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What to do in an emergency

 

Unlike the United Kingdom, you have a choice of numbers to phone depending on the emergency. There is however a single number, 112, which is used all over Europe that can be dialled free from any phone and the operator will then put you in contact with the appropriate service. Do remember that the operator may not speak any English, so it is useful to have a phrase book handy.

 

When you dial 112 an operator will put you in contact with the appropriate service. It should only be used for life threatening emergencies.

 

When calling any emergency number, you will be asked for the following information:

 

• Your location and the location of the incident if different.

• Your name and telephone number

• The nature of the emergency - fire, road traffic accident, crime
• How many people need assistance

 

Please note that all emergency numbers can be called from public pay phones, landlines and mobiles without the use of a phone card, money or even a SIM card.

 

Further information can be found on the SOS 112 information centre.

 

 

Medical Emergencies

 

Dial 15 free from landlines and pay phones.

 

This will put you in contact with the local SAMU (Service d'Aide Médicale d'Urgence).

 

Useful phrases

 

"A person is very ill and needs an ambulance.  The address is ................."

 

"Une personne est tres malade et a besoin d’une ambulance.  L’addresse est ....................”

 

 

Fire and Rescue Service

 

Dial 18 free from landlines and pay phones.

 

This will put you in contact with the local Pompier.  The Pompier can also be called if you require ambulance assistance.

 

Useful phrases

 

"There is a fire. Come quickly. The address is …………."

 

"Il y a un feu. Venez rapidement. L’addresse est ………."

 

 

Police

 

Dial 17 free from landlines and pay phones.

 

This will either put you in contact with the National Police (Police Nationale) or the local Gendarmerie.

 

The Police Nationale is the civil law enforcement agency of France who have jurisdiction over cities and large towns and are under the management of the Ministry of the Interior. They are responsible for security operations including patrols, traffic control, identity checks and conducting criminal enquiries.

 

The Gendarmerie is the national military police force and covers the smaller towns and rural areas.

 

For non urgent situations always contact the nearest Gendarmerie on their local number which you can find in the Pages Jaunes (Yellow Pages) under Gendarmerie National.

 

Useful phrases

 

"I need police assistance. It is urgent. The address is .................."

 

"J’ai besoin de l’assistance de police.  C’est urgent. L’addresse est ......................"

 

 

Maritime Rescue

 

Dial 1616 free from landlines and pay phones.

 

This will put you in contact with the volunteer lifesaving association which provides rescue at sea, as well as training of sea lifeguards and safety campaigns.

 

If you need emergency help whilst out at sea you can reach a CROSS centre on channel 16 on VHF radio.

 

 

Further Information

 

For further information on where to find help in France please visit Guide2Brittanys 'Guide to Help, Advice & Guidance in Brittany'.

 

 

Please leave any comments, suggestions or advice to fellow readers below.

 

 

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