Emergency

An emergency is a situation that poses an immediate threat to human life or serious damage to property. A false report of an emergency is usually a crime.

Forms of emergency:

• fire
• crime such as a violent crime in progress
  • note that a "cold" crime, even if serious, may no longer be an emergency
• medical emergency
• maritime emergency
• state of emergency declared by a government official during some disaster such as a terrorist attack or declaration of war or
• natural disasters such as:
  • floods
  • earthquakes
  • tornadoes
  • volcanic eruptions
  • tsunami

See also

• emergency telephone number
• call for help
• emergency responders

"The Emergency": the time in Ireland during WWII

Emergency! is also the title of a popular 1970s American TV series about a paramedic unit in Los Angeles.

Emergency is also the name of an Italian NGO, founded by the medician Gino Strada, which aim is to help civil victims of armed conflicts.

The Emergency is the name by which the Indian state of emergency from 1975-1977 is frequency referred to; see Indian Emergency.