Immediate action is required i.e. a crime is happening or has just taken place
Offenders are nearby
When you call 999, an operator will ask you which emergency service you need:
Ambulance
Fire & Rescue Service
Police
You can also contact the emergency services using 112, the single emergency number for the European Union.
You will need to have the following information available when you call 999:
The location of where you are, including the address, area or postcode
The phone number you are calling from
Exactly what has happened – when, where, how & who is involved
Which emergency service you need
Remember: remain calm, speak slowly and clearly and if possible try to spell any unusual sounding road names.
If a Medical Emergency you will be asked to give further information, including:
The patient’s age, gender and any medical history
Whether the patient is awake/conscious, breathing and if there is any serious bleeding or chest pain
Details of the injury and how it happened
Answering these questions will not delay the ambulance, but it will help them give you important first aid advice while they are on their way.
The extra information also helps to make sure you get the most appropriate help.
Before help arrives, you can help by doing the following:
Ensure someone stays with the patient until help arrives
If appropriate, the controller will give you advice on how to help the patient or casualty until the ambulance arrives
Call back if the patient’s condition changes
Call again if your location changes
Ask someone to open the any gates or doors and signal where the ambulance staff are needed
If you can, write down the patient’s GP details and collect any medication that they are taking
Establish if the patient has any allergies
If it's dark outside turn on lights to help the ambulance to find you quickly
If a Fire & Rescue emergency, the controller will ask you a number of important questions:
What is the full address? (It is at this stage that fire engines may be mobilised)
What is on fire?
Is there anybody trapped?
Are there any nearby landmarks?
What telephone number are you dialling from?
You may be asked for your name and address
Do not attempt to extinguish a fire unless it is safe to do so
Leave the property, closing all the doors behind you and do not go back in to the property until you are told it is safe to do so by the fire fighters who attend
For non-urgent calls to the Police, ring 101. Using 999 for general enquiries may delay response to someone who needs urgent assistance.