11th February 2010 marks the second edition of the European 112 Day. The emergency number 112 is common to all 27 countries of the European Union and is used to contact emergency services free of charge.
While the surveys have shown that more than 9 out of 10 Europeans are positive towards the creation and existence of this life saving number, still 3 out of 4 are unaware of these 3 digits that could save their lives when in need of reaching the police, ambulance or fire services. Therefore, events to promote the knowledge and good use of 112 are organised today in several European cities from Portugal to Finland and from Belgium to Bulgaria.
“We are proud that our European emergency services’ leaders are putting this much energy to publicise 112 during this second European 112 Day; they deserve our full recognition”, commented Olivier Paul-Morandini, founder of the 112 Foundation, a Brussels-based foundation dedicated to the promotion of the European emergency number. “112 is the key element of citizens’ safety: every European should know this number and how to use it in order to facilitate emergency services’ interventions”, added Mike Amarosa, President of the 112 Foundation.
Lithuania. The organization responsible for the administration of 112 calls in Lithuania - Emergency Response Center distributed information about 112 day on the websites www.bpc112.lt; www.sos112.lt; www.vpgt.lt. Lithuanian Emergency Response Center Chief Arturas Kedavicius said throughout the European Union, in the case of an emergency, people should not hesitate dial 112 for the urgent emergency help.

“Please remember to teach 112 to your children: 112 is 1 mouth, 1 nose and 2 eyes!”, she/he concluded.

About the 112 Foundation

The 112 Foundation was created to promote the knowledge and appropriate use of the European emergency number 112. Its main objective is to propose information campaign and materials to all citizens and organisations willing to inform and educate on 112. The Foundation works closely with the 112 Emergency Services Staff Network (112 ESSN), which became the largest bottom-up EU network of emergency services focusing on a high level quality 112 service.

More information:  www.112foundation.eu and www.112day.eu