Call 995 in Singapore for a fire, rescue or life-threatening medical emergency. Call 999 for immediate police assistance. Give your location early, describe what you can see and follow the operator’s instructions. SCDF emergency services · Singapore Police Force contacts
Police emergency SMS 70999 is for situations where it is unsafe to call 999 or you are unable to speak. SCDF emergency SMS 70995 is designed for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech impairment who need emergency fire or ambulance assistance. The two services have different purposes. Police SMS guidance · SCDF SMS guidance
- Fire, rescue or life-threatening medical emergency → 995.
- Immediate police assistance → 999. Police emergency SMS when a call is unsafe or you cannot speak → 70999.
- For non-emergency medical advice, MOH lists NurseFirst 6262 6262. MOH says 1777 ceases from 1 January 2027. MOH announcement
On this page · Which Number Fits the Situation? · Give a Location the Responder Can Find · Using Emergency SMS · Non-Emergency Care and Private Ambulance Transport · Practical Scenarios for Parents and Students · Frequently Asked Questions
Which Number Fits the Situation?
Choose based on the help needed at the scene. A person who suddenly becomes unresponsive needs emergency medical help. Someone facing an immediate threat from another person needs police assistance. Smoke and fire requiring an emergency response belong with SCDF.
Some incidents need more than one agency. If someone is injured during an ongoing threat, tell the operator about both the danger and the injury. Give the location of the threat if you know it. The fact that another service may also be needed is a reason to describe the scene clearly.
When 995 is the right call
SCDF lists loss of consciousness, breathlessness, major trauma, stroke and excessive bleeding among examples of emergencies. A description such as “They collapsed and do not respond when I speak to them” gives the operator more to work with than “Something is wrong.” Follow their questions and directions. SCDF emergency medical guidance
When 999 is the right call
If you need immediate police assistance, call 999 when safe. Explain whether the threat is happening now, where it is and whether anyone appears injured. The police contact page lists separate channels for enquiries or information that does not require an immediate response. Police contact directory
Give a Location the Responder Can Find
A postal code helps identify a block, but it may leave open which lift lobby, staircase or car park entrance leads to you. Give what you know. In a condo, name the development and tower. In a mall, give the mall, level and shop landmark. In a school, name the campus, block and accessible gate if you know it. In an MRT station, use the station name, platform or exit number.
A call you can practise at home
“I’m at [block and street], [unit or level]. A person has collapsed near the lift lobby. They are not responding when I speak to them. I’m next to them.” Practise by reading the words aloud with a family member. Use a written prompt or pretend phone so the drill never reaches a live emergency line.
- If you are somewhere unfamiliar, read a building sign, street sign or shop name from where you are safe.
- If you are calling on someone else’s behalf, say where the incident is and where you are. The two addresses can differ.
- If another person can safely meet responders at the entrance, tell the operator. Keep someone available to follow directions at the scene.
If you can only remember three things in a stressful moment, use place, problem and people. Where is it? What is happening? Who is affected or still at risk? Give facts first. The operator can ask for more detail.
Using Emergency SMS
Police SMS 70999
Use a short text that gives the emergency and location. For example, “Person threatening people with a weapon near [mall, level, shop]. I’m hiding in [location] and cannot safely speak.” SPF says it sends an acknowledgement once its emergency operator receives the message and may ask follow-up questions. If it is safe to speak, SPF advises calling 999. SPF instructions for emergency SMS
SCDF SMS 70995
SCDF specifies that this service is intended for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech impairment. Include the help required, such as fire engine or ambulance, the incident location and what is happening. A family can help an eligible member prepare a draft address in advance for quick editing. SCDF instructions for emergency SMS
One household card can list both numbers, but spell out the service beside each. Two almost identical numbers become harder to distinguish when someone is in a rush. A line that says “Police emergency SMS” carries more meaning than a row of digits.
Non-Emergency Care and Private Ambulance Transport
An advice line and a transport service do different jobs. MOH lists NurseFirst at 6262 6262 for advice on non-emergency conditions. A private ambulance can be booked for planned non-emergency medical transport, such as a scheduled transfer where the patient needs assistance that a normal vehicle cannot provide. Confirm the provider’s equipment, crew arrangements, collection point and charges directly before booking. MOH care and transport pathways · MOH private ambulance directory
Update any card that lists 1777
The 1777 referral line for non-emergency ambulance transport ends from 1 January 2027. Keep 995 clearly labelled as the emergency number. Replace the old non-emergency referral entry with the MOH directory link where it makes sense for your household. Check printed copies on the fridge, in a caregiver’s room and in the family contact list. MOH’s dated announcement
If a situation becomes life-threatening while you are arranging a scheduled journey or waiting for advice, call 995. Tell the dispatcher what changed and where the patient is.
Practical Scenarios for Parents and Students
A grandparent collapses at home
One person calls 995 and follows the operator’s instructions. If a second person is available, they can help identify the correct lobby or meet responders when safe. The caller should explain any change in the person’s condition. If you later choose to practise first aid, use a recognised training provider such as the Singapore Red Cross. SCDF emergency guidance · Singapore Red Cross training
A student sees someone being threatened after CCA
The student moves away from danger and alerts police when safe. The location could be the bus stop number, a gate or the name of a nearby shop. A description of what happened is more useful than a guess about who the people are. For an attack involving weapons, read the official SGSecure guidance for Run, Hide, Tell. SGSecure advice
A family member calls from another location
If someone tells you there is a fire where they are and you make the emergency call, give their location first. If you do not know their unit number, tell the operator what you do know and where the information came from. A saved address can make a difference when relatives live apart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I forget the unit number?
Give the location details you know. The block and level, a building name, a road junction or a visible landmark are useful starting points. Tell the operator if you cannot confirm something.
Should I call my parents first?
If there is a serious emergency, get emergency help first when you can do so safely. A parent or trusted adult can be informed once the emergency call has been made or by another person who can help.
Can I report an emergency through a family or school group chat?
Use the emergency service when urgent help is required. A private chat can help a family co-ordinate after that. Share what is confirmed and avoid forwarding footage that reveals the identities or locations of people at risk.
Is 1777 the same as 995?
995 is the emergency service. 1777 was set up for non-emergency ambulance referrals and ceases from 1 January 2027. MOH announcement
Continue With the Singapore Emergency Playbook
- HDB Fire in Singapore | What to Do If Your Flat, Corridor or Block Is on Fire
- School Emergency in Singapore | What Parents and Students Should Do About Pickup, Alerts and the Journey Home
- SG Alert and Sirens in Singapore | What They Mean and How Families Can Prepare
Official guidance checked 8 November 2026. During an incident, follow the current directions of emergency responders and the organisation responsible for your location.