Calling emergency services (110/112)

Calling Emergency Services in Germany – A Guide for English Learners

My name is John Doe, and I want to help you learn how to call the emergency services in Germany. It’s really important to know how to do this, and it can be a life-saver. We have two main numbers you’ll need to remember: 110 and 112.

What do these numbers do?

Both 110 and 112 connect you to the police, fire department, or ambulance. They are for serious situations where someone needs immediate help.

112 – The General Emergency Number

Think of 112 as the number to call first if you’re not sure exactly what kind of help you need. It’s the most common number to use.

Example: “Ich brauche Hilfe! Ich bin im Krankenhaus und es geht mir schlecht.” (I need help! I’m in the hospital and I feel unwell.)

112 connects you to the service best equipped to handle your situation. They will ask you questions to figure out what’s wrong and send the appropriate help.

110 – The Police

You use 110 specifically for police-related emergencies. This includes crimes, traffic accidents involving serious injury, or situations where there’s a threat to public safety.

Example: “Die Polizei! Ein Mann schlägt eine Frau in der Straße!” (The police! A man is assaulting a woman in the street!)

Important Information to Give When You Call

No matter which number you use, you need to give clear information. Here’s what you should say:

1. Your Location: This is the most important thing! The dispatcher needs to know exactly where you are.

Example: “Ich bin in der Müllerstraße 12, 80331 München.” (I am at Müllerstraße 12, 80331 Munich.) You can use street names, house numbers, and landmarks.

2. What Happened: Briefly explain the situation.

Example: “Ein Auto ist in einen Baum gefallen.” (A car has fallen into a tree.)

3. Your Name and Phone Number: They need to be able to contact you back.

Example: “Mein Name ist Mary Carry und meine Telefonnummer ist 01234-567890.” (My name is Mary Carry and my phone number is 01234-567890.)

Practical Usage – Let’s Practice!

Let’s say you are at work, and a colleague has fallen and hurt their leg.

You: “112! Ich brauche sofort Hilfe! Mein Kollege ist am Fuß verletzt in der Büroräume.” (112! I need immediate help! My colleague has injured their leg in the office area.)
Dispatcher: “Wo genau sind Sie?” (Where exactly are you?)
You: “Ich bin im Bürogebäude, Raum 305.” (I am in the building, room 305.)

Important Note: Don’t hang up until the operator tells you to! They might need to ask you more questions or provide instructions.

I hope this helps you understand how to call emergency services in Germany. It’s a valuable skill to have.

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