12,000 numbers and upgrading infrastructure across 19 sites. In this webinar, you’ll hear how the transition was managed in under a year, what was learned along the way, and how the system is now preparing for NG112-compliant control rooms.
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
Telefónica outage disrupts 112 emergency services across Spain
A major outage at telecom provider Telefónica on Tuesday, 20 May, disrupted emergency communications across several regions in Spain. Routine network maintenance triggered technical issues that caused 112 emergency numbers to go down in parts of the Basque Country, Aragón, and Valencia. Authorities were forced to issue alternative phone numbers via social media to ensure public access to emergency services. The outage also affected businesses nationwide, leaving many without internet or functioning systems. Telefónica confirmed the issue stemmed from a failed network update and said emergency lines were progressively being restored throughout the day.
EU organises firefighting teams and fleet of aircraft to support wildfire-hit countries
To prepare for heightened wildfire risks this summer, the European Commission has coordinated the deployment of firefighters and aircraft across Europe. Almost 650 firefighters from 14 countries will be stationed in France, Greece, Portugal, and Spain in July and August to support local teams. In parallel, 22 firefighting planes and four helicopters will be pre-positioned in 10 Member States. Co-financed through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, these efforts aim to boost crisis response and save lives. A dedicated team at the EU Emergency Response Coordination Centre will monitor risks and support coordination throughout the wildfire season.
Read more here (European Commission).
California launches AI chatbot to support wildfire preparedness
California has introduced Ask CAL FIRE, a new AI-powered chatbot that provides wildfire resources and emergency information in 70 languages. The tool aims to help residents stay informed ahead of the state’s peak wildfire season. Available on the CAL FIRE website, the chatbot delivers real-time updates, fire prevention tips, and answers to frequently asked questions. It also functions as a feedback tool, helping CAL FIRE identify information gaps based on user queries. This launch builds on CAL FIRE’s broader innovation efforts, which include an AI system that monitors over 1,000 wildfire detection cameras and the expansion of its aerial firefighting fleet, now featuring night-capable Fire Hawk helicopters. Officials say the chatbot will improve access to vital information and enhance overall community preparedness.
The Council of the European Union calls for better use of space data to enhance crisis management
EU ministers have endorsed new conclusions on the use of satellite data, particularly from Earth observation systems, for civil protection and crisis management. The conclusions highlight the importance of space data in anticipating threats, improving resilience, and supporting decision-making during crises. They call for better integration of public, private, and commercial data sources, stronger cybersecurity measures, and the use of artificial intelligence to process large data volumes. Improved interoperability, real-time access, and harmonised standards are also recommended. The Council emphasises the role of collaboration between governments, industry, and academia in enhancing Europe’s technological leadership and crisis response capabilities.
Read more here (The Council of the European Union).
Women’s helpline struggles amid delayed integration with 112 in Maharashtra, India
Nearly two years after it was announced, Maharashtra’s integration of women’s helpline 181 with police emergency number 112 remains incomplete, leaving critical gaps in support for women in distress. The state-run 181 call centre in Pune is currently operating with just five systems and 15 staff, handling up to 4,000 calls daily. Delays in central government approval for more resources have further hampered response times, with operators forced to manually coordinate with police. Many victims report unanswered calls and inadequate support in urgent cases. Authorities say integration may begin next month, with a centralised unit planned to unify women’s and child distress services for faster intervention.
Read more here (The Times of India).
US emergency services least busy at 4 AM on Thursdays, study finds
An analysis of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) data from 2021 to 2023 has identified Thursday at 4 AM as the least busy time for emergency calls in the United States, making it the easiest moment to access help. Conducted by Florida-based law firm Anidjar & Levine, the study found call volumes were lowest during early weekday mornings, with Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 4 AM also ranking among the quietest times. By contrast, the busiest periods for emergency services were around 3 PM and 4 PM, especially on Wednesdays and Fridays, highlighting afternoon peaks in demand. In terms of road safety, Saturday topped the list for car-related EMS calls, while Tuesdays saw the fewest. Notably, 6 PM was flagged as the riskiest hour for drivers, coinciding with evening congestion and fatigue. Experts urge increased awareness of these patterns to enhance road safety and emergency preparedness.
EENA was here
CERIS Disaster Resilience Days
19-21 May 2025, Brussels, Belgium
EENA attended the CERIS Disaster Resilience Days conference in Brussels last week, where EU experts and decision-makers discussed advancing disaster preparedness. Key themes included turning research into operational tools, investing in climate-resilient systems, and building trust in technologies like AI. The event also stressed the importance of public engagement, co-creation with communities, and integrating innovation into existing frameworks for long-term impact.