Our work in raising children's awareness, so that they better understand what to do in an emergency, has been acknowledged by the Madrid Community. In the words of its President, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, this is because our song “has gone viral”, and because our students “have contributed to saving so many lives”. Thanks to the song, which was written by the Schools' Head Nurse in Secondary, to help the children in Infants and Primary remember the 112 Emergency Number, the School has become a “Champion” for the organisation. Each 11th of February, we celebrate 112 Europe Day, a date which was first set in 2009 with the aim of raising awareness about a single European Emergency Number, and to educate the public how best to use it. It also seeks to bring people closer to the Emergency Services, to help them understand the work of the professionals there and to highlight the importance of continually improving these services which are so helpful to people in their day to day lives.
Also at this most notable event, the Madrid Community handed out nine awards recognising a variety of persons and institutions for their work, using, publicising and raising awareness about this service. The event took place at the Real Casa de Correos, the headquarters of the Madrid Regional Government. Amongst these nine accolades was our own School and the song that was created which has been widely used by the 112 service in its web campaigns, on social media and in teaching institutions, raising awareness amongst children. These are now much more conscious of the tools available to them in times of danger.
Together with the British Council School, the Madrid Community has also recognised the “responsibility and maturity” of two 11 year old youngsters, who in dialing 112, saved the lives of some of their relatives. Awards were also presented to Jesús Peinado, civil protection officer in Torrelodones for his close collaboration with 112; Raúl Martín Sánchez, for his knowledge and broadcasting expertise in adverse weather conditions; Fernando Bravo Álvarez, for his 40 year service with the Altitude Rescue Team; the journalist, Inmaculada Galván, for her close media links with the 112 service; the Pozuelo Town Hall, for instigating awareness campaigns and their close collaboration with the service; and finally, to Leonor Asuán, the first supervisor at 112 when it was first set up in 1998, for her exceptional work there.