EENA’s newsletter brings you the latest updates in emergency communications.
In this edition, you can read about issues and disruptions in emergency calls in Australia, Poland, and the UK, an earthquake-alert pilot in El Salvador, problems with public warning in Sweden, 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.
New blog post: From manual routines to life-saving automation: Transforming emergency dispatch with technology
Sweden’s SOS Alarm have taken the step to replace manual, repetitive tasks in the emergency dispatch process with automation that saves lives.
By introducing automated dispatching, they’ve cut the time between a 112 call and ambulance dispatch from up to 30 seconds to under two. Our latest blog post explores how SOS Alarm brought this idea to life: from early pilots and training to nationwide rollout, and how automation now even alerts volunteer responders who can reach patients before ambulances arrive.
Webinars
Handling emergency communications in other languages: advantages and challenges in using a third-party service provider
25 November at 14:30 CET
In this webinar, the 112 Response Center of the Autonomous Province of Trento (Italy) will share its experience in managing multilingual emergency calls through the use of a third-party translation service. The presentation will explore the benefits of this approach—such as improved communication with foreign callers and increased inclusivity—as well as the operational and technical challenges encountered, including issues related to reliability, confidentiality, and quality monitoring.
Add the webinar to your calendar.
Did you miss our latest webinar? You can now watch the recording of our webinar on satellite emergency communications! This webinar explores how new Direct-to-Device (D2D) technology allows smartphones to connect directly to satellites to receive alerts and public warnings, even in areas without mobile coverage. Already in use in several countries and expected to expand across the EU, D2D is set to become a key tool for emergency communications. We take a look at how the technology works, its potential to improve access to 112, and the steps needed to strengthen the resilience and availability of Europe’s emergency services.
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.
Emergency communications around the world
Database failure disrupts 112 access in southern Poland
A database malfunction on 14 October temporarily disrupted Poland’s 112 emergency number across several southern regions, including Świętokrzyskie, Lower Silesia, and Opole. Reported shortly after 8:00 AM, the failure blocked connections to emergency operators and disabled access to digital maps used to track ambulances, delaying dispatch operations. The Interior Ministry confirmed the issue originated from a database fault and was quickly resolved. While some mobile networks experienced difficulty connecting to 112, the medical emergency line 999 remained operational. Authorities said service has now been fully restored and an investigation into the cause is underway.
Power outage disrupts emergency dispatch system in Victoria, Australia
In Victoria, Australia, a power outage on 14 October at 12:30 AM knocked out the state’s computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system, forcing emergency call operators to revert to pen and paper for several hours. Although calls to emergency service continued, the backup system also failed and the CAD wasn’t fully restored until around 4 AM. The outage impacted the main Burwood call centre and affected others in Williams Landing and Ballarat. Dispatchers lost access to key systems that track available ambulances, fire and police units, raising concerns about response delays. State officials say no calls were missed but will investigate the incident further.
Sweden opens probe into Telia for public warning failure
The Swedish telecoms regulator Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) has launched an investigation into Telia Company following the company’s failure to transmit a public information message in Gothenburg on 23 September. Telecom operators are legally required to distribute critical text alerts (VMAs) by SMS to the public, and Telia must respond to PTS by 14 November. The incident has raised questions about the reliability of public warning channels in Sweden.
Read more here (Telecompaper).
Australian telecommunications operator Telstra identifies Samsung phones unable to call the emergency number
Telstra has discovered that more than 70 Samsung mobile phone models may be unable to reach Australia’s emergency number under certain conditions. The issue affects 11 older Galaxy models that must be replaced and around 60 that require software updates. Impacted customers will be notified by SMS or email, and devices that remain unpatched or unreplaced after 28 days will be blocked from the network, in line with government regulations. Testing found the affected phones failed to connect when switching to Vodafone’s network if Telstra or Optus coverage was unavailable. Around 20,000 devices are affected, some of which will be replaced free of charge. The discovery follows recent Optus outages linked to multiple deaths, intensifying scrutiny over the reliability of Australia’s emergency call system.
Emergency call handling under review after student’s death in the UK
A 20-year-old first-year student at Manchester Metropolitan University died in his student accommodation just hours after contacting emergency services with stomach pains. According to family accounts, the switchboard instructed them to take paracetamol rather than dispatch an ambulance. The incident has placed renewed focus on how emergency calls are evaluated and prioritised by emergency services. North West Ambulance Service confirmed it is investigating the matter and has invited the family to engage with its patient resolutions team.
Switzerland launches consultation on modernising public alert systems
The Swiss Federal Council has opened a consultation on plans to modernise how the population is informed and warned during emergencies. The proposal introduces a new multi-channel alerting strategy that prioritises digital communication while maintaining proven backup systems. Key elements include the rollout of cell broadcast alerts to reach all mobile phones in affected areas, the transfer of responsibility for siren networks from the federal government to the cantons, and the gradual dismantling of outdated VHF emergency radio stations. The initiative aims to strengthen responsiveness and efficiency during crises, with an estimated total investment of CHF 410.9 million by 2035. The consultation period will run until 2 February 2026.
Read more here (Swiss Government).
Earthquake-alert pilot launched in El Salvador
A pilot project has been launched in El Salvador to test a cloud-based earthquake early-warning distribution system using cell-broadcast technology. The system is designed to deliver instant alerts to mobile phones via multiple carrier networks. El Salvador’s location in a highly seismic region makes the initiative potentially lifesaving. The trial — supported by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications — runs through March 2026 and aims to gauge how the technology can be scaled across Latin America and other earthquake-prone regions.
Read more here (Telecompaper).
Upcoming in our network
Call for content for the CCW 2026 conference programme
The call for content is now open under the theme “Uniting the Sector – Working Together to Enhance the Ecosystem.” You’re invited to submit your ideas by Monday, 10 November 2026 and contribute to shaping the programme. The conference takes place in Excel, London, on 16-18 June 2026.
Learn more here.
EENA was here
AWARE Demonstration
22-24 October 2025 in Logarska Dolina, Slovenia
On Thursday 23rd October, EENA took part in the first live demonstration of the AWARE project. Taking place in Logarska Dolina, Slovenia, the demonstration brought together project partners, civil protection authorities and stakeholders who took part in the exercise and accompanying networking sessions. The demonstration showcased the AWARE module integrated into a long-range acoustic device (LRAD/ACOUSTICS) provided by project partner GENASYS. Inspired by Slovenia’s devastating 2023 floods – the country’s worst natural disaster in decades – the demonstration scenario simulated an impending natural hazard. The AWARE module received genuine Galileo EWSS alerts broadcast by satellites and transmitted them to the equipped device. The siren then delivered a crystal-clear audio warning message in Slovenian and English to alert the nearby population about the imminent danger and provide instructions for protection.
AWARE is the first project to integrate Galileo EWSS to fixed devices, facilitating a multi-channel approach to public warning systems that can reach citizens when every second counts.
HARMONY Project Kick-Off
21-22 October 2025 in Athens, Greece
EENA, a member of the consortium for the EU-funded project HARMONY, participated in the physical Kick-Off Meeting in Athens last week. HARMONY is a research project that aims to build stronger, more resilient communities by combining social collaboration, advanced technologies and scalable impact strategies to develop harmonised response protocols. Its core vision is to create a unified framework that transcends the current siloed approaches, enabling an integrated and coordinated assessment of impacts, risks, and interactions of climate-related and geological hazards across sectors and borders.
CAP Implementation Workshop
22 October 2025 in Rome, Italy
EENA participated in the CAP Implementation Workshop on 22-23 October in Rome. The event aimed at highlighting the importance of using the Common Alerting Protocol to disseminate public warning alerts and gathering a community of users from around the World. EENA presented an overview of public warning practices in Europe.