The 112 Emergency Call Center, which operates on a 24/7 basis to respond to emergencies, is increasingly being burdened by false alarms and unnecessary calls. The center works in coordination with various units including the police, health services, gendarmerie, fire department, and disaster management agency to ensure that emergency teams can respond to incidents as quickly as possible. However, in the past three months, 58.42% of the calls received by the Edirne 112 Emergency Call Center did not result in an actual emergency.
Some of the calls received by the center include prank calls such as individuals jokingly reporting “many dead bodies” near a cemetery. In addition, there have been cases where individuals have called 112 to request that their spouses or partners be followed. Call center personnel have also encountered situations where people unable to reach their significant others have made reports to have them located. Others have even called 112 to place food orders, with one person reportedly calling to order “2 döner kebabs and 2 ayran drinks.” Furthermore, there have been calls from individuals seeking to contact actor Rıza Soylu, known for his role as ‘Rıza Baba’ in the television series Arka Sokaklar.
Call center staff have also had to deal with calls from individuals requesting an ambulance for their sick animals. Additionally, they have received calls from people whose phones were not working, seeking assistance with repairs and wondering about the process involved. Despite these non-emergency calls, the 112 Emergency Call Center in Edirne enforces a fine of 1980 lira for individuals making false alarms and unnecessary calls.
The Edirne 112 Emergency Call Center Director, İsmail Öztuna, emphasized the importance of only contacting the center in true emergencies, urging the public to refrain from making unnecessary calls. He highlighted that individuals making false reports can face a fine of 1980 lira as an administrative penalty. By addressing this issue, the call center aims to ensure that resources are available for genuine emergencies and that their staff can effectively respond to critical situations. Despite the challenges posed by non-emergency calls, the 112 Emergency Call Center continues to serve the community with dedication and professionalism around the clock.
