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For emergency help in floods and storms. phone
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For emergency help in floods and storms. phone
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000 is a free NATIONAL emergency hotline service to contact the Police, Ambulance or Fire Services in case of urgent time critical, life threatening situations or other emergencies.
Note: If you are using a cellular telephone, the Emergency Operator may also ask where you are calling from.
You will be connected to the Communication Centre of the service that you request. These centres are staffed 24 hours a day with highly trained and skilled Emergency Operators, who will ask relevant questions, and arrange an appropriate response from the closest units, or from other services (e.g. Police, Ambulance or Fire Service).
The NSW Fire Brigades is the answer point for all fire related and hazardous materials spillage incidents in New South Wales, including calls for the NSW Rural Fire Service.
Note: In New South Wales, the Fire Brigades do not provide an emergency MEDICAL service. If you require help of this nature you must contact 000 and ask for the Ambulance.
It is not necessary to make multiple calls if you require several services as the first emergency service you speak to has direct links with the other services and will pass the information on to the other emergency services that may be required.
- that are actually occurring at the time of the call.
- where offenders are still on the scene
- that involve violence (eg. domestic violence, assault and rob, brawl)
- where a crime has just occurred (eg. disturbing offenders breaking into a house).
- when a person fears for their safety or the safety of others.
Emergency calls are also free on all mobile phones. Many newer digital phones may require the user to dial 112, the international standard emergency number, especially if the simcard has become dislodged or misplaced. Consult your carrier if you are uncertain how to access the 000 emergency network.
The Emergency Operator will ask you for your mobile number so they can reach you if they require more information, so make sure you learn your number off by heart.
Callers must be specific and patient.
- * The NATURE of the emergency e.g. house fire, bush fire, car accident, hazardous material spillage, medical emergency etc.
- * LOCATION of the incident. This should include a house or flat number, street name and the name of the town, suburb or city.
- * You may also be asked the name of the nearest cross street or distinguishing landmark. The nearest cross street is the nearest intersecting street. Many people confuse it with the nearest main road, or give any street nearby that they can think of.
- * If there are any people trapped or injured.
The Emergency Operator will ask a series of questions relevant to the incident. Different incidents require different questions. The Emergency Operator will ask them in a particular order and arrange the response accordingly.
Interpreter services are available in many community languages. This free, confidential service is offered 24 hours a day.
All information given to Emergency Operators is treated in the strictest confidence. Your name will be kept confidential or you can remain anonymous.
When you call 000, the telephone number and address from where you are calling may be given automatically to the emergency service so they can respond more quickly.
People who rely on either a TTY (teletypewriter) or a computer modem to access the telephone network are able to access the emergency services by calling the National Relay Service which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Dial FREECALL 1800 067 167 and ask for a call to 000. This service is not available to people who do not rely on text based communication.
For routine matters, and for non-emergency calls, contact the local station of the relevant emergency service. DO NOT use 000 for non-emergency calls.
24 hour emergency numbers can be found inside the front cover of the Residential or the Business & Government sections of the White Pages Telephone Directory.
'000' is for EMERGENCY use only.
This guide to the 'Use of 000' is compiled from the Guides provided by the NSW Police Force and the NSW Fire Brigades.
