Embassy of the United States

Citizen Services

Emergency services telephone numbers

Emergency services telephone numbers — all emergency numbers are listed in the front of all telephone directories.

Description of French Medical Emergency Services

If an emergency medical situation arises which you feel requires immediate medical assistance, the following information will be helpful.

* POMPIERS (Fire Brigade Department): dial 18. The pompiers may send one of their own ambulances or they may alert the S.A.M.U. (Services d'aide medicale urgente), or SOS Medecins. They arrive on the scene faster and can provide basic life support. If a patient’s condition is unclear or appears critical, a car with specially trained firemen is usually sent ahead to administer first aid.

** In France, the S.A.M.U. is the national emergency organization. It has a 24-hour service and gives medical assistance for all medical emergencies. Its ambulances are manned by teams of trained personnel, and are equipped with emergency equipment for any cardiac or respiratory resuscitation. To reach the S.A.M.U, simply dial 15 or; 01 45 67 50 50.

The S.A.M.U. should be called for life-threatening conditions that require the assistance of trained medical professionals. These include: cardiac or respiratory emergencies (chest pain and/or shortness of breath), severe bleeding, severe asthma, stroke, and trauma resulting in multiple injuries.

Be brief and concise when speaking with the S.A.M.U. and give the precise address or location (if at home or in another building, please indicate the floor and the door code if any), your phone number, the caller and victim's names, the age of the victim and a description of his medical condition.

You may be transfered directly to an English-speaking specialist in the emergency services who will identify the type of emergency based upon the information you give (he/she may decide to refer your call to another ambulance service, i.e. SOS Médecins, in the case of a less critical emergency).

A family member or bystander who is aware of the situation may escort the emergency medical team if needed.

SOS Médecins is a private company for less critical medical emergencies and house calls. They can be reached at 01 47 07 77 77.