What to do and Who to call during an emergency in the Czech Republic

Emergency in Czechia (the Czech Republic) right now? Call 112 for integrated emergency assistance, or 155 for an ambulance, 150 for firefighters and 158 for police. Give the precise address, town or nearest landmark and explain what happened. If someone is unconscious, trapped, seriously injured or threatened by violence, call now before continuing to read.

This Czechia-specific guide covers Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Plzeň, Liberec, South Moravia, rural towns and mountain or river areas. It is for residents and visitors and begins with quick contacts and a first-minute checklist. Later sections explain the Záchranka emergency app, the nationwide siren warning, the difference between municipal and national police, flooding, road accidents and the government’s 72-hour preparedness programme. Official government and Czech Police information checked on 6 November 2026.

Quick answer: who to call during an emergency in Czechia

112 — Integrated Rescue System / European emergency number: urgent police, fire, ambulance and other emergency coordination. Free and operating 24 hours daily.
155 — Emergency Medical Service (Zdravotnická záchranná služba): a life-threatening illness, serious injury, severe breathing difficulty, collapse or other urgent medical emergency.
150 — Fire and Rescue Service (Hasiči): fire, smoke, hazardous leaks, dangerous rescue and other incidents requiring firefighters.
158 — Police of the Czech Republic (Policie ČR): an assault, immediate threats, crimes in progress or serious public-safety incidents requiring urgent police response.
156 — Municipal or city police (Městská/Obecní policie): local public order and relevant municipal matters. If lives are in immediate danger, 112 or 158 is a clear national route.
603 111 158 — Police emergency SMS for deaf users: a specific police-accessibility number published by the Czech Police, not a universal number for every ordinary SMS emergency.
116 123 — First Psychological Aid Line: free, 24-hour psychological support for people in distress; immediate medical or violent danger needs emergency responders.
116 111 — child and youth support: free, 24-hour crisis helpline for children and students up to age 26.
800 157 157 — Senior Helpline: free support for older people, available continuously.

Czechia’s official Public Administration Portal confirms 112, 150, 155, 158 and 156 and says emergency calls are free at all hours: Emergency Calls. The government’s 72-hour preparedness contacts and the Czech Police hotline directory, updated in 2026 confirm specialist and support contacts.

What to do in the first 60 seconds

Get away from immediate danger if safe. Avoid smoke, traffic, violent threats, floodwater, unstable walls, falling trees and live electrical cables. Do not enter dangerous areas to take photographs.
Call 112 or the direct emergency service. Dial 155 for a critical medical condition, 150 for fire/rescue, 158 for police, or 112 if several agencies may be needed.
Say exactly where you are. Give city, town, street, house number, building entrance, floor, railway crossing marker, streetlamp number or recognised local landmark.
Describe the incident in one sentence. ‘One person has collapsed’, ‘smoke is coming from a flat’ or ‘a driver has hit a pedestrian’.
Count the people affected. Say how many are injured, trapped, unconscious or unable to evacuate, and mention observed weapons or hazards when applicable.
Listen to the call-taker and remain connected. Do not hang up first. Follow instructions about CPR, an AED, safety or movement.
Make access clear when safe. Ask another person to meet crews at the correct road junction, apartment entrance, park gate or trailhead.

A short script: ‘Ambulance, please. One person is unconscious at [road and house number], [town], building B, third floor. The entrance is beside [landmark]. My phone is [number].’ A basic Czech opening is ‘Potřebuji sanitku. Člověk je v bezvědomí. Adresa je…’. The location and condition matter more than perfect pronunciation.

How the Czech Integrated Rescue System handles calls

Czechia’s emergency system connects police, medical responders and firefighters while retaining direct service-specific telephone numbers. A 112 call is particularly useful when the caller is unsure which agency is responsible, when several services are needed or when the caller is a foreign visitor. The operator needs the type of event, exact place and caller information, and may transfer or coordinate the report.

The Czech public-safety authority asks callers to give the precise address, what happened and who is calling, then stay on the line until directed to hang up. If the location is unclear, it suggests reporting a nearby streetlamp or railway crossing identification number or a recognisable landmark. This is especially useful in rural roads or large industrial areas. Source: Czech government emergency instructions.

155 versus routine healthcare: when a medical emergency exists

A person is unconscious, cannot breathe normally or has severe symptoms

Call 155 or 112 for someone not responding, severe difficulty breathing, major bleeding, serious road trauma, signs of a heart attack or stroke, seizures or other life-threatening symptoms. Say what you observe rather than guessing a diagnosis. The emergency medical dispatcher may give instructions for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), AED use or other immediate actions.

If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, follow dispatch guidance and appropriate first-aid training. Ask another helper to bring an AED where one is available. Do not give food or liquids to a person unable to swallow safely. After major trauma, avoid unnecessary movement unless remaining in place is immediately hazardous.

In a tram, metro, train station or shopping centre, notify staff about the emergency and which entrance responders should use. If an AED is present, identify its location to the dispatcher. In a housing estate, the stairwell entrance, floor and flat number are critical.

An urgent medical question that is not immediately life-threatening

A routine prescription question, mild stable illness or minor injury does not automatically require an emergency ambulance. Seek an appropriate doctor, emergency-care clinic or out-of-hours medical service when needed. If the person’s condition rapidly deteriorates, they lose consciousness, suffer severe difficulty breathing or display another serious warning sign, call 155. The distinction is the threat to life rather than whether it is late at night.

Fire, smoke and chemical hazards: 150 or 112

If flames or dangerous smoke are spreading, call 150 or 112, raise the alarm if appropriate, and leave through a safe exit. Avoid ordinary elevators during active building fires, and do not re-enter for possessions. Close doors where safe to limit smoke. If the safe exit is blocked, report the exact floor, room and nearest window or staircase to the dispatcher.

An industrial chemical spill, gas leak or smoke plume can require specialised firefighting and public protection. Move away from the immediate hazard and avoid attempting to identify chemicals by approaching the source. Authorities may instruct sheltering indoors with doors and windows shut and ventilation off, or evacuation to a safe location depending on the substance and wind.

Czechia’s State Office for Nuclear Safety publishes emergency guidance for the public, including cases where staying inside and following official instructions is safer than evacuating immediately. Follow the actual incident direction rather than a generic rule from another hazard. Reference: Instructions to the population in case of emergency.

158 Police versus 156 municipal police

For violence, a serious threat, crime in progress, a suspected weapon or an incident requiring immediate national police intervention, call 158 or 112. Move somewhere safer when possible, then give the incident location, what is happening and any weapons or injuries actually observed. Do not follow or confront a suspect to gather video evidence.

Municipal or city police on 156 deals with local public-order matters where that service exists. It should not be treated as a replacement for the Czech Police during an urgent life-threatening criminal incident. For a theft discovered later without an ongoing threat, use the appropriate official police report process. The Public Administration Portal lists both 158 and 156 and explains their distinct scope.

Road crashes, underpasses and damaged vehicles

For serious injury, fire, trapped occupants or a road accident creating imminent danger, call 112 or the dedicated medical/police/fire service. Report the D- or numbered road, direction, nearest exit, kilometre marker, railway crossing or recognised nearby town. Avoid stepping into live lanes to obtain a better photograph. Keep away from leaking fuel and damaged electrical components.

A road accident with possible spinal or head injury calls for careful handling. Do not move a severely injured person unnecessarily unless the present situation has immediate hazards, and follow medical dispatcher’s advice. One helper can remain with the injured while another safely meets the ambulance at a clear motorway or road junction.

Záchranka app: emergency calling with location

The official Záchranka mobile application can help request emergency medical assistance and share location information with the responsible dispatch centre. It is primarily an ambulance/emergency medical contact tool, and the Czech Fire and Rescue Service explains that it also supports connecting to 112 when fire or police intervention is necessary. It can offer relevant text-based emergency and mountain-related options depending on the circumstances.

The app is especially useful when the caller is unfamiliar with an address or outdoors. Install and configure it in advance. Do not delay a functioning call to 155 or 112 to download a new application. The official fire-service description, published in 2026, is at Fire and Rescue Service — Záchranka app.

Emergency SMS for deaf users

Czech Police publishes 603 111 158 as an emergency SMS contact for deaf users. This is a specifically designated communication route and should not be presented as a universal replacement for calling 112 from any phone. A message should identify the emergency, exact location, people in danger and callback number. Check accessibility arrangements and device setup before they are needed.

The 72-hour government guide also acknowledges emergency assistance through SMS or the Záchranka app. It is sensible for people who cannot communicate reliably by voice to prepare a primary and backup method in advance and tell carers or colleagues how to obtain help. Source: Czech Police emergency and accessible contacts.

Warning sirens in Czechia: what does the sound mean?

Czechia’s warning system relies on sirens and local information channels. The Fire and Rescue Service’s General Warning (Všeobecná výstraha) is a fluctuating 140-second tone, potentially repeated up to three times with short intervals. After the warning, authorities provide further information through electronic sirens, radio, television, official websites, local speakers or other channels.

A routine monthly siren test, generally on the first Wednesday at noon, uses a steady 140-second tone rather than the fluctuating general warning. A test is not proof of an ongoing disaster. However, anyone who hears a real warning should promptly seek official instructions about whether to shelter or evacuate. Source: Czech Fire and Rescue Service — warning the population.

An important 2026 distinction: the Fire and Rescue Service described the nationwide Cell Broadcast mobile warning capability as being prepared for operational introduction, not as an already universally active system. Do not instruct readers to rely on receiving an automatic cell-broadcast alert like in some neighbouring EU countries. Sirens and other official communication channels remain important. See 2026 Czech warning-system update.

What to do after a general warning siren

When a general warning sounds and you do not face an obvious immediate danger like a flood at your feet, the fire service generally advises moving into a suitable building, closing doors and windows, switching off ventilation if instructed and checking official messages. This may protect against a chemical plume or toxic smoke. However, if authorities order evacuation from an unsafe flood or fire zone, leaving by the designated safe route may be essential.

Read the exact event, location and action. Sheltering indoors and evacuating are different decisions. Do not rely only on the siren tone to determine which is correct. Follow the official message or emergency operator rather than an old social-media post.

Flash floods and rising rivers

Czechia has experienced serious river flooding and sudden high-water events. A dangerous current can conceal holes, debris, damaged roads and electric hazards. Avoid driving through a flooded road or walking over an invisible bridge surface. Follow municipal and regional evacuation orders early and do not enter flooded basements to retrieve a vehicle or switch off an immersed electrical panel.

If people are trapped or need urgent rescue, call 112 and give the exact street, village, floor, river crossing or access route. Report the number of people and whether any cannot move independently. If an official message requires evacuation, bring essential medication, identification and communication equipment without delaying departure.

Flood dangers can persist after water recedes, including unstable walls, damaged wiring, contaminated drinking water and washed-out roads. Do not re-enter a damaged building until it is safe and follow health authority advice about water use. The government’s 72 Hours preparedness programme covers household supplies and official response steps.

Severe wind, storms, tornadoes and winter power failure

Intense storms may cause flying debris, fallen trees, broken roofing, lightning and damage to electrical lines. Move into a suitable building when a storm approaches; avoid isolated trees, open water and exposed ridges during lightning. Respect road closures. If an emergency operator directs you to a specific shelter or evacuation route, follow that instruction.

During a widespread power outage, basic utilities may fail: water pumps, home heating, telephone charging, internet, shops, card payments and some medical devices. A routine outage is generally a utility concern, not a reason to occupy 112. A person whose life-sustaining medical equipment is failing may need urgent medical help on 155.

Never use a charcoal grill, petrol generator or other fuel-burning appliance in an enclosed room or garage; carbon monoxide can be fatal. Prepare safe heating and drinking water in advance, especially in winter. The Czech government recommends a household plan for the first 72 hours of an extended disruption.

The official 72-hour preparedness programme

Czechia’s 72 Hours (72 hodin) programme recommends that households prepare to manage interruptions to electricity, water, heating, communications, shopping or other essentials for three days. This is for a period when basic services are interrupted, not a reason to withhold immediate rescue from people in danger. The government explicitly says that the 72-hour rule does not apply to life-threatening emergencies.

The guidance says an adult can generally plan for around two litres of drinking water per day in an emergency, adjusted to individual needs, with non-perishable food, a first-aid kit, a week’s supply of necessary medication, a battery-operated radio, torch, power bank, spare batteries, useful documents and some cash. The purpose is resilience, not expensive gear.

A good preparedness plan also identifies how family members will find each other, who supports an older neighbour or a child, and where to go if an official evacuation order is given. Official source: 72 Hours emergency supplies and Czech Government 72-hour guidance.

Mental health, children and older people: support lines

116 123 is the free, nonstop First Psychological Aid Line for someone in emotional distress. 116 111 offers free, nonstop support for children and students up to 26, and 800 157 157 is a nonstop senior support line. These are separate from the emergency responders on 112, 150, 155 and 158. When a person is critically injured, not breathing normally or being attacked, emergency services are the immediate route.

The Czech Police also lists 116 006 for crime-victim support and provides additional contacts for domestic violence and other safeguarding needs. Protection and counselling may continue after immediate danger is addressed. See 2026 Czech Police helplines.

How to report your location in Prague, a town or a mountain area

City or town: state Praha, Brno, Ostrava, Plzeň, another municipality or village.
Street and address: ulice, building or house number and postcode where known.
Apartment access: floor, flat (byt), entrance, building number and stairwell.
Public transport: metro station, tram line, platform, stop and the nearest signed entrance.
Road: D-motorway number, direction, exit, kilometre marker or railway crossing sign.
Outdoor area: trail, forest road, mountain hut, bridge, streetlamp number or verified GPS position.
Callback: a working phone number and any gate or access difficulty.

Useful Czech phrases during an emergency call

‘Pomoc!’ — Help!
‘Potřebuji sanitku.’ — I need an ambulance.
‘Hoří!’ — Fire!
‘Potřebuji policii.’ — I need the police.
‘Člověk je v bezvědomí.’ — Someone is unconscious.
‘Nedýchá normálně.’ — The person is not breathing normally.
‘Adresa je…’ — The address is…
‘Mluvíte anglicky?’ — Do you speak English?
‘Jsme u…’ — We are near…

If you do not speak Czech, call 112 and ask for language help while stating the address as clearly as possible. Written place names can be especially useful for visitors. A safe hotel, railway or nearby staff member may help describe a location, but waiting for an interpreter should never delay an urgent life-saving request.

A ten-minute household or traveller safety plan

Save 112, 155, 150 and 158 with their emergency purposes; add 156 only for appropriate local municipal contacts.
Write the full address, apartment, road approach and nearest identifiable landmark.
Locate a suitable fire exit, an outdoor meeting point and the nearest AED.
Set up the Záchranka app before travel if useful for sending an accurate medical emergency location.
Know what the Czech general warning siren sounds like and how to find official messages.
Keep water and food for 72 hours, a week’s supply of essential medication and a communication backup.
Plan for children, older adults, pets, disabilities and powered medical equipment.
Agree an alternative contact and safe meeting place when mobile calls or the internet stop working.

Mistakes to avoid

Calling 156 municipal police for an assault that requires 158 or 112 emergency protection.
Using a mental-health advice service instead of 155 when someone is unconscious or critically ill.
Assuming the Czech Cell Broadcast public-warning system is already fully operational in every area.
Confusing a routine noon siren test with the fluctuating 140-second general warning, or ignoring a real warning.
Entering floodwater or a dangerous underpass to rescue a parked vehicle.
Leaving a smoke-filled or chemically contaminated shelter without checking the official action.
Giving only ‘Prague’ or ‘Brno’ without an address, entrance, floor or streetlamp/landmark.
Believing a 72-hour household plan means emergency assistance should wait for three days.

Frequently asked questions

What is Czechia’s general emergency number?

112 is the free European emergency number. Direct national numbers are 150 fire and rescue, 155 ambulance and 158 police.

What is the medical emergency number in the Czech Republic?

155 reaches emergency medical services. Severe injury, collapse, abnormal breathing or similar life-threatening symptoms warrant an immediate call.

What is the Záchranka app?

It is a location-aware emergency app that helps contact ambulance dispatch and can connect to 112 for other incidents, as described by the Fire and Rescue Service.

Is 156 the same as 158?

No. 156 is municipal or city police, while 158 is the national Police of the Czech Republic. For immediate violent or serious criminal danger, call 158 or 112.

What does the Czech general warning siren sound like?

The General Warning is a fluctuating tone lasting 140 seconds, potentially repeated. A regular test is usually a steady tone at noon on the first Wednesday of a month.

How many days of supplies does the government recommend?

The official Czech preparedness programme recommends basic household readiness for 72 hours of service disruption, while making clear that life-threatening emergencies require immediate help.

Official Czech sources and further country guides

Safety notice: This is general public safety information and does not replace real-time dispatch, clinical advice or official evacuation instructions. National source information checked 6 November 2026. If immediate danger exists in Czechia, call 112, 150, 155 or 158 now.