The European Commission, together with the European Parliament and European Council, has declared 11 February as European 112 Day with the aim of broadening awareness of 112 across the continent. Finland is participating in the work by arranging 112 Day events up and down the country and through public education concerning the emergency number.
Since December 2008 citizens have been able to contact emergency response centres from anywhere in the EU by calling the EU’s common 112 emergency number. The movement of European citizens within Europe is burgeoning year by year, which increases the need to guarantee their safety when travelling. The Pan-European emergency number 112 means help is now available on the same number in all parts of the EU.
Ministers as patrons of 112 Day
The main 112 Day event will take place in Helsinki’s Kamppi Centre. The patrons of 112 Day – Anne Holmlund, Minister of the Interior and Paula Risikko, Minister of Health and Social Services – will open the event at midday.
The wisdom of the Everyday Hero will be disseminated during the 112 Day events being staged in all parts of Finland. More detail on the event sites and times can be found on the 112 Day’s new campaign website at www.112-paiva.fi.
Hello, Everyday Hero!
The question that will be asked during the 112 Day events is “Are you an Everyday Hero?” The question is important, as a great many accidents could be prevented if we are prepared to be Everyday Heroes; in other words, to do all we can to prevent accidents.
The aim of the 112 Day events is to focus on the means by which we can avoid situations of danger. A major aid in creating the campaign is safety partnership, or, in other words, fluent cooperation among the various safety actors. The prevention of dangerous situations, and effecting action when these are unavoidable, are part and parcel of the daily work of rescue services, police, ERCs and social services representatives alike, as well as of many other authorities.
Traditional emergency announcement test on 112 Day
This year, testing of the forwarding system for emergency announcements will once again include television, with announcements appearing in a box at the top of the screen at 11.20 a.m. on 112 Day. Emergency announcements will also be updated on page 112 of teletext during the test. Testing by radio will continue as in previous years.
The Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE), MTV3 and Channel Four Finland are participating in the test, along with all commercial radio stations. Responsibility for the emergency announcement system, including its operation and development, lies with the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
The work of the ERCs should not be burdened with enquiries about the emergency
announcement test which have been made using the emergency number.
Calls to 112 should only be made in genuine emergencies.
Theme day coordination by a national group
The 112 Day campaign is being coordinated by a national working group comprising representatives of the Ministry of the Interior’s Department for Rescue Services, the police, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Emergency Response Centre Administration and regional rescue departments.
The working group’s support of the organisation of 112 Day events includes the provision of nationwide publicity and marketing material.
The 112 Day events are being arranged by local authorities and other actors in the safety field throughout Finland.
Further information concerning local events can be obtained from the local organisers. Events and contact details can be found at www.112-paiva.fi under the same heading.
Further information on the opening event at the Kamppi Centre in Helsinki:
Markus Grönholm, Director of the Helsinki ERC, +358 71 4701 401, gsm +358 500 407591
More information about the emergency announcement test on television and radio:
Rauli Parmes, Security Director, Ministry of Transport and Communications, tel. +358 1602 8380, gsm +358 40 506 5266
Further information about 112 Day: www.112-paiva.fi
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