Each year on 11 February, Europe is proud to come together to celebrate European 112 Day. Established in 2009, and dedicated to raising awareness of the European emergency number 112, it is a day to recognise the work of all those who contribute to the European emergency services chain.
Member States all over Europe organise communication activities and other events to promote the European Emergency number 112 to their citizens and help spread the message of 112.
On this day, we celebrate together, and EENA is excited to be sharing the various actions taking place in different countries.
How are countries celebrating independence in 2025?
Bulgaria
The National 112 System in Bulgaria has planned the following actions:
Opening speech by the Director of the National 112 System.
Congratulatory address by the Minister / Deputy Minister of the Interior.
Presentation – Overview of the work of the National 112 System for the year 2024. Unauthorised calls. Transboundary calls. The coordination with EMS by air.
Presentation by a representative of the Air Ambulance Centre – MoH
Recognition ceremony for the employees of the National 112 System by the Minister of the Interior and the Administrative Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior.
Congratulations from the folk group “Drums and Bagpipes”.
Guests of the ceremony: representatives of the Ministry of Interior, Emergency Services, pensioners and media.
Finland
In Finland, the Emergency Response Agency is planning the following actions:
- 112 Finland has expanded the activities around the 112 Day emergency number week. During the emergency number week, the 112 theme can be highlighted by organising a theme day in a community, hosting a public event together with other stakeholders, or sharing 112-related information on social media.
- This year, 112 Finland has created specific 112 instructions not only for the general public but also for children and young people, the elderly, and non-Finnish speakers. Each target group has different ways of acting and specific challenges when making an emergency call.
- 112 Finland has contacted various organisations that work with these target groups (e.g. schools, kindergartens, senior associations, reception centres, tourist attractions, etc.) and has distributed the instructions with their help. Extensive media cooperation has also been carried out.
- As part of the campaign, anyone can organise a public event. Events have been listed on the 112 Finland website.
Germany
To raise awareness about the European emergency number and recognise the work of emergency services, the PSAP in Mannheim is organising several activities on 112 Day:
Public awareness campaign: Social media posts will highlight key information about emergency calls, including how to dial 112 correctly and the history of the emergency number. Special recognition will be given to the contributions of Björn Steiger.
Live updates on emergency operations: Throughout the day, real-time insights will be shared on various emergency incidents, including incoming calls, fire and rescue operations, CPR telephone instructions, and major incidents.
Collaboration with emergency organisations: A visual campaign will feature representatives from local emergency services holding signs promoting the European emergency number. This includes organisations such as the German Red Cross, Malteser Hilfsdienst, police, fire brigade, and others.
Community engagement: Stories from emergency service professionals and partner organisations in Mannheim will be shared and reposted to highlight their work and contributions.
Moldova
Moldova 112 Service is joining celebration of the European 112 day by organizing the following activities:
- Award ceremony for various categories of employees and partners such as: best call taker, best administrator, best partner, and others, as a sign of high appreciation for involvement and outstanding results within the 112 Service of Moldova.
- Several tv, radio and online media reports, dedicated to the 112 emergency number.
- Open Doors Day at the 112 Service: they will organize visits to 112 Service for children. The objective is to inform up to 400 children on activity of 112 emergency number, this activity will take place in period 11 – 28 February.
- Promoting the video material regarding the work of 112 call takers / activity of 112 Service.
- Implement the new interface for emergency call data sheet.
Poland
There are 17 PSAPs in Poland, managed by approximately 1200 qualified responders of 112 emergency number.
Following the example from previous years, during the European Emergency Number’s day every PSAP organizes it’s local ceremonies with festive cakes and presence of voivodship authorities and emergency services officials. There are also thematic competitions conducted for children, educational lectures at schools and presentations of statistics data – all related to the matter. Every year the 112 Day is the subject in all kinds of media, so it’s great opportunity to raise awareness for the significance of thee number and chance to educate public about its appropriate usage. Interviews conducted with operators, during PSAPs’ opened days, familiarize people with the job characteristics. Its became also the annual tradition that the Minister of the Interior and Administration honors the PSAPs’ most committed and devoted employees with awards and inscripted plaques. This year central celebration will be held in Olsztyn.
Photos and reports of all related happenings will be available on governmental website 112.gov.pl, twitted on @MSWiA_gov_pl and posted on individual PSAP’s social media accounts.
Croatia
Planned activities in 2025 include:
- The 14th annual jogging event of citizens and emergency services members, on a 5km track along the Sava River in Slavonski Brod. It will begin on 8. February at 11:02am, in front of the Vijuš Sports Hall in Slavonski Brod
- Organization of round tables, workshops and panel discussions on the topic of 112 number development
- Lectures and full-day education for students in high schools and faculties
- Visits of young children to 112 PSAPs
- Organization of a debate among students of the “Matija Mesić” high school in Slavonski Brod on the topic 112
- The organization of a communication and demonstration exercise in Zadar in cooperation with The Croatian Mountain Rescue Service and the Red Cross
- The promotion of the 112 number through a web brochure on portals and social networks, the distribution of leaflets in kindergartens, schools and other institutions, posters on public bulletin boards and advertising in public spaces
- The 20th anniversary of the 112 number in Croatia will be the theme of this year’s central ceremony of the International Civil Protection Day and the Civil Protection Day in the Republic of Croatia, which will be held on February 28, 2025 in Zagreb. On that occasion, certificates of appreciation will be presented to operators in the 112 County Centers
Georgia
Recognition of Outstanding Employees:
112 call-takers and other exceptional employees who have demonstrated professionalism, responsibility, and unwavering dedication will be awarded special certificates and symbolic gifts.
These awards represent our respect and gratitude for their tireless efforts, which ensure the safety and well-being of our citizens every day.
Dissemination of Information on Social Media and the Website:
A banner featuring the 2024 call statistics will be published on the official 112 Facebook page, highlighting the scale and significance of the organization’s operations.
Photos of the award ceremony will be shared on social media and the official website.
These activities aim to encourage employees, express appreciation for their dedication, and inform the public about the vital role and achievements of 112 in emergency management.
Lithuania
Actions
The Emergency Response Centre in Lithuania plan to:
- Publish a press release and present in media, such as television and radio interviews.
- Produce a special report for the national broadcaster’s children’s program ČIA DABAR?!, which will be aired on television on 9 February.
- Share content on their social media channels and organise a contest with a price for their followers.
- Publish an article featuring an interview with the call-taker who answered the most emergency calls in 2024.
- Present letters of appreciation to the employees of the Environmental Protection Department, one of their partner institutions.
- Each division has scheduled internal events for employees, including bowling games, a “Wheel of Fortune” spin, and similar activities. Snacks and refreshments will also be provided for on-duty shifts.
Norway
Actions
The Norwegian Communications Authority plans on running coordinated tests on 112 Day.
Romania
On the anniversary of the European 112 Day and of 21 years of single emergency number operationalization in Romania, the Special Telecommunications Service (STS) initiates a communication campaign that aims to promote the activities conducted from the position of technical and operational administrator of the Single National Emergency Call System and to raise awareness regarding the responsible call of the 112 Emergency service. Through various actions, the campaign aims to consolidate the public image of the 112 Emergency service.
The campaign has been launched in the month of January and will unfold throughout the year, under the slogan “Call 112 responsibly!”, with a series of actions that yield the potential to improve and consolidate the public image of the 112 Emergency service, as follows:
- The release of a press statement, where it has been announced that a decrease in the number of non-urgent calls in the year of 2024 has been achieved, with a reduction of almost one million calls compared to the previous year, as well as publicizing the main statistics related to 112 emergency number calls in the past year: information regarding the total number of calls, distribution of calls to the specialized response agencies depending on the type of emergency, a ranking of counties with responsible callers etc.
- The post of an Instagram carousel with examples of non-urgent calls to 112, with the caption: “Six calls that left us speechless”.
- Carrying out a national action for the illumination in red of the most important headquarters of local and central public authorities, education and cultural institutions, touristic attractions and corporate buildings in Romania, in a joint endeavor that means to outline the importance of the 112 Emergency service. It is the fourth time this initiative is taking place in Romania, where last year over 100 emblematic buildings have been illuminated in red in our country. Representative images of every partner who joined us in this campaign will be posted on all STS social media accounts and a press release will be issued to mass-media.
- The production of an anniversary video for social media, with a script built around an emergency case where a nine-year-old child was saved thanks to the first aid knowledge of the 112 operator and the cooperation with specialized response agencies.
- An interview with a 21-year-old 112 operator, who has the same age as the number of years the 112 Emergency service has existed in Romania, will be published on the internal communication channels of our institution.
- The participation in various broadcasts and contribution to news reports on the activity of the 112 Emergency service in Romania, as well as reports on the achievements of 112 operators and the continuous technical and operational development.
- The organization of permanent educational actions and visits in 112 call centers, as well as in educational establishments, that aim to raise awareness among pupils and young generations in regards to the 112 mission, responsible call to the single emergency number, the “Apel 112” mobile application and the work of STS operators and that of specialized response agencies.
- A newsletter with successful emergency intervention cases, a variety of developments and improvements, testimonies of 112 operators, as well as operational aspects concerning the emergency service will be disseminated among 112 personnel.
- Diplomas are awarded to 112 operators with a remarkable professional activity in 2024, as recognition of their performance.
- On the occasion of the European 112 Day, congratulatory letters will be sent to specialized response agencies and to public authorities in Romania which support the proper operation of the Single National Emergency Call System.
11.The organization of national and local meetings, between STS representatives who operate in the 112 emergency service domain and specialized response agencies, which aim to consolidate the collaboration and cooperation relationship.
All materials promoted in the public and online space are accompanied by hashtags indicated in EENA official correspondence and hashtags referring to the 112 Emergency service in Romania.