Strasbourg

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Emergency Services

Sections

1. General Emergency Numbers in France

France has a centralized emergency system with specific numbers for different services. These numbers are free to call from any phone, including mobile phones without credit or a SIM card.

  • 112: The European Emergency Number (for all emergencies, including police, fire, and medical). This number works across the EU and connects you to the appropriate service based on your situation.
  • 15: SAMU (Emergency Medical Services)
  • 17: Police (for crimes, disturbances, or immediate threats)
  • 18: Fire Brigade (also handles rescue operations)
  • 114: Emergency SMS service for people with hearing or speech impairments (available in French).

2. Medical Emergencies

SAMU (Service d'Aide Médicale Urgente)

  • Number: 15
  • Purpose: For life-threatening medical emergencies, such as heart attacks, severe injuries, or unconsciousness.
  • Procedure:
    1. Call 15 and explain the situation (you can request an English-speaking operator, though French is preferred).
    2. Provide your location and describe the emergency.
    3. Follow the operator’s instructions while waiting for medical assistance.
  • Costs:
    • Emergency medical services are generally covered by French health insurance (Carte Vitale) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for EU citizens.
    • Non-EU visitors may need to pay upfront and claim reimbursement through travel insurance.
    • Ambulance services may cost between €100–€200 if not covered by insurance.

Hospitals in Strasbourg

  • Hôpital Civil (CHU de Strasbourg): The main public hospital with an emergency department.
    • Address: 1 Place de l’Hôpital, 67000 Strasbourg
    • Phone: +33 (0)3 88 11 67 68
  • Clinique Rhéna: A private hospital with emergency services.
    • Address: 10 Rue François Epailly, 67000 Strasbourg
    • Phone: +33 (0)3 90 67 39 00

Pharmacies

  • Pharmacies in France rotate on-call duty (pharmacie de garde) for emergencies outside regular hours. Look for a list of on-call pharmacies posted on the door of any pharmacy or call 3237 to find the nearest one.

3. Police Services

Police Nationale

  • Number: 17
  • Purpose: For reporting crimes, disturbances, or immediate threats to safety.
  • Procedure:
    1. Call 17 and explain the situation (you can request an English-speaking operator, though French is preferred).
    2. Provide your location and describe the incident.
    3. Follow instructions and wait for officers to arrive if necessary.
  • Local Police Stations in Strasbourg:
    • Commissariat Central de Strasbourg (Central Police Station)
      • Address: 34 Route de Vienne, 67000 Strasbourg
      • Phone: +33 (0)3 90 23 17 17
    • Police Municipale: Handles local issues like traffic violations and minor disturbances.
      • Address: 1 Parc de l'Étoile, 67000 Strasbourg
      • Phone: +33 (0)3 68 98 51 00

Tips:

  • Always carry identification (passport or residence permit) as police may request it.
  • For non-urgent matters, you can visit a police station in person.

4. Fire and Rescue Services

Sapeurs-Pompiers (Fire Brigade)

  • Number: 18
  • Purpose: For fires, accidents, and rescue operations (e.g., road accidents, floods, or people trapped in buildings).
  • Procedure:
    1. Call 18 and explain the situation.
    2. Provide your location and describe the emergency.
    3. Follow instructions and evacuate the area if necessary.
  • Costs:
    • Fire and rescue services are generally free for emergencies.
    • Non-emergency interventions (e.g., removing a wasp nest) may incur a fee.

5. Poison Control

  • Number: +33 (0)3 88 37 37 37 (Centre Antipoison et de Toxicovigilance de Strasbourg)
  • Purpose: For poisoning, chemical exposure, or ingestion of harmful substances.
  • Procedure:
    1. Call the poison control center and describe the substance involved.
    2. Provide details about the affected person (age, weight, symptoms).
    3. Follow the advice given by the operator.

6. Other Emergency Services

Gas and Electricity Emergencies

  • Gas Leak (GRDF): 0 800 47 33 33 (toll-free)
  • Electricity Outage (Enedis): 09 72 67 50 XX (replace XX with the department number, e.g., 67 for Bas-Rhin)

Lost or Stolen Documents

  • Passport: Contact your embassy or consulate immediately.
  • Credit Cards: Call your bank or the universal card-blocking service at +33 (0)892 705 705.

Emergency Accommodation

  • 115: For homeless individuals or those in need of emergency shelter.

7. Local Considerations and Tips

  • Language: While emergency operators may speak English, it’s helpful to know basic French phrases or have a translation app ready.
  • Cultural Sensitivity: Be polite and concise when speaking to emergency operators. Provide clear and accurate information.
  • Location Awareness: Familiarize yourself with your surroundings, including street names and landmarks, to provide accurate location details in an emergency.
  • Insurance: Ensure you have travel or health insurance that covers emergency services in France.
  • Emergency Apps: Download apps like "SAIP" (Système d’Alerte et d’Information des Populations) for real-time alerts about emergencies in France.

By keeping this information handy, you’ll be well-prepared to handle any emergency situation in Strasbourg. Stay safe!