Emergency Services

In an emergency, call 911.

ACES Response Teams

ACES Response Teams has specialized responders for emergencies involving animals or hazardous materials, or water rescues are necessary.

EMS Agencies

EMS Agencies has a list for Emergency Medical Service (EMS) agencies throughout Allegheny County.

Fire Departments

Fire Departments has a list for municipal fire departments in Allegheny County.

Regional Fire Departments

Regional Fire Departments has a list of fire departments in the region, outside Allegheny County.

Local EMA Coordinators

Local EMA Coordinators has a training schedule and list for emergency management (EMA) coordinators throughout Allegheny County.

Police Departments

Police Departments has a list for municipal police departments in Allegheny County.

Federal

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA)
• FEMA Higher Education Program
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• FEMA's Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP)
• U.S. Fire Administration (USFA)

State

• Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP)
• Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH)
• Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA)
• Pennsylvania Governor's Office of Homeland Security
• Pennsylvania's Influenza Pandemic Response Plan (IPRP)

Other

• American Red Cross/CDC Terrorism Preparedness
• American Red Cross - National
• American Red Cross - SouthWest Pennsylvania Chapter
• Association of Public Safety Communications Officials
• Allegheny County E.M.S. Council
• Emergency Medical Service Institute (E.M.S.I.)
• Fire Science
  • Degree Programs in PA
• National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS)
• National Weather Service
• Salvation Army Disaster Services

County, Regional and State Agencies

• Allegheny County EMS Council (ACEMS): 412-473-3746
• Emergency Medical Services Institute
• PA DOH (Department of Health), Office of EMS
• PA Emergency Health Services Council (PEHSC)
• PA Emergency Management Agency (PEMA)

EMS/EMT Certification and Continuing Education

• Center for Emergency Medicine of Western PA: 412-647-5300
• Community College of Allegheny County Public Safety Institute: 412-237-2500
• University of Pittsburgh (EMS Degree Program): 412-383-6565
• Emergency Medical Service Institute: 412-242-7322
• CentreLearn (Online Classes)

Other

• PA Code

How to Use Text to 911

To learn more, call 412-473-1000

• Enter the numbers "911" in the "To" field.
• Send a short message service (SMS) text message (no more than 160 characters).
  • Use simple words and do not use abbreviations or slang.
  • Do not send photos or videos.
  • Do not send your emergency text to anyone other than 911.
• The first text message should contain:
  • The location of the emergency, including municipality (the information from your cell phone is not enough for operators to find you).
  • The type of help needed (fire, ambulance, police, etc.).
• Be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from the 911 operator.

Cautions

• As with all text messages, 911 texts can take longer to receive, can be received out of order, or may not be received at all. Therefore it will probably take slightly longer to dispatch emergency services from a text.
• Text to 911 is not available if you are roaming.
• A text or data plan is required to place a text to 911.
• This technology may require upgrades to some 911 centers and coordination with wireless phone companies. While Allegheny County has the appropriate technology in place, not all carriers are ready to offer the capability.
• You must be within range of a cell tower that supports text to 911.
  • If text to 911 is not available in your location you will receive a "bounce back" message telling you that the service is not available in your area and to contact 911 by other means.
• Do not text and drive!