Orebro

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Emergency Services

Details about emergency contact numbers, police, fire services, and medical emergencies in Orebro.

Sections

1. Types of Emergency Services in ร–rebro

Sweden provides a unified emergency response system that covers the following services:

a. Medical Emergencies

  • Ambulance Services: For life-threatening medical emergencies, ambulances are dispatched to provide immediate care and transport to the nearest hospital.
  • Hospitals in ร–rebro: The main hospital is ร–rebro University Hospital (Universitetssjukhuset ร–rebro), which is a highly advanced facility offering emergency care.

b. Police Services

  • The police handle crimes, public safety, and traffic-related emergencies. They also assist in non-urgent situations like lost property or minor accidents.

c. Fire and Rescue Services

  • The fire department responds to fires, accidents, and hazardous material incidents. They also assist in rescue operations, such as traffic accidents or water-related emergencies.

d. Poison Control

  • The Swedish Poisons Information Centre (Giftinformationscentralen) provides advice on poisoning incidents.

e. Mental Health Crisis

  • For mental health emergencies, there are crisis hotlines and psychiatric emergency services available.

2. How to Contact Emergency Services

Sweden uses a single emergency number for all types of emergencies:

Emergency Number: 112

  • Dial 112 for immediate assistance from police, fire, ambulance, or other emergency services.
  • This number is free of charge and works 24/7.
  • Operators speak Swedish and English, and translation services are available for other languages.

Non-Emergency Numbers

  • Police (Non-Urgent Matters): 114 14
    • Use this number for reporting non-urgent crimes or seeking advice.
  • Healthcare Advice Line: 1177
    • For non-urgent medical advice, you can call 1177 Vรฅrdguiden (Healthcare Guide). Nurses provide guidance and can direct you to the appropriate care.
  • Poison Control: 010-456 6700
    • For advice on poisoning incidents.

3. Procedures to Follow in an Emergency

If you encounter an emergency in ร–rebro, follow these steps:

a. Medical Emergency

  1. Dial 112 and explain the situation. Be prepared to provide:
    • Your location (address or landmarks).
    • The nature of the emergency (e.g., injury, illness, unconscious person).
    • The condition of the person (e.g., breathing, conscious, bleeding).
  2. Follow the operatorโ€™s instructions. They may guide you on providing first aid until help arrives.
  3. Wait for the ambulance to arrive. Emergency responders are highly trained and will take over upon arrival.

b. Fire Emergency

  1. Dial 112 and report the fire.
  2. Evacuate the building immediately and assist others if it is safe to do so.
  3. Do not use elevators during a fire.
  4. Wait for the fire department to arrive and follow their instructions.

c. Crime or Safety Emergency

  1. Dial 112 and report the incident to the police.
  2. Provide as much detail as possible, including descriptions of people or vehicles involved.
  3. If it is safe, stay at the scene until the police arrive.

d. Poisoning

  1. Call 112 if the poisoning is life-threatening.
  2. For non-urgent cases, call the Poison Control Centre at 010-456 6700 for advice.
  3. Provide details about the substance ingested and the affected personโ€™s condition.

4. Costs Associated with Emergency Services

  • Ambulance Services: There is a fee for ambulance transport, typically around 400-1,000 SEK (approximately 35-90 USD). However, this is heavily subsidized by the Swedish healthcare system.
  • Hospital Care: Emergency visits to the hospital usually cost 400-500 SEK (35-45 USD) for residents and those covered by Swedish healthcare. Visitors from the EU/EEA with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are entitled to the same rates as Swedish residents. Non-EU visitors may need to pay the full cost unless covered by travel insurance.
  • Police and Fire Services: These services are free of charge.

5. Local Considerations and Cultural Aspects

a. Language

  • Most Swedes speak English fluently, so language barriers are minimal. Emergency operators and responders are trained to handle calls in English and can access interpreters for other languages.

b. Personal Identification

  • Always carry some form of identification, such as a passport or ID card. This can help emergency responders provide appropriate care and contact your family if needed.

c. Emergency Preparedness

  • Swedes are generally well-prepared for emergencies. Public buildings and transport systems often have clear emergency instructions in Swedish and English.
  • Fire alarms and extinguishers are common in residential and commercial buildings.

d. Mental Health Support

  • Mental health is taken seriously in Sweden. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can contact Mind Sjรคlvmordslinjen (Suicide Prevention Hotline) at 90101 or chat online at their website.

e. Respect for Emergency Services

  • Emergency services are highly respected in Sweden. Misusing the 112 number (e.g., prank calls) is illegal and can result in fines or other penalties.

6. Additional Tips for Visitors and Immigrants

  • Download the SOS Alarm App: The SOS Alarm app (available on iOS and Android) allows you to call 112 and share your location automatically with emergency services.
  • Learn Basic Swedish Phrases: While English is widely spoken, knowing a few Swedish phrases like "Hjรคlp!" (Help!) or "Jag behรถver en ambulans" (I need an ambulance) can be useful.
  • Travel Insurance: Ensure you have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, especially if you are a non-EU visitor.

7. Key Contacts Summary

| Service | Number | Notes | |--------------------------|----------|-----------------------------------------| | Emergency (All Services) | 112 | Free, 24/7, multilingual support. | | Police (Non-Urgent) | 114 14 | For reporting minor crimes or inquiries.| | Healthcare Advice Line | 1177 | Non-urgent medical advice. | | Poison Control | 010-456 6700 | Advice on poisoning incidents. | | Suicide Prevention Line | 90101 | Mental health crisis support. |

By understanding how to access and use emergency services in ร–rebro, you can feel confident and prepared during your stay. Swedenโ€™s emergency response system is reliable, efficient, and designed to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone, including visitors and immigrants.