Updates to France's Emergency Numbers

The latest addition, 197, will only be activated if there is official alert in place as it relates specifically to terror alerts and kidnappings. After the recent terror attacks across France including the Charlie Hebdo shooting and the recent 'Isis' inspired beheading at a French factory, it's hoped that information will be compiled, identified and tracked more quickly during major incidents.

In addition to terror attacks, the number will also be used during cases where children have been reported kidnapped. Getting fast and direct information in these cases could be crucial.

The interior ministry says that having a separate call centre for these incidents will enable staff to receive specific training on how to handle the incoming calls.

Although the hope is that callers will get direct and quick access to the necessary emergency service, assistance or information point, there is no doubt that is is quite a long list to digest...or to remember! If all else fails then calling the Europe-wide emergency number of 112 will remain the best number to remember, and you can be redirected from there.

To recap - here are the list of French Emergency phone numbers:

15: SAMU (medical emergency)
17: Police
18: Firefighters (pompiers are also paramedics and can respond quickly to heart attacks etc)
112: Europe-wide emergency number
114: Text-message emergency number for deaf/hard of hearing
115: SAMU social (domestic violence/care for homeless in winter)
116000: Missing children
119: Social services (mistreated children)
191: Aeronautical emergency
196: Maritime emergency/coastguard
197: Terror/kidnapping hotline (If no alert is in place, the number is not accessible)