copyright: OBK
Emergency & Quick Help
112 is the Europe-wide emergency number for the fire department and emergency services.
Learn when to call emergency services, what information is essential, and how to act quickly and correctly in case of an emergency.
This page was translated from German using artificial intelligence. The translation may contain errors or inaccuracies. In case of doubt, the German original version prevails.
Emergency rules to remember
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Stay calm.
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Dial 112.
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Report the location of the emergency.
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Briefly describe what happened.
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Wait for follow-up questions.
When should I call the emergency number?
When should I call the emergency number?
You should call the emergency number in urgent situations.
These include, for example:
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severe injuries
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sudden, severe illnesses
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fires
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accidents involving injuries
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or situations where people are in immediate danger.
Even in cases of suspected fire, such as when a smoke detector alarms and no one responds, calling the emergency number 112 is the appropriate action.
What information is important?
What information is important?
The fire and rescue control center asks targeted questions to ensure the right help is dispatched immediately.
The dispatchers guide you through the entire conversation and, in special cases, stay on the phone with you until emergency personnel arrive at the scene.
How should I behave on the phone?
How should I behave on the phone?
Speak calmly, slowly, and clearly. Stay with the affected person or at the scene of the incident as much as possible so that you can answer questions and implement further instructions.
Do not put yourself in danger!
Hang up only when the fire and rescue control center explicitly ends the call. Often, you will receive important immediate instructions over the phone, such as providing first aid or securing the accident site.
What to do in case of cardiac arrest?
The fire and rescue control center will guide you by phone on how to perform chest compressions.
Automated external defibrillators (AED) can often be found in public facilities or at frequently visited places. A defibrillator can end heart rhythm disturbances through targeted electric shocks. The device guides the user through the necessary steps with an "electronic voice."
What happens during an emergency call?
What happens during an emergency call?
Once the fire and rescue control center has enough information, it alerts the appropriate emergency responders.
Depending on the situation, this could include the emergency medical services, fire department, relief organizations, or even district and municipal specialists and other authorities.
Help, therefore, begins not only on-site but also during the phone call itself. During this time, decisions are made regarding the urgency and the appropriate emergency responders and additional resources.
Blackout: Telephone and mobile networks fail
Blackout: Telephone and mobile networks fail
In the Oberbergischer Kreis, buildings have been designated to serve as contact points for the population during crisis situations the so-called emergency information points.
The emergency information points are activated after the failure of mobile and landline networks due to a prolonged power outage.
A distress call can be made here.
Emergency Info Points110
Police Emergency Number
112
Fire and Rescue Emergency Number
116 117
On-call Medical Service
02261 19222
Medical Transport
116 117
On-call Medical Service
Not every medical issue is an emergency for calling 112. For less urgent problems that are not life-threatening, the on-call medical service is often the more appropriate contact.
The 116117 is the nationwide standard phone number for the on-call medical service of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians. It helps with health complaints that require medical attention but are not emergencies.
The service is particularly available outside regular office hours of doctor's practices and provides medical assistance or directs you to the appropriate facility.
Medical Transport
02261 19222
For medically necessary transports – such as for patients who are immobile, bedridden, or infectious – the qualified medical transport service of the Oberberg District is available.
nora Emergency App
With the official nora emergency app, you can quickly and directly reach the police, fire department, and rescue services – even without speaking.
The app also automatically transmits your location to the responsible control center, making it especially helpful for people with hearing or speech impairments, as well as in situations where a voice call is not possible.
