It can be more difficult to communicate using SMS/Text messages than on a voice call. In order to get help as quickly as possible, try to include the information that the Emergency Services will need in your first message.
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- What Emergency Service you need – Garda, Ambulance, Fire, or Coast Guard.
- Your name
- Your location – describe as accurately as possible, use an Eircode if you have it, street address (including town and county), landmarks (e.g. on the north side of the bridge) etc.
- The nature of the emergency – e.g. person injured, or unwell. burglary, building or property on fire etc.
The Emergency Operator will respond to your text and contact the Emergency Services on your behalf. You can send further information in additional texts.
Remember that this is an Emergency Service and should only be used in an emergency situation such as when:
- Life is at risk.
- Crime/trouble is taking place.
- Someone is injured or threatened.
- Person committing a crime is nearby.
- There is a fire or people are trapped.
- You need an ambulance urgently.
- Someone is in trouble, or missing, at sea.
- Someone is in trouble on the cliffs or on the shoreline.
As it can be more difficult or take more time to get your message across in an SMS/Text message and the Emergency Services may need some more relevant details, especially your likely location – you are encouraged to make this information available to the Emergency Services by filling in the form here to submit additional information which may help the Emergency Service get help to you quickly.
Note. This information will be stored securely by the Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS) for the purposes of helping you in an emergency. It will be shared with the Emergency Service you request only if and when you request help using the Emergency SMS/Text Service. It will not be shared with any other parties or used for any other purposes.
If you need help submitting additional information or have questions, please contact us here.