An accident, discomfort or imminent danger… In these situations, calling for help is a reflex for the majority of French people. However, for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind or aphasic, this approach may prove impossible. In France, a specific service exists to respond to this reality: 114. On the occasion of National Hearing Day, this emergency system reminds us of its importance. Around 7 million deaf or hard of hearing people live in France and can count on this unique number to quickly contact the emergency services.
114, an emergency service dedicated to deaf and hard of hearing people
114 is a national emergency service which allows people who have difficulty hearing or speaking to alert emergency services without making a traditional telephone call.
When an emergency occurs, the person can contact this center by different digital means, in particular via the Emergency 114 application. The service agents immediately analyze the situation and transmit the information to the competent department. Depending on the nature of the intervention, the alert is redirected to the SAMU, the police, the gendarmerie, the fire brigade or even emergency accommodation services.
This organization helps avoid any waste of time. Once the alert is received, the teams initiate the intervention chain using several tools, including geolocation and real-time exchanges with the victim.
Permanent collaboration with SAMU, police and firefighters
The operation of 114 is based on close cooperation with the various emergency services. The call center agents are trained in French Sign Language and provide an essential interface between the victim and the intervention teams.
Innovative tools reinforce this system. This is the case of the MC-Assist program, designed by the Calvados firefighters in collaboration with the CNR114. This system allows field teams to communicate more easily with a deaf victim thanks to pictograms and videos in French Sign Language.
The Urgence 114 application, a key tool for quickly alerting emergency services
The Urgence 114 application plays a central role in this system. It allows you to communicate in writing or by video with emergency center agents, while automatically transmitting useful information to emergency services.
Thanks to this direct communication channel, operators can quickly understand the situation, locate the victim and mobilize the appropriate emergency service.
On the occasion of National Hearing Day, this organization recalls how the accessibility of emergency services remains essential to guarantee rapid and effective care for all victims.