Emergency Numbers in Germany

Knowing how to reach emergency services could save a life. Germany uses different emergency numbers than the US, and understanding the system before an emergency happens is critical.

The Numbers to Know

112 — Feuerwehr (Fire) & Rettungsdienst (Ambulance) — This is the universal European emergency number for fire and medical emergencies. It works in ALL EU countries. Call 112 for fires, medical emergencies, car accidents with injuries, and any life-threatening situation.
110 — Polizei (Police) — For crimes in progress, accidents, and police emergencies.
116 117 — Aerztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst (On-Call Doctor) — For non-emergency medical issues outside normal office hours (evenings, weekends, holidays). A doctor will be dispatched or you'll be directed to a nearby practice.

Military Emergency Numbers

Military Police (Ramstein) — DSN 480-2050 / Commercial +49 6371-47-2050
Military Police (Vogelweh/KL) — DSN 489-7070 / Commercial +49 631-536-7070
LRMC Emergency Room — DSN 590-5762 / Commercial +49 6371-9464-5762
Ramstein Command Post — DSN 480-2121

What Happens When You Call 112

The dispatcher (Leitstelle) will ask five key questions — the same protocol used across Germany:

Wo? (Where?) — Your exact location. Street name and house number, or nearest landmark. GPS coordinates help if you are on a highway or in a rural area.
Was? (What?) — What happened? Fire, medical emergency, car accident, etc.
Wie viele? (How many?) — How many people are injured or affected?
Welche Verletzungen? (What injuries?) — Describe the injuries or symptoms.
Warten! (Wait!) — Wait for further questions. Do not hang up until the dispatcher says you can.

Language Tip: German 112 dispatchers in the KMC area are accustomed to English-speaking callers. Speak slowly and clearly in English if you cannot communicate in German. The critical information is your location and the nature of the emergency.

German Emergency Response

Ambulance (Rettungswagen)

German ambulances are staffed by highly trained paramedics (Rettungssanitaeter) and emergency physicians (Notarzt). For serious emergencies, a Notarzt (emergency doctor) responds in a separate vehicle alongside the ambulance — this means you get a doctor at the scene, which is uncommon in the US system.

Fire Department (Feuerwehr)

German fire departments respond to fires, car accidents, hazmat incidents, technical rescues, and major medical emergencies. Many German firefighters are volunteers (Freiwillige Feuerwehr), especially in smaller communities, but they are well-trained and well-equipped.

Hospitals (Krankenhaeuser)

The nearest major German hospital to the KMC is the Westpfalz-Klinikum in Kaiserslautern. LRMC is your military hospital option. In a true emergency, go to whichever facility is closest.

Roadside Emergencies

Breakdown — Pull completely off the road. Turn on hazard flashers. Put on your reflective vest (Warnweste — required by law to be in every vehicle). Place the warning triangle (Warndreieck) 100-200 meters behind your vehicle. Call ADAC (Germany's AAA equivalent) at +49 222-222 or your insurance roadside assistance.
Accident on the Autobahn — Move to safety behind the guardrail if possible. Call 112 for injuries. For non-injury accidents, call 110 (police). Use the orange emergency phones (SOS Notruf) on the Autobahn if your phone has no signal — small arrows on the guardrail posts point toward the nearest phone.

Poison Control

If a child or adult has ingested something potentially toxic:

German Poison Control — Giftnotruf: +49 6131-19240 (Mainz center, 24/7). Covers the Rheinland-Pfalz region.
Have the product container available to read the ingredients to the counselor.
For serious symptoms, call 112 immediately.

Non-Emergency Resources

Pharmacy Emergency (Apotheken-Notdienst) — One pharmacy in each area is designated for after-hours service on a rotating basis. Find the current one at apothekenfinder.mobi or check the posting on any closed pharmacy's door.
Dental Emergency — Call the Zahnaerztlicher Notdienst (dental emergency service) at 01805-065-262 for after-hours dental emergencies.
Mental Health Crisis — Military OneSource: 1-800-342-9647 (from US phone) or +49 0800-1800-5342 (from German phone). Available 24/7. Also: Telefonseelsorge (German crisis line): 0800-111-0111 or 0800-111-0222 (free, 24/7).

Prepare Now

Save 112, 110, and all military emergency numbers in your phone.
Teach your children how to call 112 and state their name and address in both English and basic German.
Keep a laminated card in your wallet with your address in German, blood type, allergies, and emergency contacts.
Know your German address by heart — your Strasse (street), Hausnummer (house number), Ort (town), and PLZ (postal code).
Ensure your vehicle has the required emergency equipment: Warnweste (reflective vest), Warndreieck (warning triangle), and first-aid kit (Verbandskasten).

No one wants to deal with an emergency, but being prepared makes all the difference. Take 10 minutes today to save these numbers, review the procedures, and brief your family. You will be glad you did.

Notdienste in Deutschland: 112, 110 und was du wissen musst