When we are calling on 112?
When the situation requires URGENT intervention  of the emergency services (fire brigade, police, emergency, civil protection) and a team have to be sent at the accident.

How to report a sygnal on phone 112?

1. As soon as you have contact with the operator on 112  you have to specify the village, city or town you are calling from. If you are not in village, city or town, you have to describe its geographical location by landmarks – roud, river, mountain etc.

2. Formulate briefly the reason for your call – whether it concerns medical incident or another – flood, fire, etc.

3. Listen carefully the questions of the operator and succinctly respond to them. If necessary, wait to be connected with the service – ambulance, police, fire and more. It is important to be known that this communication with an operator lasts between 1 to 3 min.  During the conversation the most accurate information have to be provided about wthe  intsident.

I have two children who were 4 and 7 years old when I applied for a job in the 112 Emergency line in Bulgaria. While I was passing all phases of the recruitment I worried and was sure I will not be approved for this position. I thought that my children are too small and it will be the cause for my rejection. I was not sure whether I am suitable for the job. I did not know if I’m good enough. I was worried because I did not know the system and what is the responsibility to work as an operator in 112 Emergency line. I was afraid because I knew that lives depend on the seconds in which you are judging and evaluating the severity of the situation. The lives of someone’s mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and children depend on how quickly you are processing the signal. The lives who are depending on your judgment and professionalism. Today, nine years later, I am thankful to my husband, who saw the ad and gave me the courage by telling me that I will handle it. Today, I am thankful to my work as operator in 112 Emergency line, because I realized that life is much more valuable than I thought, and I contribute each day so many lives to be saved.

“I was born in a village which lies on the Border. I grew up seeing every day the Border fence and people on the other side. My grandfather told me stories about  the Borders. He told me everything about my country, culture, values. He told me a long time ago we were one nation and lived together. He showed me maps and put me to sleep with tales about the Border. I did not understand it, but I knew he was right. I did not fully understand why I had not to went to the other side, but I respected his instruction. Few years later my grandfather became ill and shortly before he died he said “The border is not to get you away from others, but to put you closer to your own people. By keeping the border, you are keeping your family, community, country. Keep your borders and respect the foreign ones.”  This was not only the time I realized what the Border is,  but the moment I chose to keep it.  That was the moment  I decided to become a border policeman.
Today and each single day I go to work, knowing  what “Neither step back, behind us is Bulgaria” exactly means.

“I am a father and teach my son to be proud of and respect not only me as a police officer, but to respect the all people in uniforms. I teach him to respect not only the police, firefighters and rescuers, but also doctors, teachers, lawyers, judges, welders, drivers in public transport and all people, because we are part of a common society and a country – Bulgaria, and whether we honor and respect the work ot all these people depends  in what country  we will live in. ”

“I am a mother and my daughter is very proud that I’m a police woman. She knows that I look out not only for her safety and security, but also for her friends in kindergarten. What she doesn’t known is that I am dreaming for the day when the  system will be changed and it will not be so bureaucratic.  She doesn’t know I am dreaming of the day when not only my family but all citizens will be proud of their police. I believe that day will come. ”

A few months ago I was out playing basketball with my children when the ball rolled into the street. I went to it, but suddenly the laugh of my children disappeared and they froze. They saw two patrol cars on the corner. The vehicles turned and were moving slowly towards our house. Then my 7 year old son turned to me and asked: “Mom, is everything with Dad, ok?”. My heart also flinched at the sight of a patrol car, but it was not as painful as watching the tears in the eyes of my son. And then I realized that my children have their own concerns about the profession of my husband. While the cars were coming slowly, I felt how time stopped. Things changed when one of the officers smiled and waved his hand to the children. Children ran up to me and shook heavily waist. I hugged and kissed them while I was ensuring them their dad is ok and we could call him, just to hear his voice.
Then I thought that while we are recognizing those who are working in law enforcement structures as heroes and are proud of them, there is a small population of characters whose voice is often not heard. These little characters are children in the communities the police.
If you ask, any child of an employee in law enforcement structures, it will tell you that mom or dad is the biggest hero. They know that in this work, bad gays are trapped and their mom or dad make the world a better place.
You’ll see these children to play policemen with their water guns. They are the ones with the good and courageous mom and dad and are proud to have them as parents, but the little heroes are worrying about them.
I found that my children are worried not only about the safety of their parents, but for all who are working in the system. They see many of them as best friends’ parent or theirs’ mom or dad best friend.
Our children face many prejudices. Several times I have seen my son came home upset by another child who as soon as understood his father is a police officer, said that all police officers are bad. Too many times I’ve been out with them when I have seen parents who treat their children with the police officers.
Unfortunately, most children are terrified of the police, but there is no child of a police officer who can understand it, because they see them as a defender not as treat. They see him/her as someone who helps. They see her/his as their mother or father.

It’s good to know our children. They are the ones who make sacrifices in Christmas mornings in which their father or mother is missing due to work. They are the ones whose birthday parties, school plays and recitals have been missed from mom or dad, because they were at work.
Make sure you thank them for their sacrifice and you will found time to listen, because you can learn a lot from them.
Your children also have duty and it is daily. They struggle with prejudice, overcome worries about you, convince people that you’re the best, support friends whose parents are also police officers and the only thing they want is to be well and to back home after works safe and secure.

Photo: TUFEMI

His name is  Stoyan and he lives in Konstantinovo.
The flood on 16 May 2016 found him with a shopping bag and on the way back home.
He saw that it’s raining, but has not suspected that water can flood the village, and he had never heard anything about flooding.
He understood that something is happening, because of people’s cries. He turned and saw people who are pointing  point down to the ravine where there are many houses. He ran and while  he was approaching the turbulent water, he saw in his eyes  dozens of pictures and memories passed. He remembered Asparukhovo, all dead people, weeping mothers, drowned animals, but mostly he remembered the heavy combat with the water and the moments of frustration. He prayed the water is not so dangerous. He prayed to be able to help.

Down almost to the ravine he saw the grandmother Dimka. She did not shout for help. She was standing on a small island, watched people who gathered on the other side of the water and quietly sobbing. Huddled and bent double, she watched how the water was absorbing everything.

He knew it was a matter of minutes before the water to drag also her.

In this moment, Stoyan tied around his waist one of the ropes that men right next to him were holding and walked through the water. He dragged, but he knew and had experience in dealing with the water. He looked ahead, walked bravely and  looked grandmother’s Dimka in her eyes. He was not counting steps and not thinking about the risks, but hurry because he knew that the water swells within seconds and  the life of the woman depended on how quickly he will reach her. When he went to the island and caught it, she closed her eyes, said nothing and gripped his hand with indescribable force. She dropped it when she was in a safe place –  away from the water.

Today Dimka is cleaning her house while Stoyan is at work. Stoyan is a firefighter, but on 16 May 2016 he had day off.  He knows that he is a firefighter and you must carry it in your heart and your blood.  He knows that being a firefighter is a calling and to save people’s life is a duty… a duty witout working time!