SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE December 4 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Minister for Territorial Policy, Territorial Cohesion and Water of the Canary Islands Government, Manuel Miranda, along with the president of the European Emergency Number Association (ENNA 112), Demetrios Pyrros, launched the international forum titled ‘The next generation 112 and the role of Artificial Intelligence in emergency communications’ this Wednesday.
The occasion was also attended by the Deputy Minister of Emergencies and Water, Marcos Lorenzo, the managing director of GSC Canarias, Luis Cabrera, and the director of 112 Canarias, Moisés Sánchez.
Miranda expressed gratitude to the representatives from 29 nations for their participation and affirmed that the Canary Islands are dedicated to “investing in and enhancing the civil protection framework to ensure it becomes more resilient and effective,” adhering, among others, to the suggestions from the European Emergency Number Association (ENNA 112).
In this regard, Miranda noted that during its 26 years of operation, 112 Canarias has assisted over half a million individuals and has received more than 55 million calls.
According to the Minister of Territorial Policy, this data showcases the pride of the Canary Islands regarding the implemented system and underscores the importance of investing in the integration of new technologies that enhance public service.
On his part, EENA president Demetrios Pyrros commended the efforts made by the islands and emphasised the necessity of having an updated emergency system that incorporates the latest technological advancements, with a focus on civil protection.
He also cited the recent DANA in Valencia as one of the obstacles to be addressed in the future, as stated in a note from the Canary Islands Government.
Following the opening ceremony, the forum commenced with various presentations centred on transitioning to the new Next Generation (NG) 112 system across Europe, as well as examining the advancements made by several countries and the advantages gained concerning technical and operational efficiency.
MODERNISE COMMUNICATIONS
In line with this, specialists from various nations elucidated the features of the NG112 system, its significance in upgrading emergency communications, and the crucial standards needed for efficient and coordinated implementation.
The first day concluded with a panel discussion that included representatives from different emergency centres in Romania, Lithuania, and Finland, who shared their expectations, plans, and anticipated challenges regarding NG112 implementation, offering a practical and strategic perspective.
During Thursday’s session, the conversation will revolve around how the utilisation of artificial intelligence in emergency management will alleviate routine tasks within control rooms, as well as the assistance that intelligent systems will provide for technicians in decision-making during non-routine incidents, including language detection and translation, among many other benefits.
Furthermore, real-life cases demonstrating the application of this burgeoning technology will be examined, one such case pertaining to 112 Canarias itself.
