EENA Update 18/02/2026
EENA’s newsletter brings you the latest updates in emergency communications.
In this edition, you can read about the European 112 Day, Switzerland planning cell broadcast implementation, Bulgaria allowing AED use by all, and much more!
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EENA News
112 Day 2026: EENA calls to delay 2G/3G switch-offs and publishes new accessibility and PSAP reports
On European 112 Day, EENA joined authorities and emergency communications professionals across Europe in recognising the vital work of PSAPs and first responders, while highlighting the need to safeguard reliable access to emergency services as telecom networks evolve.
As 2G/3G networks are phased out and emergency calling increasingly depends on 4G/5G, EENA warned that service continuity must be ensured and called for delays to 2G/3G shutdown where reliable alternatives are not yet fully in place. Read more on EENA’s dedicated statement.
To mark the day, EENA has also released two new member resources: the PSAP 2025 Report Europe Edition, mapping PSAP structures and capabilities across Europe, and the Accessibility Report Card, assessing progress and gaps in accessible emergency communications.
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.
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
Crisis coordination in Europe: From policy frameworks to operational reality
3 March 2026 at 14:30 CET
As crises become increasingly complex and cross-border, effective coordination between institutions and emergency services is more critical than ever. In this webinar, EENA will present its new document, “Cooperation for Crisis Management”, exploring how operational coordination can be strengthened across Europe and how European legislation shapes cooperation in civil protection. Iratxe Gomez Susaeta, co-chair of the EENA Technical and Operations Committee and author of the EENA Document, will present the key challenges and practical recommendations identified in the publication. This will be followed by insights from Peter Lonergan, EENA’s Senior Policy Officer, who will outline the European legislative framework for civil protection, including the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and ongoing policy developments impacting preparedness and response across Europe.
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 2G/3G sunset in Sweden on our website!
Emergency communications around the world
Cell broadcast on discussion for implementation in Switzerland
Switzerland plans to complement its nationwide siren system with a cell broadcast system to improve how the population is warned during emergencies. Sirens sounded across Switzerland on the first Wednesday of February as part of the annual test, but the Federal Council plans to complement them with cell broadcast alerts to better warn the population. With cell broadcast, authorities could send messages to all phones in a defined area, increasing reach and giving clear guidance. However, the rollout is not imminent: the consultation on the law has just ended, Parliament must still approve the project, and the government is aiming for 2029, with costs estimated at 270 million francs by 2035. Local officials are calling for faster implementation. Cell broadcast will not replace sirens, which will continue to be tested annually.
Proposition to simplify the emergency call system into two numbers in Belgium
Belgium’s Interior Minister has proposed simplifying the country’s emergency call system by reducing it to just two numbers: 112 for urgent assistance and a single number for all non-urgent situations. While 112 already covers emergencies involving police, fire and medical services, non-urgent cases are currently handled through several different numbers, such as 101 for police matters, 1722 for storm damage and 1733 for non-urgent medical care. The Interior Minister has asked his administration to examine how these services could be merged into one non-urgent contact point. He told the Interior Affairs Committee that the reform would make the system clearer for citizens and help relieve pressure on emergency call centres, which are frequently overloaded with non-urgent calls.
Read more here – The Brussels Times
New law authorising the use of AED for everyone in Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s parliament has amended the Health Act to allow anyone, including non-medical bystanders, to use public automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in cardiac emergencies, removing legal uncertainty and aligning the country with practices elsewhere in Europe. The change aims to improve survival rates, which can rise significantly when defibrillators are used quickly. Bulgaria has one of the EU’s highest preventable mortality rates, largely due to heart disease. The law also updates bystanders’ duties to include calling 112 and gives the health minister responsibility for deciding where AEDs should be installed. Experts stress that public access must be paired with training. While devices are relatively affordable, extra funding and a national education campaign will be needed. The government must now set detailed rules for rollout and placement.
Finland to roll out nationwide ‘green wave’ system for emergency vehicles
Finland’s traffic authority, Fintraffic, will introduce a national traffic light priority system this summer to give emergency vehicles faster and safer passage through intersections. The automated system detects the location of ambulances, fire engines and other response units and creates a “green wave” by switching traffic lights to green along their route. The rollout follows a pilot involving around 700 intersections and 300 emergency vehicles, during which no emergency-related accidents were recorded. Authorities say the system will help reduce response times, particularly in congested areas, with nationwide implementation beginning in July.
Launch of a new satellite to support emergency communications in China
China has introduced a new satellite text messaging service using its BeiDou system, designed to keep people connected when mobile networks are down, such as during disasters or in remote areas. The service lets compatible smartphones send and receive messages directly via satellites. It has been added to the networks of China’s main telecom operators, so users do not need to change their SIM cards or phone numbers. About 60 smartphone models already support the service. The move aims to make satellite communication available to the public and improve communication at sea, in rural regions and during emergency response.
Read more here – Anadolu Ajansi
112 Ukraine has received over 10.5 million calls since its launch
Overall, according to the Ministry, since its launch, the 112 service has already received over 10.5 million calls from citizens. The “112 Ukraine” app is also operational, allowing people to call emergency services even without mobile network coverage – only Wi-Fi is needed. The ministry highlighted that this provides an additional channel for reporting emergencies, which can be particularly useful while staying in shelters, public places and other locations. From 15 January, the 112 line has also begun accepting reports about the lack of heat, water or electricity supply.
EU wildland firefighting force planned
The EU plans to create a 300-strong continent-wide wildland firefighting “rapid reaction force,” according to Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra. Details on where it will be based or when it will be ready are unclear. The force aims to show solidarity and strengthen Europe’s response to wildfires. The EU already shares firefighting resources through its Civil Protection Mechanism, including planes, helicopters and personnel, and opened a regional hub in Cyprus last year to support firefighting in the Middle East. This new force builds on nearly two decades of EU efforts to coordinate wildfire response.
Read more here – Wildfire Today
Public warning failure on the scope of alerting in the US
An emergency gas-leak alert issued by the authorities of a New Hampshire city was mistakenly broadcast across the county, and even into another state, instead of being geographically limited to the incident zone. While the message followed protocol amid a serious incident and heavy call volumes, officials are now investigating a failure in the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System’s targeting. From a public warning perspective, what was at stake was both immediate public safety and system credibility: alerts must be fast, but also precise. The incident highlights a key weakness in current alerting technology. Geofencing errors can cause unnecessary alarms at scale. Emergency managers stressed they would rather over-reach than fail to warn, but acknowledged the need to tighten delivery accuracy.
Romania rolls out advanced caller location and accessibility upgrades for 112
Romania’s Special Telecommunications Service (STS) has presented a new caller location system for 112, alongside new accessibility features for people with hearing impairments. Authorities say the upgraded system improves location accuracy and success rates, using five different localisation methods and functioning across 2G, 4G and 5G networks, independent of signal strength once a call is connected. The new architecture also enables greater operational flexibility by allowing calls to be handled beyond county-level systems. In addition, a video call pilot for people with hearing impairments is being launched in Bucharest and Ilfov, with plans for nationwide rollout. Romania reports an average 112 response time of six seconds.
Commissioner Lahbib highlights preparedness and resilient emergency communications
In a speech on recent natural disasters in Southern Europe, Commissioner Hadja Lahbib underlined the EU’s role in coordinating response efforts through the Emergency Response Coordination Centre and the Union Civil Protection Mechanism. She stressed the need to strengthen preparedness as climate change increases extreme weather events. The Commissioner also referred to future use of the Galileo satellite system to send alert messages to citizens, including in situations of blackout or major network disruption, highlighting the importance of resilient public warning systems.
Commissioner Lahbib speech – EU Commission
112 Day around Europe
Event promoting responsible use of the 112 emergency number in Malta
Hundreds of people attended a family event in Żabbar aimed at teaching the public, especially children, how to use the 112 emergency number properly. The event included activities and demonstrations by the police, civil protection, the armed forces, and hospital emergency staff. Children learned how emergency services work and when 112 should be called. Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri underlined that prevention is key and that events like this help people feel more confident approaching emergency services. He warned that many 112 calls are made in error each year, which can affect how services respond during real emergencies, such as recent storms.
Inside a 112 call centre in Belgium for the annual 112 Day
Euronews visited a Brussels emergency centre, where operator Jana Goemaere explained that every second counts when handling life-threatening calls. Operators must quickly ask the right questions, even though many callers seek medical advice they cannot provide. Belgian centres handled over 2.5 million calls in 2025, though some were false calls, which delay real emergencies. The day, created by the European Union in 2009, also aims to promote the correct use of 112, which works free of charge across EU countries and several neighbouring states. Close cooperation between call operators and firefighters in Brussels helps speed up responses. Authorities also promote the 112 BE mobile app, which shares a caller’s location and improves accessibility, although only 4–5% of emergency requests currently use it.
Luxembourg emergency services receive more than 700 calls daily
On European 112 Day, Luxembourg’s national fire and rescue service emergency service (CGDIS) shared key figures about its work. The Interior Minister, Léon Gloden, visited the 112 emergency centre to see operators in action and thanked staff for their service. The centre receives about 706 calls a day, with 206 leading to an intervention, usually launched within 2.5 minutes. Officials also presented new tools, including Emergency Eye, which allows operators to receive live video from callers, and instant messaging to improve access for people with disabilities, helping emergency teams respond better prepared.
Across Europe, organisations marked 112 Day with awareness campaigns, open days, demonstrations, and community activities to promote the correct use of 112 and highlight the people behind emergency response. EENA has compiled these national activities in a dedicated webpage.
See how different countries marked 112 Day here.
From our community
Member profile: Christian Militeau (Open to new roles)
Christian Militeau is a senior product executive specialising in next-generation emergency communications and AI-enabled platforms. As Vice President of Product Management, he leads large-scale portfolios across NG112/NG911, call handling, GIS, CAD and real-time communications systems. With expertise in public safety operations and telecom architecture, he drives cloud-native modernisation and AI-assisted solutions, including automated transcription and data-driven situational awareness. Christian works closely with public safety agencies and industry partners to deliver resilient, interoperable solutions that strengthen emergency response across North America and Europe.
FEU Leadership Conference 2026
On June 3–4, 2026, more than 300 senior fire chiefs and strategic leaders will meet in Hannover, Germany, for the inaugural FEU Leadership Conference. Organized by the Federation of EU Fire Officers (FEU), this high-level event unites Europe’s strategic fire leadership network to confront the challenges shaping our collective future. Over two days, the conference will feature keynotes and dialogues with senior voices from the European Commission, NATO, and leading international agencies.
BAPCO Annual event
The BAPCO Annual Event 2026 will take place on 25–26 March at the Coventry Building Society Arena in the UK. Organised by British APCO, the event brings together emergency services experts, technology innovators and decision-makers to explore the latest advancements in emergency response technology and communications. It features a free CPD-accredited conference, over 90 exhibitors, networking opportunities and curated tech tours focused on real-world solutions for public safety.
Critical Communications World 2026
Critical Communications World is the annual global gathering for mission-critical and business-critical communications professionals. Taking place on 16–18 June 2026 at ExCeL London, the event offers three days of expert content, networking and hands-on technology innovation.