Calling Emergency Services
Use these phrases when you need to contact emergency services in France to report an accident, fire, or crime.
Key Phrases
Je vous appelle parce qu'il y a un accident grave sur la route nationale.
I am calling you because there is a serious accident on the national road.
💡 Use this to immediately state the reason for your emergency call.
Il faut que vous envoyiez une ambulance rapidement car une personne est blessée.
You need to send an ambulance quickly because a person is injured.
💡 Expresses urgency using the subjunctive form 'envoyiez'.
J'ai besoin de la police parce qu'un homme a volé mon sac et s'est enfui.
I need the police because a man stole my bag and ran away.
💡 Useful for reporting thefts or crimes where immediate police presence is needed.
Un incendie vient de se déclarer dans le bâtiment qui se trouve en face.
A fire has just started in the building that is located opposite.
💡 Uses the relative pronoun 'qui' to describe the location of a fire.
Je me situe actuellement à l'adresse que je vais vous lire tout de suite.
I am currently located at the address that I am going to read to you right away.
💡 Helps the operator identify your exact location using 'que'.
Pouvez-vous me dire s'il est nécessaire que je reste en ligne avec vous ?
Can you tell me if it is necessary that I stay on the line with you?
💡 Asks if you should remain on the phone, using the subjunctive 'reste'.
Je ne pense pas qu'il y ait d'autres blessés, mais la situation est confuse.
I don't think there are other casualties, but the situation is confusing.
💡 Uses the subjunctive 'y ait' to describe an uncertain situation.
Les pompiers doivent intervenir le plus vite possible pour éteindre ce grand feu.
The firefighters must intervene as quickly as possible to put out this big fire.
💡 Requests fire services using the superlative 'le plus vite possible'.