EENA’s newsletter brings you the latest updates in emergency communications.
In this edition, you can read about the recent power outages affecting emergency services, a new study on the role of 112 in disaster resilience, Latvia’s cell broadcast plans, our upcoming webinars and much more!
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EENA News
EENA 2025 Conference materials are now available
We are pleased to announce that the materials from EENA 2025 are now available on the event website.
Participants can now revisit the sessions, catch up on any content they may have missed, and explore the key insights shared during our time together in Helsinki. We extend our sincere thanks to all speakers, sponsors, partners, and attendees whose engagement made this edition a success. Your contributions continue to make the EENA Conference a vital platform for advancing public safety across Europe.
We hope to see you again, either in Riga on 15–17 April 2026, or maybe even earlier at our EU law event on 3-4 December in Brussels (more info coming soon!).
Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen prioritises public safety in her address on the Digital Networks Act
At the 2025 EENA Conference, European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen outlined the vision for emergency communications under the upcoming Digital Networks Act (DNA), which will replace the European Electronic Communications Code. She emphasised that public safety and resilience will be central to the DNA, highlighting priorities such as the shift to packet-switched technologies, the transition from legacy eCall systems, and the use of innovations like Direct to Device satellite connectivity—including through the AWARE project—to improve 112 access. She also confirmed that the EU Critical Communications System (EUCCS) will be available from 2030. Virkkunen reaffirmed that citizen safety is non-negotiable, and EENA will continue engaging with the Commission to ensure emergency communications remain a priority.
Open letter on improving access to emergency communications
On 23 April, EENA, the European Disability Forum, the European Blind Union, the Cyprus Confederation of Organisations of the Disabled, the Polish Disability Forum, and the Malta Federation of Organisations for People with Disabilities published an open letter calling for increased accessibility in emergency communications. For people with disabilities, providing critical information—especially location— when calling 112 can be difficult. Advanced caller location (AML) helps address this by automatically sending the caller’s location to emergency services, reducing response times and saving lives. Although AML is mandated under the European Electronic Communications Code, Poland, Cyprus, and Malta have yet to implement it. Additionally, eleven Member States have not extended caller location to all emergency numbers or accessible alternatives to 112. We call for full compliance with EU law, ensuring AML is available to everyone, across all emergency communication channels, and that disability inclusion is embedded in emergency response protocols.
EENA publishes a new document on the rising demand for emergency services
EENA has published a new document highlighting the growing pressures on emergency call centres across Europe. Rising call volumes, higher public expectations, and staffing shortages, worsened by the post-pandemic “Great Resignation”, are straining operations. Technologies like eCall and smartphone emergency features have increased both genuine and false calls. To address these challenges, many agencies are adopting cloud-based systems and AI tools to support triage, translation, and decision-making. Video call pilots have improved response times and user satisfaction, though careful implementation is needed to address data protection and staff training. The report also stresses the importance of staff wellbeing, process improvements, and policy reform. It concludes that a balanced approach combining innovation with human-centred strategies is key to strengthening emergency communications.
Webinars
Best practices in using technology to protect vulnerable populations in crisis and danger
6 May 2025 at 13:00 CEST
In this webinar, discover how The Smile of the Child, a leading Greek organisation protecting children and vulnerable groups, has strengthened its nationwide services through innovative technologies. Working with state authorities, the organisation supports emergency response during natural disasters, crises, and search and rescue operations. Key solutions include the European Missing Alert Automated System (Amber Alert Hellas & Missing Alert Hellas), a state-of-the-art Mobile Command Center for real-time coordination, and a National Digital Autonomous Communication Network with secure voice, data, and GPS tracking. Learn how these tools enable effective, independent response, even when conventional infrastructure fails.
Add the webinar to your calendar.
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.
Emergency communications around the world
Power outages disrupt emergency services across Spain, France, Portugal and Andorra
On Monday, 28 April, widespread power outages across Spain, France, and Portugal caused significant disruption, including to emergency services. In several Spanish regions, 112 emergency call centres experienced a sharp increase in call volume, with thousands of incidents handled in a matter of hours. Some regions, such as Extremadura, reported communication difficulties and advised residents to go directly to care centres or hospitals if unable to reach emergency services.
While no serious incidents were reported, emergency coordination plans were activated, and fire services carried out hundreds of interventions. By the following day, emergency systems had largely returned to normal operations.
Read more here (Europa Press, in Spanish).
Read more here (Madrid Press, in Spanish).
New study highlights the critical role of 112 in boosting disaster resilience across Europe
A new study published in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction highlights the growing role of 112 in crisis response. Analysing the 2018 Vaia storm, the study found that while social media can support situational awareness, calls to the European emergency number 112 provided more reliable, structured, and inclusive data for emergency management. Unlike social media posts, 112 calls are verified, follow standardised procedures, and include precise location data, making them a valuable source of real-time, crowd-sourced information. As Europe faces rising climate and geopolitical risks, and misinformation online continues to grow, this research underlines the potential of 112 to serve not only as a lifeline, but as a trusted sensor in disaster response.
Moldova and Romania strengthen cooperation on 112 emergency services
The 112 emergency services of Moldova and Romania have launched a bilateral collaboration to improve institutional cooperation and share expertise in managing emergencies. The initiative was announced following a joint meeting between the leadership of both services. The partnership aims to enhance the operational capabilities of the 112 systems in both countries and improve the quality of emergency response. The exchange of experience is seen as essential for developing efficient, citizen-focused services. Officials expressed confidence that the agreement will be formalised soon, marking a key step toward stronger cross-border cooperation in public safety.
Latvia prepares to launch cell broadcast emergency alert system
Latvia’s new cell broadcast emergency alert system is expected to become operational by September 2025, following initial tests in March. While technical handover is planned for April, full rollout depends on ongoing coordination with Apple and Google to ensure smartphone compatibility. The system will use existing mobile networks to send alerts to all phones in a given area, including those of tourists and temporary residents. Unlike SMS, alerts will appear in a distinct format with a unique sound and cannot be altered or forwarded. The project, co-funded by the EU and the Latvian state, also includes cybersecurity upgrades and improvements to the 112 mobile app, which will offer shelter information and navigation. A public awareness campaign will accompany the launch.
Read more here (Baltic News Network).
Violence against UK ambulance workers reaches record high
Violence and abuse directed at ambulance staff in the UK has reached its highest level on record, with 22,536 incidents reported in 2024–25, which is a 15% increase from the previous year. This equates to an average of 433 assaults per week, including physical attacks, sexual assaults, and verbal abuse. Health leaders have described the trend as “truly shocking”, warning that many cases likely go unreported. Female staff members are the most frequently targeted. Both frontline responders and call handlers are affected, with serious impacts on their wellbeing. Ambulance leaders are urging UK health ministers to introduce new deterrents and calling on the judiciary to ensure consistent sentencing for perpetrators. Trade unions and NHS bodies stress that rising pressures on emergency care are fuelling a “toxic environment” for staff. Governments across the UK have condemned the violence, reaffirming that such behaviour is unacceptable.
Read more here (The Guardian).
Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025 is pre-published
The European Commission has pre-published draft versions of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025 and updates to the 2023–2025 programme, ahead of formal adoption expected in May 2025.
One key area, Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society, focuses on evolving threats such as terrorism, cyberattacks, organised crime, and climate-related disasters. The programme supports EU strategies on internal security, border management, and disaster resilience, while promoting innovation, rights protection, and the uptake of research results. A call on cybersecurity is also planned under the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre.
EENA is currently exploring opportunities and looking for partners for relevant calls under Cluster 3. Interested organisations are welcome to get in touch with Alexis Gizikis at [email protected].
Read more here (European Commission).