What to do and Who to call during an emergency in North Macedonia

Emergency in North Macedonia right now? Call 112 for the nationwide crisis and emergency coordination centre. The dedicated emergency numbers are 194 for an ambulance, 193 for firefighters and 192 for Police. If someone is unconscious, seriously injured, trapped or under an immediate violent threat, use the relevant service now and give the exact location.

This guide covers Skopje, Ohrid, Bitola, Tetovo, Kumanovo, Štip, Strumica, Mavrovo, the Šar Mountains, Lake Prespa and rural villages. The first sections give numbers and a seven-step action plan. Later chapters explain the relationship between 112 and specialist dispatch, medical crises, fire, crime, floods, earthquakes, mountain and lake rescue, seasonal forest restrictions and family safety. Official government services and the State Audit Office’s September 2026 findings checked 6 November 2026.

Quick answer: who to call in North Macedonia

112 — national Crisis Management Centre emergency coordination: a free, 24-hour route to report a serious emergency, disaster, fire, flood, landslide or another event where services must coordinate.
194 — ambulance and emergency medical service: unconsciousness, life-threatening breathing problems, major trauma, severe bleeding, signs of stroke or heart attack and other critical symptoms.
193 — Fire Department: a house or forest fire, dangerous smoke, explosion hazard or urgent firefighting rescue.
192 — Police: violent threats, assault, serious robbery, crimes in progress or an urgent public-security danger.
196 — Roadside assistance: the Automobile and Motorcycle Union of Macedonia’s road and vehicle support; it is not a replacement for an ambulance or fire response when lives are threatened.
195 — Regional Crisis Management Centre: listed in the official Skopje City emergency directory for reporting and coordination, though 112 is the national priority for current integrated crisis reporting.
141-700 or 0800 11 111 — domestic-violence support: listed by the US State Department for protection and reporting; call 192 or 112 during immediate physical danger.

The government’s Crisis Management Centre (CMC) describes a 24/7 national 112 operational service and its role in fires, floods and landslides. The official City of Skopje telephone directory confirms 192 Police, 193 fire, 194 ambulance and 196 roadside assistance. The Australian Government independently confirms these contacts.

First 60 seconds: seven actions that help

Move away from immediate danger if safe. Avoid active traffic, spreading fire, smoke, violence, unstable masonry, floodwater and falling rocks.
Make an emergency call. Use 112 for a multi-agency crisis or disaster, 194 for a critical medical event, 193 for urgent fire and 192 for immediate Police protection.
Give the exact location before a long explanation. State municipality (opština), town, street, building, floor and a clear landmark. Outdoors identify a village, trail or reliable coordinate.
Explain what happened in one sentence. ‘One person has collapsed’, ‘a forest fire is approaching houses’, or ‘two people are trapped by floodwater’.
Count people and injuries. Say whether anyone is unresponsive, not breathing normally, severely bleeding, missing, trapped or unable to evacuate.
Follow the operator’s advice. Remain connected, answer questions and give appropriate first aid according to training or dispatch instructions.
Make the approach safe and clear. If safe, have someone meet responders at the correct building entrance, bridge, village road or mountain trailhead.

A helpful report is: ‘Ambulance, please. One person is unconscious at [street and building], [town/municipality], floor two, apartment seven. The nearest landmark is [known place]. My telephone number is [number].’ A rural report might identify the nearest village, named bridge, road direction and accurately known GPS coordinates.

Understanding North Macedonia’s 112 system

The Crisis Management Centre (Центар за управување со кризи, ЦУК) coordinates state, regional and local actors for emergencies and other crisis situations. Its 112 service is operational continuously, providing a national point for reporting dangerous incidents and coordinating the relevant agencies. Fires, floods, landslides, natural disasters and other emergencies are specifically listed as reasons to call.

The CMC’s April 2026 guidance says that for a direct life-threatening emergency, people should also contact the relevant specialist emergency services. This is a useful practical distinction: a person critically ill may use 194 ambulance, while 112 can help coordinate a disaster where multiple responders are needed. The numbers complement each other rather than representing separate worlds.

The CMC’s current site explicitly says callers should remain calm, give an accurate location and a short incident description and leave telephone lines available for further instructions. See Crisis Management Centre national 112 guidance and Gazi Baba Municipality emergency contacts.

What happens when the 112 operator receives a report?

The Crisis Management Centre receives information from callers, assesses location and urgency and coordinates with regional and operational bodies. Its network includes regional crisis management arrangements that can exchange information about fires, floods, severe weather and infrastructure hazards. An operator may need the municipal name, road access and which service has already been notified.

Where several incidents happen during a storm, response resources may be busy. The official September 2026 State Audit Office found gaps in overall disaster preparedness, equipment, resource planning and coordination, so no emergency information page should guarantee response times or identical capacity in every municipality. Give your location and needs clearly and follow instructions. Source: State Audit Office, 21 September 2026.

A critical medical emergency: 194

A person is unconscious, has abnormal breathing or severe chest pain

Call 194 or the national 112 emergency service when someone is unresponsive, not breathing normally, has sudden severe chest pain, stroke-like symptoms, major bleeding, serious trauma, a seizure or another immediately dangerous medical condition. Describe the symptoms and location rather than trying to name the illness. The emergency dispatcher may ask about breathing, age, responsiveness or the cause of injury.

If a person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, follow professional instructions and appropriate first-aid training for CPR and an automated external defibrillator (AED). Another person can locate an AED or safely guide ambulance crews to the scene. Do not force drinks, food or medicine into an unconscious person’s mouth.

After major injury, avoid unnecessary movement unless traffic, fire, rising water or unstable debris makes the current location immediately dangerous. Give the ambulance operator the correct building entrance and any road closure. A serious medical event should not be delayed while arranging insurance or consulting a private clinic.

Medical facilities and regional differences

Medical facilities vary between Skopje, regional towns and remote rural areas. The Ministry of Health publishes directories of public health centres and clinics, which can be useful for non-emergency care or planning. But a critically injured person or someone not breathing normally should be reported through emergency services, not sent through a routine clinic-switchboard process.

The Ministry of Health health-centre directory lists medical facilities across the country. Keep a copy of your local health service information if you live far from a city, while recognising that the national emergency number is the appropriate starting point for life-threatening situations.

Fire and smoke: 193 or 112

Call 193 or 112 if a fire is spreading through a house, hotel, workplace, nightclub, market or industrial site. Activate the alarm when appropriate, warn people if safe and leave by a suitable escape route. Avoid ordinary lifts during a building fire and close doors behind you when safe to slow smoke spread. Do not go back into thick smoke for property.

If the stairs or corridor are full of smoke, do not rush blindly toward an exit that is no longer safe. Report your room, floor, staircase and any accessible window or safe space to the emergency operator, and follow firefighter guidance. The safest route depends on the actual building and where the fire is located.

During crowded events, follow staff and emergency responders, avoid pushing against an unsafe crowd and tell the operator if people are trapped behind doors or other obstacles. The emergency needs may include ambulances, fire crews and Police, so describe the full situation. Recent national audits have raised concerns about equipment and response capacity, reinforcing the value of early reports and safe evacuation.

Forest fires and summer restrictions

Warm, dry weather can increase wildfire risk in North Macedonia’s forests, rural hills and national parks. If you see dangerous vegetation fire, call 193 or 112, report the municipality, nearest road, forest compartment or village, and whether people or houses are threatened. Do not approach flames for photographs or attempt to extinguish a fast-moving fire without training.

The Crisis Management Centre supports the Macedonian Forest Fire Information System (MKFFIS), which integrates meteorological data, vegetation and geographic information to support prevention and early warning. It is an information and management tool, not an emergency-call alternative.

Forest and national-park access restrictions have been imposed during periods of elevated danger. Their dates change: a 2026 travel advisory recorded a ban on unregistered forest access extending to 30 September 2026, which is now in the past. Do not present an expired seasonal restriction as a currently active November prohibition. Check the current park or forest authority notice before visiting and comply with any new closure.

If a wildfire approaches a settlement and authorities order evacuation, leave promptly by the approved route. Do not drive into smoke or around a Police roadblock. Prepare essential medication, identification and mobility assistance ahead of time.

Police emergency: 192

Call 192 Police or use 112 where relevant if a serious assault, violent threat, robbery, armed confrontation or crime in progress requires urgent protection. Move to a safer area if possible, then describe the scene and exactly what you observed. Mention injuries or weapons if known. Do not confront an offender or chase somebody to obtain photographs.

A theft discovered earlier with no immediate danger may require a local Police report rather than emergency dispatch. An active violent incident with severe injuries may require both urgent Police and ambulance help. Tell the operator about both the personal threat and the injured person’s condition.

Road collisions and highway incidents

For a severe collision involving injuries, trapped people or fire, use ambulance 194, the appropriate Police/fire emergency number or 112 for coordinated response. State the road designation, travel direction, nearest village, interchange, bridge or kilometre marker. If you are uncertain of the route, report the nearest safely visible road sign or shop.

The City of Skopje official directory lists 196 for roadside assistance and additional automobile service contacts. These are relevant to a car breakdown without immediate danger. But a vehicle fire or a person not breathing normally is a life-threatening emergency, not routine roadside assistance.

Stay away from active traffic lanes and leaking fuel. Do not walk into the motorway to photograph a crash or read a truck’s hazardous-goods label. Follow the ambulance operator on handling serious injuries and provide a safe access point for responders.

Earthquakes: Skopje and other areas

North Macedonia has seismic hazards, and damaging earthquakes have occurred historically. During shaking, protect your head and neck, get beneath suitable sturdy cover and stay away from windows, unsecured furniture and objects likely to fall. Do not rush down stairs while the building is shaking.

After the movement stops, assess broken glass, unstable masonry, gas and electrical dangers and possible aftershocks. Avoid lifts in damaged buildings. If authorities instruct evacuation or a structure is unsafe, use a safe route and move away from facades that may shed debris. For trapped or critically injured people, call 112 and give their last known position.

A general earthquake article cannot determine whether a particular apartment is safe to re-enter. Follow the local emergency services, Civil Protection authorities and qualified building safety assessments.

Floods, flash floods and rising rivers

Intense rain can flood low streets, rivers, small bridges and normally dry drainage channels. Never drive or walk through moving or unknown floodwater; the road surface may be damaged beneath the water and electrical hazards or debris can be hidden. Obey municipal road closures and evacuation instructions before routes become impassable.

If water is rising at home, avoid entering underground parking or basements to save a car or operate wet electrical equipment. Move to a safer higher position or evacuate according to the real local instructions. If people are trapped or injured, call 112 and report the address, number of people and safe access.

The CMC specifically lists floods and landslides among hazards to report on 112. A location-specific official warning is more useful than a screenshot about a storm in another country. Check CMC alerts and disaster instructions.

Landslides and falling rocks

Heavy rain and earthquake shaking can loosen rock and soil on steep roads and mountainsides. Fresh cracks, falling stones, leaning poles or visible slope movement are signs to avoid the area. Do not stand beneath an unstable hillside to inspect damage or cross a road barrier to keep a travel plan.

If someone is buried, trapped or injured by a slide, call 112 and describe the last known location, nearby road, number of people and whether the slope is still moving. An untrained attempt to remove unstable debris may cause another collapse. Leave specialised rescue to appropriately equipped teams.

Lake Ohrid, Lake Prespa and water rescue

North Macedonia’s lakes are popular for swimming and boating. During a drowning, missing swimmer or capsized boat emergency, call 112, state the specific lake, beach, boat, harbour or pier, number of people, last known position and nearest safe access. If somebody recovered from the water is not breathing normally or critically injured, request emergency medical assistance through 194.

Do not dive into dangerous currents, deep or cold water without training or safety equipment. A second person becoming distressed can make rescue harder. Keep a safe and recognisable shore location for responders, and follow lifeguards or local water police where present.

For a boat or beach emergency, a nearby town name alone may not identify the correct shoreline. State whether the location is near Ohrid, Struga, Prespa or another place and describe a named beach, hotel, road or pier. Use reliable GPS coordinates when available.

Mountain incidents and remote travel

The Šar Mountains, Mavrovo, Pelister and Galičica have hiking, winter sports and forest terrain where an injured or missing person can be difficult to locate. The first emergency action is to contact 112 or the relevant urgent medical service and provide the trail, mountain, valley, last known marker or hut and the person’s condition.

A person hiking in poor weather should not continue onto unstable snow, falling-rock terrain or a closed route to reach a planned destination. Share your trip itinerary and expected return time with somebody who is not travelling. Carry appropriate clothing, water, food, navigation and a communication plan; cellular coverage can be limited in some remote places.

When reporting a mountain rescue, explain whether the person is conscious, can walk and is sheltered from weather. Do not attempt an untrained rescue on dangerous ice or steep rock. A group member who stays safely at a known trailhead may help rescuers identify the access route.

Weather warnings, heat and severe storms

Severe thunderstorms, high winds, hail, heavy rain and winter snow may disrupt roads, parks and public services. Follow official weather bulletins and municipal hazard notices before risky travel. During lightning, avoid exposed ridges, open water, solitary trees and unsafe metal structures. During heavy wind, stay away from loose roofs, signs and fallen electrical lines.

Heat illness may affect children, older people, outdoor workers and travellers. Move a person with symptoms to cooler shade or indoors, use appropriate cooling and provide fluids only when the person is fully awake and able to swallow safely. Severe confusion, collapse or seizures require urgent medical help through 194 or 112.

North Macedonia’s national hydro-meteorological authorities and Crisis Management Centre publish weather and hazard information. Use the actual notice for your municipality and period rather than an old forecast. A warning is not the same as summoning rescuers for a specific injured person; use the emergency service for that.

The national response system’s 2026 capacity warning

On 21 September 2026, North Macedonia’s State Audit Office published findings that the country’s disaster protection and rescue system faced preparedness gaps during increased wildfire, flood and severe-weather exposure. It described challenges with resources, planning, infrastructure and coordination. This is not a reason to avoid emergency services; it is a reason to report early, prepare carefully and avoid creating extra danger.

A guide should not promise that every rural village has identical rescue equipment or that a crew will arrive within a fixed number of minutes. Instead, residents can keep their exact address and access points ready, follow local evacuation instructions early and make accurate calls when emergencies occur. Source: State Audit Office performance audit, September 2026.

Domestic violence protection and support

The US government’s current North Macedonia travel advisory lists 141-700 and 0800 11 111 as domestic violence support hotlines. These may help victims or witnesses seek information, report abuse or find appropriate protection services. An ongoing violent attack, serious injury or immediate threat still requires Police 192 or the relevant emergency service through 112.

A person affected by violence may need both urgent Police protection and specialist support after the incident. Do not require the person to make a routine report while an aggressor is nearby if it puts them in more danger. The source is US State Department — local safety and specialist contacts.

Useful Macedonian emergency phrases

‘Помош!’ (Pomoš!) — Help!
‘Ми треба брза помош.’ (Mi treba brza pomoš.) — I need an ambulance.
‘Има пожар.’ (Ima požar.) — There is a fire.
‘Повикајте полиција.’ (Povikajte policija.) — Call the Police.
‘Лицето е во несвест.’ (Liceto e vo nesvest.) — The person is unconscious.
‘Не дише нормално.’ (Ne diše normalno.) — They are not breathing normally.
‘Адресата е…’ (Adresata e…) — The address is…
‘Зборувате ли англиски?’ (Zboruvate li angliski?) — Do you speak English?
‘Се наоѓаме кај…’ (Se naoǵame kaj…) — We are near…

Macedonian and Albanian are spoken in different parts of North Macedonia. English assistance may be available through the emergency system but cannot be guaranteed in every exchange. A traveller should keep the accommodation address in local spelling and ask a safe bystander or hotel worker to help communicate an unfamiliar place name. The correct emergency call should not wait for a translation.

How to report your location accurately

Municipality and locality: opština, grad or selo, with the named city or village.
Urban address: ulica, building and apartment number, floor and entrance.
Road incident: highway or road number, direction, nearest town, junction or kilometre marker.
Forest or mountain: national park, marked trail, ski area, hut, mountain pass or verified coordinates.
Lake incident: Ohrid, Prespa or the specific lake, beach, resort, pier, vessel or shore access.
Flood or landslide: named river or bridge, village, road, last known position and safest access route.
Callback: reachable phone number and any connectivity, battery or road-access problems.

A practical family and visitor emergency checklist

Save 112 Crisis Emergency, 192 Police, 193 Fire and 194 Ambulance, with a note on their uses.
Keep 196 roadside assistance labelled separately so an emergency injury is not confused with a routine vehicle breakdown.
Write your address in Macedonian or Albanian spelling where relevant, including the municipality, street, floor and landmark.
Know the building fire exit, outdoor meeting point and nearest available AED.
Review the forest, mountain, flood, earthquake and road hazards for your region and current season.
Check park or forest restrictions for the actual dates instead of assuming an expired seasonal ban remains in force.
Keep essential medication, water, flashlight, charged phone or power bank, suitable clothing and documents accessible.
Agree who helps children, older relatives, visitors or anyone using mobility aids and powered medical devices.
Know how to reach official CMC information when weather and disaster conditions change.

Common mistakes that delay emergency help

Assuming 112 is only a fire number rather than a nationwide crisis and emergency coordination service.
Using road assistance 196 for a serious crash with life-threatening injuries instead of ambulance or emergency coordination.
Giving only ‘Skopje’ or ‘Ohrid’ without the exact road, village, apartment or beach.
Relying on a forest-closure warning after its published expiry date without checking current local rules.
Driving through floodwater or entering an unstable slope to rescue property.
Returning into fire smoke for luggage or delaying evacuation until the road is cut off.
Expecting identical emergency equipment and response time in every rural or urban community.
Calling a support hotline rather than urgent Police or ambulance service during immediate physical danger.

Frequently asked questions

What is North Macedonia’s nationwide emergency number?

112 is the Crisis Management Centre’s continuous national emergency coordination line.

What are the ambulance, Police and fire numbers?

194 ambulance, 192 Police and 193 firefighters, confirmed by the official City of Skopje directory.

Can I use 112 for a flood or forest fire?

Yes. The CMC specifically lists fires, floods, landslides, natural disasters and other crises for reporting through 112.

What is 196 for?

It is roadside assistance. For a serious traffic crash involving injuries or fire, contact urgent medical, Police, firefighting or 112 services.

Do forest access restrictions apply all year?

No universal claim should be made. North Macedonia can introduce seasonal restrictions and special permissions during elevated wildfire risk, but the applicable dates and areas must be checked with current authorities.

What should I report if a hiker is missing?

Give the mountain and marked route, last known location, time, number of people, phone contact, weather and nearest safe access. Contact 112 for rescue coordination.

Official North Macedonia sources and related guides

Safety and editorial notice: General emergency information cannot dispatch Police, ambulance or firefighters and does not replace the current local authority’s instructions. Source information checked on 6 November 2026. For immediate danger in North Macedonia use the working official service — 112, 192, 193 or 194 — without delay.