Single European Emergency Number
Updated: 5th February 2009
The single European emergency number 112 – saving it in your phone could one day save a life!
By Viviane Reding, European Commissioner for Information Society and Media
If something happens to you at home or in your own country, the chances are you will easily remember your national emergency number. But if you are one of the many millions of people who travel across the EU for work, study or leisure each year and get caught in an emergency, are you sure you would know what emergency number to call? Don't worry, you the only number you need to know is 112. This is the single European emergency number that works in all EU countries for all types of emergencies. 112 does not replace national emergency numbers but it complements existing numbers anywhere you go in the EU, so every citizen should save it in his/her phone book.
When I became EU Telecoms Commissioner, I was told that Europe’s best kept secret was 112. At the time, although it was meant to be a common number available in all EU countries since 1991 (!), it was not, unfortunately, working properly. Not enough had been done in most EU Member States to ensure an efficient 112 service. This was unfortunate mostly for the EU citizens who were missing out on a potentially life-saving service. Worse still, in some EU countries the number was not available at all. This is why I made it a priority for the European Commission to change this unacceptable situation. I believe that EU citizens come first, and that the EU must guarantee their safety in the same way that it has guaranteed their freedom to travel across the borders of 27 countries.
Today, I am proud to say that the single European emergency number works across Europe, and I consider this an important result of European cooperation that will help citizens in their daily life. Over the past five years, we have rolled up our sleeves and worked hard with all EU countries to make sure that citizens can use 112 from either a fixed telephone line or a mobile phone. Although we sometimes had to threaten governments and launch legal action when they did not do their job, it was always done with Europe’s citizens in mind.
112 is a real life saver – when you dial 112, the emergency services in most of the countries can pinpoint your location even if you do not know exactly where you are. This caller location information can really help people in trouble who do not know their exact location. If you remember the last time you were in another country, you will remember that telling someone how to find you at any given moment might not be so easy, not too mention under pressure. This can save valuable time… and lives.
However, there is more work to do to make sure that these great tools help Europeans. I must say that I am a little disappointed to see that in the UK only 8% of citizens know that 112 is the emergency number throughout the EU. This is the third lowest figure in the EU. This makes it very simple for British people traveling within the EU to reach the fire brigade, the police or the medical services if they suddenly find themselves in an emergency. As 112 functions properly across the EU, from London to Ljubljana, we will now urge the authorities in the UK to join us in stepping our efforts to improve awareness.
Today, on 11 February, the European Commission celebrates the first European Day on 112 in co-operation with the European Parliament and the EU Czech Presidency. I hope that this day will be a true wake up call for national authorities in all 27 EU countries. All citizens should be properly informed about 112 so that they can feel safe when they travel abroad in the EU.
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