A2English

Calling Emergency Services

Use these phrases to call for help and explain your emergency clearly.

Key Phrases

Voice
Operator answering · 2 ways to say it

911, what's your emergency?

neutral

US

Emergency, which service?

neutral

UK

Requesting an ambulance · 2 ways to say it

I need an ambulance, please.

polite

Help! Send an ambulance!

casual

Use this when you are panicking or in a rush

Requesting police

We need the police.

neutral
Requesting fire service · 2 ways to say it

I need the fire department.

neutral

US

I need the fire brigade.

neutral

UK

Giving location

I am at 10 Main Street.

neutral
Reporting what happened · 2 ways to say it

There is a bad car accident.

neutral

Two cars crashed.

casual
Operator instructions · 2 ways to say it

Please stay on the line.

polite

Don't hang up.

neutral

A direct instruction to keep the phone open

Practice Dialogue

Operator
911, what's your emergency?
Caller
Help! Send an ambulance!
Operator
Okay, what is your location?
Caller
I am at 10 Main Street. Two cars crashed.
Operator
Are the drivers okay?
Caller
No. A man is on the ground. He is not moving.
Operator
Okay. An ambulance is on the way. Please stay on the line.
Caller
Please hurry!
Operator
They will be there soon. Don't hang up.

More Emergencies & Safety (A2)

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