Why should I alert emergency services?
It is crucial to warn emergency services quickly and efficiently, to help them send appropriate means to handle the situation without delay.
It is crucial to warn emergency services quickly and efficiently, to help them send appropriate means to handle the situation without delay.
As soon as you have taken action to eliminate immediate risk to your life and to avoid additional incidents, you should contact emergency services.
This means, for instance, that you have placed road markers in case of a road accident, cut the power in case of electrocution, etc.
Medical emergency services for serious medical situations
Firemen for first aid
The police for disturbances in public order
If you are in a European country, the emergency number is 112
By using your cell phone (in most countries, emergency numbers can be dialed without entering the PIN code)
By using a landline phone
By using a phone booth (emergency numbers are usually available without charge)
First of all, keep calm. Keep in mind that your interlocutors do not know the situation and need precise information to take appropriate measures.
Give your first name and surname, as well as the phone number from which you are calling. It will help emergency services call you back if needed (if the line is cut, if they have trouble localising the incident, etc.) and ensure that it is not a prank call.
Indicate whether you are dealing with a road accident, a fire, a collapse, a wound, a trauma, etc.
Give as many details as possible to enable rescue teams to come as soon as possible: city, street, number, entry code, floor, door number, etc.
Indicate how many victims there are, their approximate age and their gender. Point out whether the victims are conscious, whether they are bleeding, if they are in pain; also indicate whether they are standing, sitting or laying down (on the stomach, back or side).
Indicate if first aid has been given as well as any security measures taken.
Warn emergency services of any risk of fire, explosion or collision linked to the incident.
Unless instructed otherwise, do not hang up. Stay in contact with emergency services to receive their instructions and warn them of any changes in the situation.
Hang up only if your interlocutor asks you so.
