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It’s quick to dial 112. It becomes more difficult when the location isn’t clear. „The house above the bend“ or „behind the petrol station on the right“ works in everyday life, but not necessarily in an emergency control centre. Particularly in rural areas, on the outskirts of towns and in large housing estates, every piece of specific information counts: municipality, street, parcel number, house number, GPS coordinates and the best route to the location.
The European emergency number 112 This also applies in the Comunitat Valenciana. It is responsible for medical emergencies, fires, accidents, acute danger situations and other call-outs. Residents and homeowners on the Costa Blanca would therefore be well advised to carry out a quick check: would a guest, a carer or an elderly relative be able to clearly describe the location in an emergency?
When making an emergency call, there’s no time for long explanations. It helps to follow a clear sequence:
Anyone who is not confident speaking Spanish should have this information to hand in writing. This is not a complicated precaution, but a practical aid for those moments when nobody wants to spend time searching for it.
An official address is not always sufficient. In some housing estates, there are similar street names, multiple entrances or unclear house numbers. In rural districts, the postal address and the actual access route may differ. Even sat-nav apps do not always lead you to the correct gate.
That is why GPS coordinates should be written down in a clearly visible place – not just on someone’s mobile phone. It is a good idea to keep a small emergency card on the fridge, next to the telephone or in the hall.
It should say:
This map is particularly useful for residents living alone, managed properties and holiday homes. Guests often do not know the area well enough to describe it accurately under pressure.
When making 112 calls from a smartphone, automatic location sharing can be helpful. The system is called AML – Advanced Mobile Location. When an emergency call is made, it sends the device’s location data to the emergency call centre. The Generalitat Valenciana announced back in 2022 that, in many cases, the location can be determined with a high degree of accuracy.
AML is a significant step forward, but it is no guarantee. Battery level, mobile network coverage, buildings, the terrain or device settings can all play a part. Anyone who is still able to speak should therefore still state their location, town or village, residential area and any landmarks.
Important: After making the emergency call, do not switch off your mobile phone, do not put it into flight mode, and remain available. The control centre or emergency services may call you back.
iPhone and Android offer ways to store emergency information. Medical details and emergency contacts can be saved there. Depending on the settings, first aiders may also be able to view this information even when the device is locked.
The following are useful:
On the iPhone, this is done via the Emergency ID in the Health app. On Android devices, depending on the manufacturer, there is either an „Emergency Information“ section or a „Personal Safety“ app.
The app GVA 112 Notices It is not an emergency app. It is nevertheless useful because it displays official warnings for the Comunitat Valenciana – for example, regarding heavy rain, storms, heatwaves or the risk of forest fires.
For residents on the Costa Blanca, this is more than just a weather update. In housing estates on the edge of woodland or scrubland, such warnings can help people to take action sooner: securing patios, avoiding journeys, informing relatives, postponing gardening work or strictly avoiding open fires. Download at – https://www.112cv.gva.es/es/app-gva-112-avisos
In the case of security situations, the following may also apply: AlertCops help. The Spanish Ministry of the Interior’s app connects users with the Policía Nacional and the Guardia Civil. Among other things, it offers a chat function, an SOS feature and location sharing.
This can be helpful in the event of language barriers, suspicious situations, when travelling alone, or in non-urgent safety matters. However, in the event of a medical emergency, fire, accident or immediate danger to life, the 112 the right number.
Download at – https://alertcops.ses.mir.es/publico/alertcops/
Simple emergency preparations take very little time and can make a big difference in an emergency:
An emergency call doesn’t just begin with the phone call itself. On the Costa Blanca, it’s often the preparation beforehand that makes all the difference: Is the location clear? Are the coordinates to hand? Does anyone know which gate needs to be opened? Have details of any medication, allergies and emergency contacts been provided?
Call 112 to get help on its way. If you have your details ready, you’ll help ensure that help arrives without delay.
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