112 Day: Celebrating the EU’s Single Emergency Number

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Every year on 11 February, the European Union puts its Single Emergency Number “112” in the spotlight.

Thanks to EU legislation adopted in 1991, people in distress can call the 112 emergency number from anywhere in the EU and free of charge. Calls in the EU to the “112” reached 140 million last year. It is almost half of all the emergency calls. A report published today, shows that this number increases every year and that several Member States have improved their automatic caller locating system. Furthermore, the report focusses on how Member States ensure that people with disabilities can contact emergency services in an equally easy way as those without. Commissioner for the Digital Economy and Society, Mariya Gabriel, stated: “112 is a life-saving number for all users. The Commission services are engaging actively with relevant Member States authorities in order to address all outstanding issues and to secure swift and concrete solutions that ensure equivalent access to emergency services for everybody. The recently adopted European Communications Code and the political agreement on the European Accessibility Act reinforce our Union’s commitment to ensure an inclusive society.” Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, Marianne Thyssen, added: “With the European Accessibility Act we are breaking down barriers to the participation and inclusion of people with disabilities across the European Union. Soon, people with disabilities will be sure to have equivalent access to the single European emergency number 112 to save lives, regardless of the Member State they’re in and on an equal footing with others.” The full report can be found here. More details on 112 Day and the Single European Emergency Number can be found here. More information on this year’s campaign called #HumansOf112, set up by the European Emergency Number Association, can be found here. 

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