Did you know that when you are deaf or hearing-impaired, or when you have a speech impediment, you can contact the emergency centres by means of the 112.be app (112.be/en/app) and by SMS.
App 112 BE
If you have a smartphone, the app 112 BE is one of the possibilities to contact the emergency centres when you are in distress and need urgent assistance of the fire brigade, an ambulance and/or the police in Belgium.
On the 112.be website there are 2 short films using sign language (in French) explaining how to use the app and SMS function: https://112.be/en/for-deaf-people
Advantages of the 112 App:
Attention:
Download and register for the 112.be app:
With a good internet connection it only takes 112 seconds to download, install and register the app on your smartphone. To do so, go to the app or play store on your smartphone, insert “app 112 BE” in the search box and download the app. After the installation of the app you best put it immediately on the home screen of your smartphone so you can easily find it when you're in distress. After that you only need to register. This registration only consists of 2 screens with a number of short questions.
I hope of course you will never need the app, but do register so you can contact the emergency centres using the app when you, your family or your friends need urgent assistance.
If you have a smartphone, the app 112 BE is one of the possibilities to contact the emergency centres when you are in distress and need urgent assistance of the fire brigade, an ambulance and/or the police in Belgium.
On the 112.be website there are 2 short films using sign language (in French) explaining how to use the app and SMS function: https://112.be/en/for-deaf-people
Advantages of the 112 App:
- 3 emergency services, 1 app: you don't need to remember the emergency numbers. You just click on the icon of the fire brigade, ambulance or police, depending on the type of assistance you need.
- Localization: the emergency centres can find you more easily by means of the GPS function on your smartphone thanks to this app. When your "location" is switched on in your smartphone, the app sends your location to the emergency centre as soon as you call and then sends an update of your location every 30 seconds for as long as you are calling. If you called the emergency centres and you don't respond anymore after that, then the emergency centres let your smartphone ring so that the emergency services can find and help you more easily.
- Chat function: as a deaf or hearing-impaired person, or as a person with a speech impediment, you can mention this while registering the app by checking this option. The app will then activate the chat function when you make an emergency call by means of the app, allowing you to communicate with the emergency centre by means of messages.
- Extra information: you can also provide certain medical information, such as a heart condition, allergies (to medication), epilepsy, diabetes, ... The operator has this information even before you have said something and can give this information to the emergency centres that come to help you.
Attention:
- Both the app 112 BE and the SMS service are only available in Belgium
- When you can contact the emergency centres by means of a normal voice call, please do not use the chat function of the app or the SMS service. By asking questions orally the operator can anticipate the answers faster. Moreover, by means of a normal voice call operators can provide medical accompaniment such as resuscitation instructions
Download and register for the 112.be app:
With a good internet connection it only takes 112 seconds to download, install and register the app on your smartphone. To do so, go to the app or play store on your smartphone, insert “app 112 BE” in the search box and download the app. After the installation of the app you best put it immediately on the home screen of your smartphone so you can easily find it when you're in distress. After that you only need to register. This registration only consists of 2 screens with a number of short questions.
I hope of course you will never need the app, but do register so you can contact the emergency centres using the app when you, your family or your friends need urgent assistance.
Written by Kate Ellwood First Aid Instructor and Assessor (October 2019)
LifeFirst provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. LifeFirst is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken based on this information. It is strongly advised that you attend a First Aid course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.
LifeFirst provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. LifeFirst is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken based on this information. It is strongly advised that you attend a First Aid course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.