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Part of Alberta 911 program

When to call 911

Learn the difference between emergency and non-emergency situations. Do your part to reduce frivolous calls.

Explore pages in:
Alberta 911 program

Immediate emergencies 

Call 911 when there is an immediate threat to someone's life, health or safety. This includes:

  • medical emergencies
  • crimes in progress
  • active fires and explosions
  • other emergency events

Medical emergency 

Call 911 if you or someone is in medical distress. This includes:

  • any major injuries or medical trauma
  • heavy bleeding
  • chest pain
  • loss of consciousness
  • seizures or stroke symptoms

Crime in progress

Call 911 if there is an active crime in progress. This includes:

  • someone breaking into a house or car
  • a person's life or safety is threatened
  • witnessing impaired driving
  • witnessing assault
  • seeing someone with a gun or hearing gunshots

Fire

Call 911 if there is an active fire. If you see a house, building, any other structure or vehicle on fire, call 911. 

Situational emergencies

Some events may or may not require a 911 call depending on the circumstances. The information below can help you exercise your best judgment. 

  • Unattended child or pet in vehicle

    A vehicle is not a babysitter. Every year, police, fire, paramedics and animal protection officers are called to scenes where a child or pet is left unattended in a vehicle.
     
    Call 911 if a child or animal is left alone in a car on a hot day or during extreme cold.

  • Wildfires 

    • For wildfires within the forest protection area, call 310-FIRE (3473).
    • For wildfires outside of the forest protection area, call 911.
    • If you are unsure whether the wildfire is within a forest protection area, call 911.
    • For more information for reporting wildfires, visit report a wildfire.

  • Impaired driving

    Call 911 for police when you witness potential impaired driving.

  • Environmental and wildlife

    Call the energy and environmental emergency 24-hour response line at  1-800-222-6514 if you have information about a spill or emergency that damages the environment.

    Call the 24-hour Report A Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800 for:

    • dangerous wildlife sightings (for example: bear or cougar in a populated area) that are not actively threatening
    • suspicious or illegal hunting or fishing activity

    For information on reporting injured or orphaned wildlife, visit orphaned or injured wildlife.
     
    Call 911 if:

    • the emergency requires immediate action or is actively endangering the lives of others.

  • Search and rescue

    The Search and Rescue Association of Alberta (SAR Alberta) provides support to regional police, fire rescue and first aid services throughout Alberta. SAR Alberta coordinates ground and inland search and rescue incidents.

    In case of an emergency requiring search and rescue, call 911.

    911 will coordinate with SAR Alberta and other relevant agencies to initiate a search and rescue operation.

    For more information, visit search and rescue.

  • Poison control

    The Poison and Drug Information Service (PADIS) offers poison information, consultation and referral for individuals who require advice after being exposed to any potential poisons, chemicals or toxins.

    Call 1-800-332-1414 for Poison Control Services.

    If someone is having a medical emergency after coming into contact with poison, call 911 and inform the emergency communicator what poison is involved.

  • Suicide Crisis Helpline

    Call 988 to reach the 24-hour Suicide Crisis Helpline if you:

    • are thinking about suicide
    • are in emotional distress and need someone to talk to
    • are worried about someone else who may be at risk
    • need immediate mental health support but are not in physical danger

    If someone is an immediate danger to themselves or others, call 911.

Non-emergencies

Many problems do not require a 911 call. Use the right number to get help without tying up emergency lines.

  • Police non-emergency

    Call your local police non-emergency number to report crimes that are not happening right now and do not pose an immediate threat to life or safety. This includes:

    • noise complaints
    • theft or vandalism that already happened
    • fraud or scams
    • suspicious activity that isn’t urgent

  • City services at 311

    Call 311 for help with:

    • transit and parking issues
    • recreation centres
    • employment programs
    • litter on public property
    • housing information

  • Community and social services at 211

    Call 211 to connect with:

    • counseling and mental health support
    • addiction services
    • disability support
    • housing and basic needs

  • Health Link at 811

    Call Health Link at 811 for:

    • non-urgent health questions
    • medical advice

  • Fire department non-emergency

    Contact your municipality, First Nation or Metis Settlement for:

    • fire permits
    • fire bans
    • alarm system testing

  • Animal situations

    For a cat stuck in a tree or similar issues, contact:

    • a tree service company
    • animal control
    • your local fire department’s non-emergency number

Frivolous and accidental calls

Over 1.67 million 911 calls are made in Alberta each year. Every call and every second matters. Purposely misusing 911 may lead to fines. Help keep emergency lines open for those who truly need urgent help.
​​​​ 
Under the Emergency 911 Act, the fines for purposely making frivolous calls to 911 are:

  • $5,000 for first-time offenders
  • $10,000 for repeat offenders

Preventing accidental 911 calls

Emergency communicators receive hundreds of accidental calls every day - many of them are pocket dials.

If you call 911 by mistake:

  • Stay on the line and explain it was accidental.
  • Do not hang up. If you do, 911 will call you back.
  • Police may be sent if there are safety concerns.

Tips to avoid accidental calls

Cell phones:

  • Lock and store your phone securely.
  • Avoid putting 911 on speed dial.
  • Keep old phones away from children - unregistered phones can still call 911.

Landlines:

  • When dialing 9 for an outside line and 1 for long distance, be careful not to dial 911 by mistake.

Contact

Connect with the Alberta 911 program:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Email: [email protected]

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