Studying in USA: Emergency Phone Numbers Guide (2024)

From immersing in exciting experiences to exploring iconic landmarks, there’s no doubt that furthering your studies as an international student in the USA will be an epic adventure!

However – not to rain on your parade – sometimes the unexpected could happen: be it in the form of a medical emergency or traffic accident.

In times like this, it could cause a great deal of anxiety and stress especially when you’re in a foreign country and aren’t entirely sure who to call for help or assistance.

Hence, it is better to be safe than sorry and be prepared by getting familiar with emergency numbers in the USA, so that you’ll be able to get the assistance you require in case the unexpected occurs.

To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of scenarios and the appropriate hotline to reach out to in each scenario.

The nationwide emergency number in the USA is 911, which links you up to an operator that can transfer you to the relevant response team – be it for crime, fire or medical-related emergencies.

Thus, if there’s only one number you memorise, this is it!

For crimes such as a robbery or burglary, you can call your local police for assistance. However, if your life or someone else is in immediate danger, dial 911 for help.

Upon reaching the operator, you’ll be required to provide details including the type of crime, your location as well as the phone number you’re calling from.

Although the first reaction to a fire would be to panic, take a deep breath and compose yourself so that you can get yourself to safety and call 911 to reach firefighters.

Once your call gets through, highly trained dispatchers will determine what the emergency is and how it should be best responded to. After which, the call will be transferred to the appropriate fire station who will handle the situation.

Depending on where you’re at, remember to avoid taking the elevator in a fire. Instead, use the stairs if possible to access a safe place.

As much as we wish to avoid traffic accidents, they can, unfortunately, happen while we’re on the road – whether we’re behind the wheel or in the passenger seat.

In the USA, when this happens, calling 911 to reach the police is important and even legally required in some states.

While waiting for the police to arrive, turn off your engine, turn on your hazard lights and use the road flares in your emergency car kit to send a warning to other vehicles to slow down.

Be careful of bandit tow trucks, which may pull offer to help even when you didn’t call them, as it could be a scam! These bandit tow truck drivers are notorious for persuading victims to let them tow their vehicles away and then later hold these vehicles hostage for an unreasonable fee.

If you feel that you or someone else is having a life-threatening medical emergency, you should immediately call 911 to reach an ambulance.

Depending on the state you’re in, there may be other hotlines you can dial – including 311 and 411, which are there to offer assistance for non-emergency medical incidents.

If you’re having a mental health crisis, one of the best things you can do is to seek help and talk to someone – whether a professional or someone you trust.

As an international student, the struggle might feel greater especially when you’re alone in the USA. However, help is simply a text or call away.

Call or text 988 or access a live chat on 988lifeline.org to reach 988 Lifeline.

Alternatively, you can text “MHA” to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 at the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline. You’ll get connected to trained crisis workers who can direct you to the resources you need.

In the event you have health-related questions but aren’t sure if there’s an immediate need to see a doctor, perhaps you might want to dial the Ask a Nurse hotline at (833) 612-1999.

The 24-hour hotline will connect you to nurses who are equipped with the knowledge and expertise to answer your health and medical-related questions, as well as refer you to the necessary follow-up care if needed.

If you’re planning to head to the USA to pursue your degree, we can navigate the process with you and ensure you make it there!

From assisting you throughout the application process to offering tailored guidance to help you select the best course to pursue your dream career, our education counsellors at IDP will be here for you every step of the way.

Get started by booking your free counselling session today!