Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS)

At some point in your life, you may need to call emergency services such as firemen, police or medical personnel. By being prepared for calling emergency services, you can get the help you need much more quickly, which can make a big difference in an emergency. Parents should also teach their children about when and how to call for help.

The principal emergency services are the “blue light” services that respond to normal emergencies in Ireland, namely An Garda Síochána, the Ambulance Service, the Fire Service and the Irish Coast Guard. The principal emergency services would be the first services to respond to most emergencies.

Visit the dedicated website http://www.112.ie/ for further information on how and when to call the emergency services within Ireland and the EU.

We have some functions regarding Ireland’s Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS):

• We monitor the quality of service provided by the ECAS provider.
• We review the maximum call handling fees charged by ECAS providers to the service providers.

All service providers must make every effort to provide access to the emergency services and it must be provided free of charge.  Wireless or VoIP service providers must let you know about any limitations of providing access to the emergency services in the terms and conditions before you sign up.

Further information on emergency services:

• EU Commission website promoting the use of 112
• Irish Fire Service
• An Garda Síochána
• National Ambulance Service
• Irish Coast Guard
• Office of Emergency Planning
• Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
• EENA (European Emergency Number Association)