The 112 emergency system is the direct connection to rapid intervention services in Romania — police, ambulance, firefighters, and specialized rescue units. For those living in Bucharest, understanding how the system works and when it is truly necessary to call can make the difference between an efficient response and an unnecessary call. Below, we explain clearly how the system operates, what to keep in mind when calling, and in which situations it should be used.

How the 112 emergency system works in Romania and in Bucharest

The 112 system operates nationwide under the Special Telecommunications Service (STS), which manages the National Single Emergency Call System (SNUAU) and answers all calls made to 112 from landlines or mobile phones — free of charge.

When you call 112:

• The call is free, whether you use a landline or a mobile phone.
• The operator will ask what happened, where the incident occurred, how many people are injured, etc., and will decide which emergency service to connect you to (police, ambulance, fire department, or another intervention).
• Since 2019–2020, Romania has implemented AML (Advanced Mobile Location) technology for compatible mobile phones — the system can automatically receive the caller’s coordinates, which speeds up localization in emergencies.
• In addition, there is the “Apel 112” mobile app, which can send GPS location and other useful data during the call.

The system is therefore designed to quickly handle calls, identify the caller’s location, and redirect the request to the appropriate emergency service — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When to call 112 — clear criteria and examples

It’s important to understand that 112 should only be used in real emergency situations, to avoid overloading the system and delaying responses for others.

You should call 112 when:

• A person is bleeding heavily or is unconscious.
• There’s a traffic accident with victims and/or major road blockage.
• There’s a fire in a building, house, or public space.
• Someone experiences severe health problems (e.g., heart attack, paralysis, respiratory failure).
• There’s violence, aggression, robbery, or people trapped and in danger (e.g., trapped in a vehicle, fall, drowning).
• A major infrastructure element is dangerous (e.g., fallen power lines, trees blocking the road, explosion).

You should NOT call 112 when:

• You have administrative questions (e.g., when restrictions are lifted, where to pay a tax).
• You want to report a minor issue that poses no danger to life, such as no hot water, a broken streetlight, or an illegally parked car.
• You only need non-urgent medical advice — in such cases, contact your doctor or a medical helpline.

Understanding these criteria helps keep the system efficient and reduces false or abusive calls. For example, in 2024, almost 40% of 112 calls did not require an immediate intervention.

What information you should provide when calling 112

When you decide to call 112, be prepared to answer a few essential questions — these details help the operator dispatch the right type of emergency service:

• Who is calling? State your name and your relationship to the incident (victim or witness).
• What happened? Briefly describe the emergency: accident, fire, medical collapse, etc.
• Where did it happen? Provide the complete address — county, district, street, and number if available. If you are in an unknown location or on a street without a number, describe nearby landmarks.
• When did it happen? If it’s happening right now, say it’s ongoing.
• Who or how many people are injured/involved? Specify if an ambulance is needed or if people are in danger.

Keep your phone line open until the operator tells you to hang up — additional questions may follow.
 These details — who, what, where, when, and how many — ensure a faster and more effective intervention.

You might also be interested in:

History of the „Grigore Alexandrescu” Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children: The First Children’s Hospital in Eastern Europe

Floreasca Hospital, the first emergency hospital built in Romania, where Nicolae Labiș dictated the poem “The Bird With The Ruby Beak” on his deathbed

Limitations, common problems, and what Bucharest residents should know

• Even with modern technology, false or abusive calls still occur, occupying operators and delaying real emergencies.
• Some users mistakenly think 112 can be used for non-urgent issues, which decreases system efficiency.
• The location technology is reliable but not perfect — if you’re inside a building without GPS signal or underground, provide as many location details as possible.
• If you’re in an unsafe area or facing aggression, stay on the line until the operator tells you to hang up — provide details and stay safe.
• The system covers Bucharest and Ilfov, but in peripheral or rural areas response times may vary — as a resident, it’s helpful to know the nearest emergency hospitals and routes to reach them.

The 112 emergency system in Bucharest acts as a vital safety line whenever your life, health, or security — or that of others — is at risk. Knowing when to call, what information to give, and avoiding non-urgent calls all contribute to keeping the system efficient and available for real emergencies. When in doubt, always prioritize safety — but call 112 only when it’s truly urgent.