05/11/2025
Here's a quick reminder of which numbers to call in the event of an emergency.
18 - French Fire Brigade (Sapeurs Pompiers)
Call 18 for situations requiring rapid interventions/rescue, such as:
Fire/extreme burns
Gas leak
Risk of collapse/burial
Electrocution
Road accident
The French Fire Brigade are able to coordinate all emergency services and have trained paramedics. In rural France, they are often very swift to respond.
15 - SAMU (Service d'Aide Médicale Urgente)
Call the SAMU for a response to critical health and medical situations, which may include:
Urgent medical emergencies
Coma
Haemorrhage
Severe chest pain
Breathing difficulties or when someone has stopped breathing
Extreme burns
Poisoning
112 - European Emergency Number
Operators responding to this number will often be able to communicate with you in English, although this is not guaranteed. They can offer assistance and redirect your call to the appropriate emergency service where necessary.
17 - Police
Dial 17 to report a crime that requires an immediate police response, such as:
Violence/Assault
Burglary
Snatching/Pickpocketing/Mugging
114 - European Emergency Number - hard of hearing or difficulty speaking
If you have difficulty speaking or hearing you can connect the emergency services by text using the number 114.
If you or someone you know would benefit from accessing the emergency services in this way you can download the application 'Urgences 114" or register on the website www.urgences114.fr
196 - Coastguard (Savetage en mer)
Call 196 to reach the French coastguard (centre opérationnel de surveillance et de sauvetage en mer - CROSS), as either a witness to or victim of:
Distress or emergency at sea
Missing persons
Anything observed at sea that seems abnormal
I hope this information helps you feel more ready to contact the emergency services in France should you ever need to.
