About emergencies and 111
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This information is for Deaf and hearing impaired people using the emergency 111 TXT service.
Introduction
Emergencies are stressful. Knowing when to contact 111 and why you will be asked a lot of questions will help you feel more confident and in control if you are ever faced with one.
When to text 111
111 is the number for emergencies. That's when something serious is happening and you need help right now.
Remember - Unlike the dedicated 111 telephone system, 111 text messages are sometimes subject to delays on the mobile phone network, which means texts don't get through straight away or at all. If this happens and you don't get a text back from us within 2 minutes of sending your first text, you should contact 111 a different way.
Watch video
Anything which could cause loss of life, serious injury or loss of property is a Fire Service emergency. Situations where you should text 111 immediately include:
- A fire in your house. Get out - stay out.
- You notice a burning smell in your house but you're not sure where it's coming from.
- You see or smell what looks like a house fire in a neighbouring property.
- You see a car crash, car fire or people trapped.
- You notice a gas leak from a broken pipe. Move away from the leak to where there is no smell.
- You or your property are in serious danger from storm damage.
Medical emergencies when you should text 111 are when:
- Someone has difficulty breathing.
- Someone has chest pain. This can feel like a ‘weight’ or a ‘squeezing feeling’ in your chest.
- Someone fainting or being unconscious.
- Someone may have had a stroke. They may have suddenly gone weak, their vision has changed, they are dizzy or have difficulty talking.
- Someone has severe pain anywhere.
- Someone has bleeding that won’t stop.
- There’s been a car crash and people are injured.
Examples of medical non-emergencies are:
- Generally being unwell - unless you have some of the symptoms listed above.
- Minor injuries like sprains or small cuts - provided they’re not bleeding uncontrollably.
- Minor burns – burns that are smaller than twice the size of your hand.
- Coughs or colds.
If you need to report something that's not a medical emergency, you should see your doctor.
What is a Police emergency?
Watch video
Police emergencies when you should text 111 are when any of these things are happening now or have just happened:
- someone is badly injured or in danger, for example there's been a car crash and people are hurt
- there’s a serious risk to life or property, like when a fight breaks out in the street
- a crime is happening and the person who did it is still there or has just left, for example when someone is in your neighbour's garden and you see them break into the house
- something has happened that could be dangerous, like trees blocking a road.
If you need to report something that's not urgent, you should visit your nearest police station.
Examples of non-emergencies are when you find out today that your bike was stolen yesterday or someone put graffiti on your fence last night.
If you're not sure
If you're not sure if it's an emergency, text 111 and ask. We'll help you work out what to do.
Presented by: Senior Station Officer Quin Webster, NZ Fire Service
Filmed by: NZ Police Video Unit
Presented by: Helen Skinner, St John Events Volunteer
Filmed by: NZ Police Video Unit
Presented by: Constable Debi Leahy, NZ Police
Filmed by: NZ Police Video Unit
