WRITTEN QUESTION E-2091/02

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 July 2002)

Subject: Emergency phone number in the EU

With reference to my Written Question E-1237/02(1) to the Commission and the answer of 4 June 2002 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission:

- The emergency phone number 112 should have been introduced in the EU Member States by 31 December 1996.

- What specific measures is the EU taking to ensure that the Member States introduce the phone number and that the phone number is in fact used? Does any form of control mechanism exist and, if so, of which kind?

- Does the EU monitor whether the emergency phone number actually works? Are measures taken to ensure that the phone number 112 does in fact connect people to an emergency call centre and not, for example, to the local or regional police?

- Are measures taken to ensure that persons involved in an accident may enlist help by telephone using at least two languages (for example the national language and English)?

- In which Member States is the emergency phone number 112 actually used?

- Which Member States are experiencing problems with the introduction and use of the emergency phone number 112? What kind of problems are they experiencing?

- What are the arrangements for the applicant countries with regard to the emergency phone number 112? Are there any specific directives or regulations on this subject? Have any applicant countries already introduced the emergency phone number and, if so, which ones?

(1) OJ C 277 E, 14.11.2002.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(11 September 2002)

Two surveys carried out by the Commission in 1998 and 2001, and the 5th Report on the implementation of the telecommunications regulatory package(1), have all indicated that the '112' call number has indeed been introduced in all the Member States. Its introduction has been checked via the Open Network Provision Committees and the Committee on the Action Programme in the field of Civil Protection. The findings of the surveys, the situation regarding the implementation of 112 in the Union and all other relevant information can be found on the Europa site at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/civil/prote/112/112_en.htm.

The surveys also showed that, of all the Member States, only Germany and the United Kingdom said they could only handle calls in their official language. In the other Member States, 112 operators in practice speak English as well as the national language(s).

112 callers should be connected to a body authorised to deal with emergency calls. Call management organisation, e.g. between police/fire brigade or local/national police, remains entirely the responsibility of the Member States, which retain the prerogatives of civil defence pursuant to the principle of subsidiarity.

The Commission recently received two complaints concerning emergency service responses in a Member State. It is now examining these complaints and will probably need to request explanations from the Member State in question. This is without prejudice to the institution of infringement proceedings regarding the implementation of Council Decision 91/396/EEC of 29 July 1991 on the introduction of a single European emergency call number(2).

Generally speaking, the problems encountered by the Member States would appear to be of two main types: linguistic, leading to difficulties of understanding, and organisational. In a number of Member States, the traditional sharing of responsibilities among the emergency services (police/fire brigade/ambulance, for instance) may mean that 112 callers are not connected to all services.

Under the Action Programme in the field of Civil Protection(3), the Commission is, along with Spanish, Italian, Greek and Portuguese consumer associations, co-financing two projects to assess the introduction of 112 in those countries from the point of view of the end user. The findings are expected next year.

The Commission has no information as yet on the introduction of the 112 call number in the candidate countries, but will be sure to provide the Honourable Member with the relevant details as soon as possible.

(1) COM(1999) 537 final.

(2) OJ L 217, 6.8.1991.

(3) OJ L 327, 21.12.1999.