Call 995 for a fire, life-threatening medical emergency or urgent rescue in Singapore. Call 999 when immediate Police assistance is required. The Police emergency SMS number is now 70999 when speaking is unsafe or impossible. SCDF emergency SMS 70995 caters to people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or have a speech impairment. These numbers have different purposes; using the correct one can save precious time.
Important 2027 update: The 1777 non-emergency ambulance referral hotline remains available in November 2026, but will cease on 1 January 2027. MOH and SCDF have confirmed this change. From that date, use the private ambulance operators listed at go.gov.sg/pao for non-emergency medical transport. For non-emergency healthcare advice, NurseFirst is available on 6262 6262. SCDF’s 995 emergency service is not affected.
Quick actions: In an urgent emergency, call the correct hotline, give an exact location and callback number, describe what you observe and follow the operator’s instructions. If safe, arrange for someone to show responders the entrance, lift and unit. For ordinary symptoms without life-threatening signs, consider a GP, polyclinic or NurseFirst. This chapter teaches the words, dates and choices that connect the numbers to real action.
Singapore emergency numbers at the top of your checklist
| Number | For what situation? | Special instructions |
|---|---|---|
| 995 | Fire, emergency ambulance and urgent SCDF rescue | Use for immediate danger to life or serious fire |
| 999 | Police emergency | Call when immediate police help is needed |
| 70999 | Police emergency SMS | Only when unsafe or unable to speak |
| 70995 | SCDF emergency SMS | For DHS community emergency needs |
| 1777 | Non-emergency ambulance referral | Ends on 1 January 2027 |
| 6262 6262 | NurseFirst non-emergency care advice | Not for immediately dangerous symptoms |
| 1800 255 0000 | Police non-emergency hotline | Not a replacement for 999 |
| 1799 | ScamShield helpline | Anti-scam help, not a fire/ambulance service |
57 Singapore emergency vocabulary terms
Learn what the word means and what it changes. ‘Dispatcher’ tells you who can send help; ‘triage’ explains why an emergency ambulance is not automatically dispatched to every caller; and ‘non-emergency conveyance’ refers to a transport requirement rather than a life-threatening medical problem.
| Term | Meaning | Practical action |
|---|---|---|
| 995 | SCDF emergency ambulance, fire and rescue | Call for life-threatening emergency or fire |
| 999 | Police emergency | Call for an urgent threat, crime or security danger |
| 1777 | Non-emergency ambulance hotline | Operates in November 2026; ceases 1 Jan 2027 |
| 6262 6262 | NurseFirst telephone service | Guides non-emergency patients on care options |
| 70999 | Police emergency SMS | When it is unsafe to speak or speech is impossible |
| 70995 | SCDF emergency SMS | For deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech-impaired people |
| 71999 | Old Police emergency SMS code | Replaced by 70999 in October 2024 |
| SCDF | Singapore Civil Defence Force | Emergency medical, firefighting and rescue services |
| SPF | Singapore Police Force | Law enforcement and public safety |
| MOH | Ministry of Health | Health service policy and guidance |
| NurseFirst | Nurse-led care advice hotline | Not a substitute for 995 during emergencies |
| Emergency | Immediate danger to life or safety | Requires prompt correct response |
| Non-emergency | No immediate life-threatening risk | May use GP, urgent care or appropriate transport |
| EMS | Emergency Medical Services | SCDF medical response for genuine emergencies |
| Private Ambulance Operator | Provider for non-emergency patient transport | Refer to go.gov.sg/pao after 1777 ceases |
| Triage | Assessment of urgency by trained staff | Determines appropriate ambulance/medical pathway |
| Dispatch | Sending a response crew | Needs location and incident details |
| Call taker | Person answering an emergency call | Follow instructions and answer questions |
| Caller | Person reporting the emergency | Provide callback phone and observations |
| Exact address | Detailed location of an incident | Include unit, building and postal code |
| Postal code | Six-digit Singapore area identifier | Can help responders locate address |
| Unit number | Floor and unit within a building | Important in multi-storey residential blocks |
| Landmark | Recognisable location feature | Helpful outdoors without street address |
| Lamp-post number | Unique roadside feature | Can improve locating emergency |
| Bus-stop code | Identifier of a public bus stop | May locate incident when nearby |
| Incident description | Factual account of what is happening | Avoid guessed diagnoses |
| Patient symptoms | Observable signs of a medical condition | Tell operator what you see |
| Unconsciousness | Person not responding normally | Potential life-threatening emergency |
| Severe breathlessness | Serious trouble breathing | Requires urgent evaluation |
| Chest pain | Pain or pressure in chest | Severe/sudden cases can be medical emergencies |
| Major bleeding | Heavy uncontrolled blood loss | Call promptly and follow operator |
| Cardiac arrest | Heart stops pumping effectively | Immediate emergency response, CPR and AED matter |
| CPR | Cardiopulmonary resuscitation | Follow training or dispatcher guidance |
| AED | Automated External Defibrillator | Device used in appropriate cardiac arrest |
| myResponder | SCDF community response app | Helps call or locate community aid |
| First responder | Person giving initial help | Maintain scene safety |
| Fire alarm | Fire or smoke warning signal | Follow evacuation and fire safety directions |
| Evacuation | Leaving a dangerous area | Move to safety when appropriate |
| Assembly point | Safe location for people to gather | Assists emergency accountability |
| Smoke inhalation | Breathing harmful smoke or gases | Can require urgent assistance |
| Police crime report | Formal record of offence | Not always appropriate during an active emergency |
| Crime in progress | Offence happening now | Use 999 when safe |
| Unsafe to speak | Talking may expose a person to risk | Use Police SMS 70999 |
| SMS acknowledgement | Message showing request was received | Follow up when operator asks |
| Police Hotline | Non-emergency police enquiries | 1800 255 0000 |
| I-Witness | Online crime information reporting | Not for time-critical rescue |
| Police@SG | Official police smartphone app | Supported non-emergency services |
| ScamShield | Scam help and checking service | 1799 is separate from 999 |
| Non-emergency conveyance | Patient transport without emergency ambulance | Private operators have their own fees |
| GP | General practitioner | Appropriate for many ordinary illnesses |
| Polyclinic | Public primary care clinic | Non-emergency care subject to opening hours |
| Urgent Care Centre | Centre for certain urgent non-life-threatening problems | Not equivalent to life-saving 995 response |
| A&E / ED | Hospital emergency department | Assesses serious conditions and emergencies |
| Non-emergency SCDF conveyance charge | Published fee for non-emergency hospital transport by SCDF | S$274 under current SCDF guidance |
| Helpline cessation | A phone number stops being a service | 1777 closes 1 January 2027 |
| Effective date | When a rule or service change takes effect | Check printed guide’s date |
| Emergency medical advice | Instructions from dispatcher or trained nurse | Different urgency depending on context |
How to decide whether to call 995
SCDF’s emergency medical service is for conditions where a person is seriously ill or injured and may need urgent intervention. A person suddenly unresponsive, struggling severely to breathe, with serious chest pain or major bleeding may need 995. So does a situation involving spreading fire or a serious rescue hazard. If in doubt about an apparently life-threatening situation, contact emergency dispatch rather than postponing a call to complete a website checklist.
The operator will ask factual questions about where the incident is happening, the person’s alertness and breathing and how symptoms started. The caller does not have to diagnose a heart attack or stroke. Describe what you see, what the person reports, when it began and any changes. This makes the information useful without pretending to be a healthcare professional.
What to say on the emergency call
- Give your name and a telephone number the operator can call back.
- Provide street name, building/block number, floor/unit number and postcode if known.
- If outdoors, mention the nearest bus stop, lamp-post number, park gate, entrance or landmark.
- Describe the emergency in one concise sentence and provide visible symptoms.
- Answer the trained call taker’s follow-up questions truthfully.
- Do not hang up until the operator tells you it is appropriate.
- Where safe, ask somebody to meet the crew and show them the shortest entrance.
- Call 995 again if the patient’s condition becomes significantly worse.
Emergency ambulance versus non-emergency transport
An emergency ambulance has a role in managing a potentially life-threatening situation, while a private non-emergency ambulance operator can provide planned or assisted conveyance for a person who does not need SCDF emergency response. For example, a medically stable patient needing arranged transport to a routine hospital appointment may be suited to a private provider. A person found unconscious is not in the same category.
SCDF currently describes a S$274 charge for a non-emergency case it transports to a hospital following its emergency response. That does not mean people should hesitate to seek emergency help when there is genuine danger; call 995 promptly and accurately when the symptoms warrant it. The decision whether the case was an emergency depends on clinical assessment.
The date that matters: 1777 ends on 1 January 2027
| Date | Non-emergency ambulance options | Medical emergency |
|---|---|---|
| November–December 2026 | 1777 and eligible private operators; check fees | 995 |
| From 1 January 2027 | Private ambulance operators listed at go.gov.sg/pao; 1777 is closed | 995, unchanged |
| Non-emergency health advice | NurseFirst 6262 6262, suitable primary care | Call 995 if condition becomes life-threatening |
MOH announced the closure on 1 July 2026. An older clinic poster or family emergency card may still list 1777 after the service has stopped. A person should update that information before 2027 rather than assume all published government numbers stay valid indefinitely. The replacement is not a new single non-emergency ambulance telephone number; it is the published private ambulance directory.
What NurseFirst does and does not do
NurseFirst is a nurse-led advice service for non-emergency problems. Trained nurses may guide a caller toward a GP, teleconsultation, another appropriate clinic or service. They are not a substitute for an emergency dispatcher. Severe chest pain, collapse, dangerous breathing trouble or other rapidly worsening symptoms require immediate emergency response rather than waiting for routine phone advice.
The word triage means sorting by urgency. A person with a mild cough and no breathing difficulty may be able to use primary care. Another person with a severe breathing problem may need 995. Both may need medical advice, but the urgency and safe response are very different.
Police: 999, 70999 and ordinary information channels
If a crime is being committed, someone is threatened or immediate Police action is required, call 999 where it is safe to speak. For an unsafe situation in which talking could expose your location, Police SMS 70999 provides an emergency text option. It requires a concise description of the danger and its location. The service sends an acknowledgement when the message is received and may ask for more information.
Police changed the previous emergency SMS number 71999 to 70999 from 1 October 2024. Do not rely on outdated stickers or internet illustrations. For non-emergency information and ordinary reporting, the Police Hotline, Police@SG or I-Witness may be appropriate. A crime-information report is not the same thing as sending an urgent emergency request.
SCDF emergency SMS 70995 is a different accessibility service
SCDF’s 70995 SMS service specifically caters to people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or have a speech impairment, allowing them to contact SCDF for fire or medical emergencies. It is not the general SMS equivalent of 995 for every member of the public. Police SMS 70999 has its own criteria when voice communication would be unsafe or is impossible. Learn both numbers and their separate audiences.
Emergency information and safe first actions
| Emergency | Call | What to do while help is arranged |
|---|---|---|
| Person unresponsive | 995 | Follow call taker’s directions; get an AED/CPR help if instructed |
| Fire or dangerous smoke | 995 | Move to a safe place and avoid entering smoke-filled areas |
| Violence in progress | 999 or 70999 if unsafe to speak | Protect yourself and give a precise location |
| Mild non-emergency illness | NurseFirst or appropriate GP/polyclinic | Explain symptoms and follow care advice |
| Scheduled assisted medical transport | Private operator; 1777 only until end 2026 | Arrange suitable transport and check fees |
Always keep your own safety in view. Do not enter a dangerous building simply to take photographs, and do not move a seriously injured person unnecessarily unless remaining in place creates immediate danger. Dispatchers can guide appropriate actions. Bystanders should keep entrances open for responders and avoid obstructing an ambulance, fire engine or police crew.
Common misunderstandings corrected
| Mistake | Correction |
|---|---|
| Use 1777 throughout 2027 | 1777 is discontinued from 1 January 2027 |
| Use NurseFirst for an unconscious person | Call 995 for life-threatening emergencies |
| Use Police SMS 71999 | Use 70999, the updated number |
| Text 70995 for any ordinary medical query | 70995 is a dedicated SCDF accessible emergency SMS service |
| Call Police 999 to ask about office opening times | Use the non-emergency police website or hotline |
| Describe a guessed diagnosis instead of what happened | Describe observed signs, timing and exact location |
| Assume non-emergency ambulance conveyance is free | Ask the private operator about fees |
| Wait for a relative to make a decision during a spreading fire | Evacuate safely and contact 995 |
Frequently asked Singapore emergency number questions
What is Singapore’s emergency ambulance number?
995, managed by the Singapore Civil Defence Force for life-threatening medical emergencies.
What is the Police emergency telephone number?
999 for immediate police assistance.
Will 1777 work in 2027?
No. MOH and SCDF announced its cessation from 1 January 2027. Refer to go.gov.sg/pao for non-emergency private ambulance operators.
What is the number for NurseFirst?
6262 6262, for non-emergency health advice and care navigation.
Can I text Police in an emergency?
Yes, use 70999 if it is unsafe to make a voice call or you cannot speak. Include the nature of the emergency and location.
What is emergency SMS 70995?
The SCDF’s emergency SMS line for eligible people with hearing or speech impairments.
Is 71999 still the Police emergency SMS?
No. The number changed from 71999 to 70999 on 1 October 2024.
What should I tell 995?
The exact location, callback number, and relevant observations such as responsiveness, breathing and incident details.
Does SCDF charge if the case is not an emergency?
SCDF says a S$274 non-emergency conveyance charge may apply under the published rules.
Should a mild cough go to an emergency ambulance?
Usually a GP, polyclinic, teleconsultation or NurseFirst is more suitable when symptoms are clearly non-emergency. Seek 995 if severe symptoms emerge.
Four practice scenarios for families and schools
| Scenario | Best answer | Vocabulary lesson |
|---|---|---|
| A person collapses and stops responding | 995 | Emergency medical services |
| An unsafe situation prevents a caller speaking to police | SMS 70999 | Emergency accessibility/silence |
| An older adult needs arranged transport in February 2027 | Private ambulance operator directory | Discontinued 1777 |
| Someone has mild symptoms and needs advice | NurseFirst 6262 6262 | Non-emergency care navigation |
Related eduKateSG guides
- Singapore Vocabulary | HealthHub and Polyclinic Appointments — routine primary healthcare.
- Singapore Vocabulary | CHAS and Healthcare Subsidies — healthcare costs and coverage.
- Singapore Vocabulary | ScamShield and Phishing — non-emergency scam concerns.
- Master Vocabulary Hub — more useful explanations.
Official sources checked
- SCDF Emergency Medical Services — dispatch, 995, 70995 and transport choices.
- MOH: 1777 Hotline Ends on 1 January 2027 — effective date and alternatives.
- Singapore Police Contact Numbers — 999, 70999 and non-emergency help.
- Singapore Police Emergency SMS 70999 — proper use.
- Private Ambulance Operator Directory — non-emergency transport.
Verified 4 November 2026. This is a safety vocabulary guide rather than a live triage service. If someone is in immediate danger, call the appropriate emergency number instead of consulting an article.