At an Italian shelter. The social worker explains to Omar, a newcomer migrant, how to behave in emergency situations, in case his roommate or another resident is seriously injured / has fainted and it is necessary to call the emergency services, but there is no staff member available at that moment. He also explains this information can be useful if he sees an accident on the road.

Good morning Omar! Since you have just arrived in our facility, I would like to explain to you what the Italian emergency numbers are and especially what you need to do if another resident feels ill or is injured. Ok?

That’s great! Yesterday I saw an accident on the road. I wanted to help but I didn’t know what to do. Luckily another pedestrian helped.

Oh, yes, this information can also be useful when you are on the road and you see an accident. So, these are the numbers you may call in Italy for different kinds of emergencies:
112 –Local police
113 – State police
115 – Fire brigade
118 - Emergency.
You can call them from your landline or from your mobile phone, even if you don’t have credit.

That’s good because I always have my mobile with me

You should also know that it is not necessary to remember all these numbers. If you do not remember them, you can simply dial 112 which is slowly becoming the single emergency number (police, medical emergency, fire brigade) throughout the European Union. But you must be sure that it has been activated in the city where you live. Here, for example, it is not active yet.

I see. So, for now, as it is not yet active here, I have to remember all these phone numbers…? Well, I may add them on my contact list. What do you think?

That’s a good idea! I have prepared a list for you; it is a list of the emergency numbers you can call! And they are also on display near the office entrance.

Thanks a lot, that’s great! And what should I say?

It is important to speak clearly. You must say your name and surname, where you are and explain precisely why you are calling. If, for instance, you call 118 because your roommate is injured, you must give the address of the shelter and explain what symptoms your friend has and what has happened.

It doesn’t look that difficult. And if the person is injured, can I bring them to the entrance? Then it will be faster when the ambulance arrives and the doctor can carry them into it.

No, never do that. If a person is seriously injured, do not move them. We need to wait for proper help.

If I have a severe headache during the night, should I call 118?

In this situation or if you or another guest feel sick but it is not an emergency, you may contact the on-call doctor, who can examine you at night and can prescribe you medication. I will add his phone number to the list. I forgot, if you need medication at night, you have to go to the nearest open chemist with the doctor’s prescription. Remember that not all chemists are open at night.

Ok. I’ll have a look at those open at night.

Anyway, don’t worry, we are here. You can ask us for help if you need to. Have a nice afternoon!

Thank you, have a nice day too! (goes out of the room)