European 112 Day 2011
Actions organised all over Europe this year
The European Institutions celebrate the European 112 Day
The European Parliament promoted 112 via all its national office in the EU by sending press releases and publishing information on national websites and Facebook pages. A news was also published on Parliament's Front page (22 languages).
The European Commission published a press release with the results of the latest studies on 112 - Eurobarometer 2011 (knowledge and experience about 112).
The European countries celebrate the European 112 Day
Austria
2 TV spots were launched on 11th February. They run 3 of 4 times every day.
Belgium
Based in Belgium, the 112 Foundation prepared several activities:
- A 112 human chain was formed at the main square of Brussels
- Pupils sang the 112 anthem in front of the Manneken Pis that wore a 112 costume (created for the occasion and showed in the Museum of Manneken Pis' costumes)
- The Minister of Education visited a school where pupils were taught about how to call emergency numbers
- Open-doors were organised at Brussels 112 call centre
- Hostesses informed travelers about 112 and gave them 112 postcards at Brussels' Airport
- A press conference was held at Brussels
Bulgaria
A press conference with the Minister of Interior was organised on 11th February. At this occasion, the national Ambassador for 112, Ivet Lalova, a famous Bulgarian athlete, was announced. Employees from the 112 staff were honoured by receiving Awards.
Croatia
In the Croatian capital, Zagreb, citizens and emergency services formed a 112 human chain at the main square of the city. The official picture was taken within Mr Šime Strikoman's Millennium Photography Project. This event was attended by many distinguished guests including representatives from central state bodies, City of Zagreb and Zagreb County. In addition to the central ceremony in Zagreb, all local protection and rescue offices were also organising activities marking the European 112 Day in their county centres.
Denmark
The Danish national 112 Day was celebrated in the Danish Parliament. A conference gathered several representatives of emergency services and focused on emergency issues (police, fire brigade, ambulance service etc.).
Estonia
Finland
Every year, there are dozens and dozens of events that are held all around Finland. The national main celebration will be held in the Jokilaaksot region. It will take place in the lively market town of Ylivieska. There will also be three coordinated events.
France
A 112 human chain was formed in Metz.
Germany
Europe Direct Information Centre of Stuttgart created a new 112 flyer that was translated into 10 languages. All participating Europe Direct Informations Centers are promoting the 112 number within their national networks.
Radio 112 and the German Fire-fighters Association held actions all day long. Radio 112 broadcasted:
- Actions of individual, associations, public authorities
- Interviews with officials and experts
- Information on 112
- Greetings from listeners to listeners
- 112 songs
Iceland
Ireland
To coincide with '112 Day' in Ireland, a new website was launched to promote the awareness and proper use of 112 as the European emergency number. A 2-minute animation was also published to promote the awareness and proper use of 112.
Kosovo
From Monday, 7th to Friday, 11th, the NGO "Peace Prosperity Values", in cooperation with 112 emergency call centers and first responders (firefighters, police and first medical aid), promoted 112 in three primary schools, two secondary schools and one University. 50 students (volunteers) were selected from each school and contributed to 112 promotion in different ways such as distribution of advertisement and dissemination of 112 questionnaires. On 11th February, in Pristina, a conference was held with central institutions, civil society organisation and Medias. 112 in Europe, 112 in Kosovo and Challenges and Cooperation with civil society were discussed.
Latvia
Press conferences were held in several cities while the 112 center of Riga organised open doors all day long. Mobile operators sent sms with reminder on 112.
Lithuania
A competition among 1-4 graders was organsied to honour the best picture of 112 pupil chain. A statue of a famous doctor was dressed with 112 colours. This doctor lived in Vilnius and saved many lives of children and poor people.
Poland
Krakow:
A human chain was formed on the main market square (baloons, tshirts, emergency cars plus mini events like showing the cars, telling people about basic life support and how to deal with 112). Pupils whot were invited to visit the emergency call centre received information on 112. 4 children, who properly used 112 to save their relatives, were awarded.
Warsaw: A conference about 112 was held.
Portugal
In a School of Setúbal, a human chain was formed by 250 pupils. Local authorities around the country also held several awareness actions celebrating the 20th anniversary of 112. The Internal Administration Secretary of State considered that the 112 "is, in many cases, the difference between life and death. Knowing how to use it is certanaily fundamental. Lets us take this day to spread its knowledge and awareness among the youngsters to its correct use."
Romania
Students were invited to visit 112 dispatch centers from all the counties. In Bucharest, they formed a 112 human chain. The press was provided with a press release, including information on a national project that aims at reducing abusive calls. Journalists participated in activities organised by the Romanian Special Telecommunications Service. Radio Romania and TVR public stations broadcasted a series of announcements about the importance and usefulness of 112.
Serbia
The Balkans Institute for Risk Assessment and Emergency Management, in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia organised a promotional event and a cocktail party.
Slovenia
The Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief held a conference on the 112 number in the call centre of Brežice (open-doors). A simulation of a 112 call and activation of protection and rescue forces was also organised. 70 pupils of Brežice elementary school receive information on 112 at school.
Spain
Canary Islands: An institutional event was held with several national and international high level personalities.
Exhibition and display of emergency resources (1-1-2 vehicles, helicopter, Police car, Red Cross, Civil defence, Sanitary resources, ambulances) was also organised. Besides parachutes were over flying the area with 112 flags and colour flares. A joint rescue demostration concludes the 112 day. Children, authorities from emergency services and the President of the Canary Government particpated to all these activities.
Madrid: Employees of the Madrid 112 call centre formed a 112 human chain.
Sweden
At the main square of Stockholm, in the very heart of the capital, a human 112-chain was formed by the Police, fire-brigade, ambulance and the Red Cross together with citizens. Pictures were taken from the fire-brigades 30m high ladder. During the 112 Day, SOS Alarm cooperated with several national NGOs that gave 112 information and disseminated 150.000 112 cards in around 250 places all over Sweden!
Turkey
Antalya region ,where 112 has recently been implemented, celebrated the European 112 day for the first time. Emergency services participated and activities focused on children were organised.
United Kingdom
Ms Diana Wallis, Vice-president of the European Parliament, and Emmanuel Paul, President of the 112 Foundation, sent a letter to the Association of European Airlines: they asked airlines companies to inform passengers (flights going from an EU country to another EU country), all year long, on the existence of 112.
On 11th February, EasyJet informed several of its passengers on 112.
View the letter from Diana Wallis to the Chairman of the Association of European Airlines (426KB)
