The cost of calling 112

(CS) In an emergency situation the first instinct is to place a 112 call, but also in non-emergency cases many call the fire brigade, not knowing that this can come at a price.

Commander of Hesperange “Service d'Incendie et de Sauvetage” Jean Stein told wort.lu/en that the main purpose of the fire brigade and emergency services dates back to Napoleonic times. A 19th Century law states that the mayor of a town is responsible for keeping his citizens safe.

Over the years, however, the fire brigade has become a helper for many other tasks - from rescuing cats from trees to removing wasp nests and opening doors when someone locked themselves out - so much so that bigger communes in Luxembourg started charging for non-emergency services.

But prices are not just made up willy-nilly. Emergency services need to submit a proposal for prices to the commune's council, which in turn passes it on to the Interior Ministry for final approval. While costs differ between communes, fees are largely similar and lists of prices and services offered are available at each municipality.

In Luxembourg City for example, opening a door will cost 125 euros, while the removal of a wasp nest comes at a price of 120 euros, the same as in Hesperange. Having your door opened in Hesperange, meanwhile, costs 150 euros.

For other operations there is no flat fee, but an hourly rate for staff and equipment is calculated. For example, a fire fighter in Luxembourg City costs 37 euros per hour, a rescue vehicle meanwhile is 90 euros per hour.

The fees, Stein added, are not meant to deter people from calling 112, with the fire brigade the first port of call in many scenarios. But, calling a locksmith to unlock a door or calling an exterminator to get rid of those wasps may just end up being a cheaper alternative.

Stein warned, however, not to use the 112 operator as a phone book. While it is up to the dispatcher to finally decide whether an incident requires emergency services, they are not allowed to hand out phone numbers of private companies. With a simple online search, the right contact should be easily found, he added.

Raising a false alarm, meanwhile, will cost callers dear. If found out, a fine of up to 750 euros can be levied.