How to call emergency services in France: 15, 17, 18, 112, 114

In an emergency, knowing how to alert the rescue services is just as important as providing first aid. Which number should you call? What should you say on the phone so that help arrives quickly with the right resources? This guide explains how to make an effective emergency call to SAMU (15), the fire brigade (18), the police (17) or 112.

Who should you call?

In France, there are several main emergency numbers, each corresponding to different services: SAMU (emergency medical services), fire brigade, law enforcement, and sea rescue. These services are available 24/7.

SAMU (15)		SAMU handles urgent medical emergencies.
FIRE BRIGADE (18)		The fire brigade should be called for non-medical emergencies, such as road accidents, fires, etc.
LAW ENFORCEMENT (17)		Call 17 when the situation involves a threat to public order. The 17 connects you to the Gendarmerie or the National Police.
EUROPE-WIDE (112)		112 is the single European emergency number. You can call it for any emergency when travelling in the European Union and most other European countries. In France, you will be connected to either SAMU or the fire brigade, depending on the département.
DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING (114)		The 114 allows deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing and aphasic people to access emergency services via the "Urgence 114" app, the website urgence114.fr, or by SMS. The platform offers video calls in French Sign Language (LSF), chat and image sharing. It can also be used when you cannot speak aloud due to the proximity of an attacker.
AT SEA (196)		The 196 connects you to the regional operational centre for surveillance and rescue (CROSS) to report a distress situation at sea. This number should be used from land; at sea, VHF radio channel 16 remains the preferred method.

What if I call the wrong number?

Don’t worry. Emergency services are interconnected and work closely together. Your alert will be passed on to the appropriate service.

Also, remember that you should never hesitate to call. If you’re unsure whether the situation warrants calling emergency services, call anyway. The operator will know what to do.

How to call?

Emergency numbers should preferably be called from a mobile phone. Alternatively, you can call from a landline.

On motorways and some major roads, you can use the orange emergency call boxes located along the roadside, usually every 2 kilometres. In certain locations (such as the metro), there are intercoms to alert security services.

What should you say to emergency services?

Your emergency message should be as precise as possible. Remember that the emergency services have absolutely no idea what is happening near you. The resources sent will depend on what you tell them.

To be understood clearly, speak calmly and clearly. Here is what you should say, preferably in this order:

• Identify yourself.
  • Give your name and the phone number you are calling from. This will allow emergency services to call you back, for example if they have trouble finding the location.

• Explain where you are and how to access the scene.
  • Give the exact address of your location. Don’t forget the town or city name. If you’re at someone’s home, specify how to gain access (door number, floor, intercom code if there is one at the entrance, etc.)

• Describe the nature of the emergency.
  • Explain whether it’s a domestic accident, road accident, someone feeling unwell in public, a sick person at home, etc. Describe precisely what happened.

• Specify the number of casualties and their apparent condition.
• Describe what you can see, if possible:
  • the number of casualties
  • their approximate sex and age
  • their apparent condition (speaking, bleeding, sweating, breathing, etc.) Don’t use medical terms unless you’re a healthcare professional — just describe what you see
  • their position: standing, sitting, lying face down, lying on their back, lying on their side, etc.
  • any first aid you or bystanders have already performed

• Mention any ongoing hazards.
  • For example, risk of collapse, fire, explosion, collision, etc.

• Don’t hang up first.
  • Wait for instructions from the emergency services.

Practice emergency messages...

What NOT to say

A car hit a cyclist at Place de la République. Come quickly!

What TO say

Hello, is this 18? My name is Marc Dupont, I’m calling from 06 56 75 56 77. I’m at Place de la République in Talence. I’ve just witnessed a collision between a car and a bicycle. The cyclist is injured. He’s a boy, about 10 years old. He’s lying on the road, not speaking and not moving. Someone has placed him on his side. Bystanders are slowing down traffic. What should I do?

What NOT to say

My grandfather isn’t feeling well. I live at 15 rue des Remparts in Strasbourg. Can you come?

What TO say

Hello, is this 15? My name is Marc Dupont, I’m calling from 06 88 60 99 99. I live at 15 rue des Remparts in Strasbourg, 4th floor, apartment 412. To enter the building, the intercom code is 1362A. My grandfather is 74 years old. For the past few minutes, he has been weak, sweating and pale. He has chest pain. What should I do?

What NOT to say

We’re at the municipal football field in Saint-Ouen. There’s a player on the pitch who probably has a fracture. He needs to go to hospital!

What TO say

Hello, is this 18? My name is Marc Dupont, I’m calling from 06 34 20 00 00. I’m calling from the municipal football field in Saint-Ouen, on rue du Général Leclerc. A man aged about 45 has injured himself while playing. He’s complaining of severe pain in his thigh and has a large bruise. He cannot stand up. He’s pale and seems very anxious. What should I do?

What is 112?

112 is the single emergency number used in most European countries. In France, calls to 112 are free. When you dial 112, your call is automatically routed to one of the emergency services in your département — either SAMU or the fire brigade. The 112 number is primarily intended for foreigners visiting France, or for French citizens abroad. Within France, it is therefore recommended to dial 15, 17 or 18 depending on the situation.

Learn more: see our 112 guide.

When should you call the poison control centre?

The poison control and toxicovigilance centre (CAPTV) [1] can advise you 24/7 in case of poisoning, for example from ingesting household products. The CAPTV doctor will tell you what to do while waiting for emergency services.

Overseas territories: calls from Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana are handled by the Paris centre. Those from Réunion and Mayotte are handled by the Marseille centre.

What is the role of first aid volunteers?

You may sometimes encounter volunteers from organisations such as the French Red Cross or Protection Civile at sports events or large gatherings. They are there as a precaution and can respond effectively if a problem arises. Don’t hesitate to approach them if they are present at the scene of an accident you witness.

Learn more: see the first aid organisations websites.