EENA Update 04/03/2026
EENA’s newsletter brings you the latest updates in emergency communications.
In this edition, you can read about New Zealand blocking phones due to 2G/3G shutdown, Australia’s plan to implement cell broadcast, and much more!
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EENA News
Registration for EENA Conference & Exhibition 2026 is open!
Join us in Riga, Latvia, on 15-17 April 2026, for three days of discussions, practical insights, and opportunities to connect with over 700 public safety professionals from more than 50 countries.
The conference programme will focus on strengthening preparedness and resilience in emergency communications, addressing challenges posed by geopolitical uncertainty, natural disasters, and the phasing out of 2G/3G networks. We will also explore Public Warning Systems, data integration, Next Generation 112, AI in PSAPs, and forthcoming EU legislation.
Registration for the pre-conference workshop is now open! Organised by Verisure, this exclusive session for public authority representatives will offer a strategic forum for PSAPs and third-party services to explore how cooperation models are evolving in today’s emergency response landscape. The workshop is free of charge, and you must be registered for the 2026 conference to attend.
Artificial intelligence handbook: EENA invites contributions from emergency services
While AI is rapidly expanding across industries, its adoption in emergency services remains cautious and measured. Public safety systems evolve slowly, often bound by standards, procedures, and certification requirements. Yet practical examples already exist: from anomaly detection in 112 call patterns, to ambulance fleet optimisation, to AI-supported medical guidance and training.
We are now gathering concrete use cases from PSAPs and emergency services to better understand where AI genuinely adds value in operational environments. The objective is to document real experiences and build practical guidance that others can learn from.
Learn more from our latest blogpost by Luca Bergonzi, co-chair of The EENA Tech & Ops Committee.
Did you see our latest publications?
To mark the European 112 Day, EENA released two new member resources: the PSAP 2025 Report Europe Edition, mapping PSAP structures and capabilities across Europe, and the Accessibility Report Card, highlighting progress and remaining gaps in accessible emergency communications.
Don’t forget to join the new Members’ Area!
The new EENA Members’ Area provides a single access point for member resources such as the PSAP report and other documents, with additional features coming later this year.
Already a member? Please register to activate your access and stay up to date with member communications and benefits. To remain an active EENA member, you need to activate your account.
Corporate members: Your organisation’s account should be set up by the main contact, who will then be able to add colleagues from the same organisation.
Webinars
Innovating for preparedness: Turning EU investment into real-world impact
17 March 2026 at 14:30 CET
How can Europe build stronger, more disaster-resilient communities? This webinar will explore preparedness, risk awareness, and citizen engagement through the lens of EU civil security priorities and the Horizon Europe 2026–2027 Work Programme. Join us to learn how innovation and funding opportunities are being shaped to meet the real needs of emergency services and public safety actors.
This webinar is only open to EENA members.
Add the webinar to your calendar.
SUNSHINE Project: Leveraging EU Space data and services for disaster resilience
2 April 2026 at 14:30
Join this SUNSHINE webinar to discover how the EU-funded project, coordinated by the European Commission’s DG DEFIS, strengthens disaster resilience across Europe by promoting the use of EU Space Programme services (including Copernicus EMS, Galileo EWSS, SSA and GOVSATCOM) within civil protection frameworks. The session will introduce the SUNSHINE project scope, present the objectives and format of the Training Seminars, and provide an overview of upcoming training opportunities.
Add the webinar to your calendar.
Did you miss our previous webinars?
You can watch our webinar on using multimedia in emergency calls on our Members’ Area!
Upcoming events
ETSI NG112 and NG eCall Plugtests 2026
The NG112 Plugtests (26–29 May 2026) and NG eCall Plugtests (1–5 June 2026) will take place in Ljubljana, Slovenia, free of charge. Organised by ETSI in cooperation with EENA and partners, the events aim to test and verify interoperability of Next Generation 112 and NG eCall solutions, including 4G/IMS-based eCall systems, in line with upcoming EU deployment requirements. Hosted by Telekom Slovenije, the NG eCall Plugtests will use a real 4G mobile network to test interoperability between in-vehicle systems (IVS) and PSAPs.
An information call will be held on 5 March 2026 (15:00–16:00 CET) to explain the testing process and practical arrangements. The session is open to all interested stakeholders.
Learn more here about the NG eCall Plugtests.
Learn more here about the NG112 Plugtests.
Emergency communications around the world
New Zealand’s mobile operators will block phones unable to call emergency services
New Zealand’s three main mobile network operators (Spark, 2degrees and One NZ) are shutting down their 3G networks and moving customers to 4G and 5G services. As a result, some phones and connected devices, including medical alarms, security systems and vehicle trackers, will stop working. Spark says that about 300 mobile phones will be blocked from its network on 31 March, because they cannot make emergency calls after the shutdown. Although these phones can still make normal calls, send texts and use data on 4G, according to Spark, they are not properly set up by manufacturers to connect to emergency services. Most affected devices are ASUS models not sold by Spark. Some may continue working if updated, but others will need replacing. Spark says blocking the phones is necessary to avoid safety risks, as users might believe their devices work fully when emergency calling is unavailable. The company is contacting affected customers directly.
Australia to implement its new cell broadcast system “AusAlert”
Australia will begin testing a new national cell broadcast system called “AusAlert” this year. Trials start in June in both regional and city areas, followed by a nationwide test message on 27 July sent to compatible mobile devices. AusAlert can be used for events such as bushfires, floods, cyclones, security threats and health emergencies. Messages can target areas as small as a single building and reach millions of phones almost instantly. During major emergencies, phones will sound a loud alert and vibrate, even if set to silent. The system is being introduced following recommendations made after Australia’s severe 2019–20 bushfire season.
Denmark’s ‘social ambulance’ offers a new approach to emergency care
Copenhagen introduced a “social ambulance”, called the Sociolance, to improve how emergency services help vulnerable people. Instead of only reacting to crises by sending police or taking people to the hospital, the Sociolance focuses on the deeper social and mental health problems that cause repeated emergencies. Staffed by a paramedic and a social worker, the team supports people struggling with issues such as addiction, homelessness, or mental illness, helping them access long-term care, housing, and local services. By building trust and following up over time, they aim to break the cycle of repeated emergency calls. The programme has shown positive results, helping individuals stabilise their lives while reducing pressure on traditional emergency services. Overall, it represents a shift from short-term crisis response towards more holistic, preventative care that connects medical and social support systems.
India tests cell broadcast system nationwide
A loud warning sound and message received on many mobile phones was part of a nationwide emergency alert test in India. The test, organised by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) with the Department of Telecommunications, aims to improve how people are warned during disasters. Alerts were sent to both iPhone and Android users and may appear more than once. This is because mobile towers across different networks are being checked to make sure the system works properly everywhere. By testing how alerts are broadcast through these towers, authorities want to ensure future warnings about dangers such as earthquakes, tsunamis, or flash floods reach people quickly and reliably.
Dutch cities strengthen emergency services resilience through emergency support points
Nearly 70 municipalities in the Netherlands have started a pilot project with emergency support points across all 25 safety regions. These are special locations where residents can go for help when public services stop working during a crisis. People will at least receive clear and important information there. The pilot also tests whether these sites can offer extra support. Residents may be able to call 112 if phone and internet networks fail. They may also receive drinking water and charge essential devices. Each emergency support point must be ready within one hour after a crisis begins. The locations use emergency generators and backup communication tools, such as satellite phones and radios. Familiar public buildings, including community centres, schools, libraries, and municipal offices, are being used. Municipalities work closely with safety regions to run the project. National safety organisations coordinate the trial. The government has set aside funding, and permanent financial support may be introduced from 2027 to expand the programme.
Finland considers upgrading its 112 app to get airborne threat alerts
Finland plans to upgrade its 112 Suomi emergency app to send alerts about airborne threats, using lessons learned from Ukraine. The Ministry of the Interior says Finland needs a stronger multi-channel warning system, as mobile apps have proved useful in Ukraine. Rescue authorities are responsible for issuing such warnings, and development has been carried out with the Finnish Air Force. The app already has about two million users and provides emergency alerts and official messages. The project, funded by the EU, will continue until the end of 2027. Finland stresses it is not currently facing a military threat.
Moldova works to improve caller location
Moldova plans to improve its 112 emergency service by introducing new standards to locate callers more quickly and accurately. From July 2026, mobile networks must find most callers within 500 metres, improving to 300 metres by May 2027. Dispatchers may also receive height information where possible. Location data should be reliable in 98% of cases, and coordinates should arrive within 20 seconds for most calls. The system will be tested before launch. These changes aim to fix current problems, including slow response times and poor location accuracy, which strongly affect emergency response efficiency.
Pilot on direct-to-device satellite emergency communications
The European Parliament has submitted an amendment to the EU budget 2027 to propose a pilot project on direct-to-device satellite emergency communications, aimed at strengthening the resilience of Europe’s emergency systems during network breakdowns and geopolitical crises. The pilot would assess how smartphones could connect directly to satellites when terrestrial networks fail, test the technology in crisis simulations with emergency services, and develop policy recommendations and practical guidelines for Member States. It also aims to explore the need for EU-level action to support sovereign satellite-based emergency connectivity. The proposal has received support from more than 40 MEPs across six political groups and will now be submitted to the European Commission for assessment.
Two fatalities during rescue exercise in France
Two people died during a mountain rescue training exercise in the Sancy region (Puy-de-Dôme) after a helicopter winching cable broke, causing a fatal fall in rocky terrain. The Clermont-Ferrand prosecutor has opened an investigation for manslaughter to determine the cause of the unforeseen manoeuvre. The victims were a 30-year-old emergency doctor and a firefighter in his thirties, both actively involved in emergency and rescue services. Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the incident.
Read more here (La Voix du Nord)
United States county uses an AI platform to relieve PSAP call workload
A new system has been introduced in a county of New Mexico to help handle non-emergency phone calls more efficiently. When people call the non-emergency number, they first speak to an artificial intelligence assistant that talks with them, understands their problem, and directs them to the right service. If the situation turns out to be serious, the call is quickly passed to emergency operators.
The aim is to save time and allow human staff to focus on urgent cases, especially those needing detailed support or life-saving instructions. The system can deal with several calls at once and works in both English and Spanish, while staff continue to supervise calls for safety. In future, it will also combine information from cameras and drones to give responders a clearer picture of incidents.
Read more here (Bernalillo County)
The Bank of Lithuania releases new innovative coins highlighting the European emergency number 112
Lithuania has released new silver proof coins to celebrate 112. The Bank of Lithuania created these coins as a symbol of European cooperation and safety. Designed by Tomas Dragūnas and minted in Vilnius, the €20 coin features emergency colours and the number 112 at its centre.
Our community
We were deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Miguel Mollà, Responsible of Technologies, 112 Valencia, Spain. During his career, Miguel played an important role in improving emergency communications systems not only in the Valencian Community but also across Spain. His work included, among others, the implementation of Advanced Mobile Location (AML) and support for the rollout of ES-Alert, contributing to the development of tools used by emergency services.
Colleagues in the emergency services community remember him for his professionalism, technical knowledge and strong commitment to improving the systems that help protect people in emergencies. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues in the Spanish emergency services community.