Latvian dispatcher featured in #HumansOf112 campaign

This year, the organization is using the opportunity to highlight the work of all the people working in the emergency services chain, using the hashtag #HumansOf112.

Krista Zeltina is among those interviewed in a series of glimpses at the lives of those responding to emergency calls across Europe. 

Corporal Krista Zeltina is a Dispatcher at the Riga Region Call Center in Latvia.

“I’ve been working as a dispatcher at the 112 call centre in Riga for 6 years. I always wanted to work with people and to use my communication skills to help others," she says.

"Every life saved inspires me. My first shift supervisor was also inspiring. She taught me to be independent, to assess situations and make decisions quickly, and to communicate with colleagues and people in need. I have always taken my work very seriously, as human life depends on me and how fast and correct my actions are.

"On 21 November 2013, the roof of the Riga shopping center collapsed. 54 people and 3 firefighters tragically died there, and it was the deadliest incident since our independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The rescue mission finished on 25 November. Dispatchers, including myself, were working at the call center communicating with firefighters for 5 days. We took thousands of calls from desperate and scared people searching for their relatives. It was a very difficult time.

"The hardest thing about the job is feeling the pain and problems of other people. And these feelings and emotions have to be kept inside. I would like people to have more respect for people working in the emergency services and to know that I am just a person. I have my own interests, a child, a family and every day I put aside my own life and problems to listen to what the callers need. And I’m so pleased that I can help others and save lives.”

You can read more stories of Krista's colleagues across Europe at a dedicated #HumansOf112 page. 

And remember, you can use 112 in case of emergency free of charge, 24/7, anywhere in the EU. 112 is the emergency number in all 28 EU member states, as well as other European countries and elsewhere. People in danger can call 112 24/7 to reach the fire brigade, medical assistance and the police. The European emergency number is free and can be reached by landlines as well as mobiles.