The Army is changing to a single emergency phone number to help streamline emergency services in Europe.

The service plans to change its emergency number to 112 – the European version of 911 – at Army installations across the Continent starting Jan. 1, according to Installation Management Command-Europe.

The switch will align the Army with the European Union and U.S. Air Force installations in Europe, Carol Fontanese, IMCOM-Europe’s safety officer, said in an Army press release.

“Whether you are on post or off post using a commercial telephone, or the Defense Switched Network, dialing 112 will connect you with emergency services personnel,” said Fontanese.

Dialing 112 from DSN phones will reach on-post emergency services. Dialing 112 from commercial lines will continue to connect with host nation emergency services.

The single emergency number will replace the separate fire, medical and law enforcement numbers used at Army installations in Europe. Some garrisons might continue to use two numbers if their dispatch operations cannot be integrated, according to IMCOM.

The old emergency numbers will remain operational after the transition.

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