Emergency numbers in Senegal: police, fire, SAMU

Three numbers cover almost every emergency in Senegal: 17 for the police, 18 for the fire service and 1515 for SAMU, the national medical emergency service. They are free, they work from a mobile or a landline, and they are the same everywhere in the country. The rest comes down to giving the right details in the right order.

The three numbers to memorise

• Police: 17. Assault, theft, a fight, a missing person, a hit and run. It is also the default number when you are not sure who to call.
• Fire service: 18. Fire, gas leak, drowning, building collapse, a road accident with someone trapped, dangerous flooding. Firefighters also handle a large share of medical evacuations in Senegal.
• SAMU: 1515. Life-threatening medical emergencies: chest pain, loss of consciousness, seizures, breathing difficulty, heavy bleeding, imminent childbirth. A duty doctor decides whether to send a team.

None of this replaces medical advice. For a symptom that persists, a treatment or a dosage question, consult a healthcare professional.

What to say on the phone

Operators need very little, but they need it in a specific order: first where, then what, then who.

• The location, as precisely as you can: commune and neighbourhood (Mermoz, Ouakam, Liberté 6, Keur Massar), then a landmark visible from the street: a petrol station, a mosque, a school, a roundabout. In Dakar a landmark beats an address, because many streets are not numbered.
• What happened, in one plain sentence: "a man collapsed and is not responding", "a kitchen fire on the second floor".
• How many casualties and their condition: conscious or not, breathing or not, bleeding or not.
• Roughly how old the casualty is, especially if it is a child, a pregnant woman or an elderly person.
• A callback number, in case the crew cannot find the address.
• Hazards on site: gas cylinders, live wires, a crowd, a fast road.

Never hang up first: let the operator ask their questions and confirm. Then send someone to wait at the roadside, gate open and the light on after dark. If your French is limited, ask a neighbour to take over: a local will describe the location faster than a newcomer can.

Police or gendarmerie: who covers what

Public safety is split between the national police, in urban communes, and the gendarmerie, covering peri-urban areas, major roads and much of the interior. In greater Dakar:

• Dense central and suburban neighbourhoods, from Plateau to Point E, Sacré-Cœur, Liberté 6, Parcelles Assainies, Pikine and Guédiawaye, are generally served by police stations.
• Almadies, Ngor, Ouakam and Yoff have local police posts, which is where you report a theft or lost documents.
• Routes towards Rufisque, Keur Massar and Diamniadio often fall under gendarmerie brigades, including for motorway accidents.

If you are unsure, dial 17 and the operator will route you. For anything non urgent, go in person to the nearest station with an ID document: a police report is usually needed before an insurer or an embassy will act on a stolen passport.

Practical traps and habits that save time

• Network trouble: if the call fails, try a neighbour's phone, often on a different operator. A mobile with no credit can usually still reach emergency numbers.
• Rainy season, July to October: flooding in Pikine, Guédiawaye and Keur Massar slows responders down. Mention the state of the street and any alternative way in.
• Private transport: for a non life-threatening problem, a taxi across Dakar commonly runs between 2,000 and 7,000 FCFA depending on distance and time of day. For anything life-threatening, do not move the casualty without instructions.
• Have the paperwork ready: ID or passport, health records, prescriptions, insurance certificate. Private facilities often ask for an advance payment before admission.
• Ignore unofficial numbers circulating on social media. Only 17, 18 and 1515 are valid nationwide.

Recommended addresses on SeneFinder

• Clinique Croix Bleue : Castors

Listings change over time, so see all addresses on the health search page.

Useful tools

• Practical guide: emergency numbers, transport and essential information for Senegal.
• Route planner to work out in advance how to reach your nearest hospital.
• Choosing a facility ahead of time? See our overview of the best clinics in Dakar.
• Cover matters too: read our piece on health insurance in Senegal.

Frequently asked questions

Are emergency numbers free in Senegal?

Yes. 17, 18 and 1515 are free from both landlines and mobiles, and a phone with no credit can usually still reach them if it has network coverage.

Should I call SAMU or the fire service?

Call 1515 for a life-threatening medical problem and 18 for a fire, a drowning or an accident where someone is trapped. If you are unsure, call either one: the operator will pass the case to the right service.

What if nobody answers straight away?

Call back without panicking, then try the other number. Meanwhile arrange transport to the nearest emergency department, and for any health question consult a healthcare professional.