On a 911 call nobody is grading your English. Say what happened, say where you are,
and stay on the phone. Half of this sheet is what you say. The other half is what the
operator will say to you. Tap 🔊 to hear it. Pick your language below, then tap 🌐 on any card.
Two short sentences save a life: what happened, and where you are.
You do not need anything longer than that.
The numbers
911for police, fire, and ambulance988for a mental health crisis
Both are free from any phone, 24 hours a day. If you think it is an emergency, call.
1
There is .
Learn this one first. It reports almost anything.
Put these in the blank
a firea car accidenta flooda gas leaka robbery
A person is different: for a person you say Someone is hurt, card 5.
You say
You start the conversation.
2
I need a Spanish speaker, please.
Say this early. They will add an interpreter.
your languagea Haitian Creole speakera French speakera Persian speaker
3
My address is .
Say your own address. Say it twice.
more waysI am at 444 Main Street.I am on the corner of Main and Union.
4
I am in Middletown, New York.
The city, then the state
5
Someone is hurt.
Two words are enough to start
more waysMy son is hurt.My wife is hurt.
6
He is not breathing.
Say this and they will hurry
more waysShe is not breathing.He cannot breathe.
7
She is choking.
Food or water in the throat
more waysHe is choking.The baby is choking.
8
I think he is having a heart attack.
Chest pain, and he cannot breathe
9
I fell and I broke my leg.
Change the body part
more waysI broke my arm.I broke my hand.She fell down the stairs.
10
The house next door is on fire.
Not your house? Say whose.
more waysThere is a lot of smoke.It is two houses from here.
11
Please send an ambulance.
Ask for what you need
more waysPlease send the police.Please send the fire department.
12
I do not know.
It is fine to say this. Do not hang up.
You will hear
The operator says this to you. You only need to understand it.
13
911. What is your emergency?
The first thing you will hear
14
What is your location?
Where are you? Give the address.
alsoWhere are you?Can you confirm your location?
15
Are you in a safe place?
You answer: Yes, I am. / No, I am not.
16
Is anyone with you?
You answer: Yes. / No, I am alone.
17
Is he breathing?
You answer: Yes, he is. / No, he is not.
18
Stay on the line. Do not hang up.
Keep the phone at your ear
19
Help is on the way.
They are coming. Wait.
alsoAn ambulance is on the way.
If there is an emergency: the short commands
Call 911Stay calmGet out of the buildingDo not move himDo not hang upWait outside
These start with the verb and no subject. That is how English gives an instruction, and it is the same grammar as Simon says touch your nose.
Not an emergency? At the doctor's office
a headachea cougha backachean earachea sore throata broken leg
You say I have a headache. The doctor asks Do you have a headache?
Listen carefully: your address is numbers and letters, and the operator may ask you to spell
the street name. The hard ones are B / V G / J 13 / 30 15 / 50.
Practice on the Alphabet Card and the Numbers Card.
🔊 On a phone or computer, tap a phrase to hear it and tap 🌐 for your language. On paper, start with the two numbers at the top.