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When to call 190, 192, or 193 in Brazil: Police, SAMU, and Fire Department

Check Brazil's main emergency numbers, what each service does, and what to tell the operator.

By AlkateiaUpdated September 20, 20262 min read

In this guide
  1. When should you call the police? 190 is Brazil's Military Police emergency number. Use it for situations requiring immediate police intervention, such as ongoing violence or threats. For reports and non-emergency matters, check official Civil Police or relevant state agency channels. (Anatel)
  2. When should you call the fire department? 193 is Brazil's Fire Department number. Fires and rescue situations are examples of incidents it handles. Describe the risk and location; do not put yourself in danger to take photos or gather extra details. The operator will advise according to the incident and local service arrangements. (Anatel)
  3. When should you call SAMU? SAMU 192 handles medical emergencies in Brazil. The Ministry of Health recommends it for situations involving possible risk to life, lasting injury, or severe suffering, such as cardiorespiratory problems, poisoning, and serious accidents. Describe observed symptoms and follow instructions. (Brazilian Ministry of Health)
  4. What should you say during a call? Give the location and a landmark, describe what happened, and say how many people need help if you know. Answer questions and do not hang up before instructed. If you do not know the address, describe what you can safely identify. A map position can help, but do not delay calling because GPS is not working.
  5. Does Alkateia's SOS call these services automatically? No. SOS sends a family alert and live location to family members. The feature includes shortcuts to call the police and fire department. They make calling easier; they are not an automatic alert integration with public services. SAMU 192 is listed here as official emergency information, not a claim that the app has a shortcut for it.
  6. How can you make this information accessible to the family? Write down the numbers and explain their purposes in age-appropriate language. Practice what to say without making test calls to emergency centers. Include an alternative for a phone without battery or internet in your family emergency plan. Calls to public emergency services in Brazil are free. (Anatel)

In Brazil, 190 is the Military Police number, 192 is SAMU, and 193 is the Fire Department. Choose according to the situation. Explain what is happening, where help is needed, and follow the operator's instructions. (Anatel)

190Military Police192SAMU193Fire Department

When should you call the police? 190 is Brazil's Military Police emergency number. Use it for situations requiring immediate police intervention, such as ongoing violence or threats. For reports and non-emergency matters, check official Civil Police or relevant state agency channels. (Anatel)

When should you call the fire department? 193 is Brazil's Fire Department number. Fires and rescue situations are examples of incidents it handles. Describe the risk and location; do not put yourself in danger to take photos or gather extra details. The operator will advise according to the incident and local service arrangements. (Anatel)

When should you call SAMU? SAMU 192 handles medical emergencies in Brazil. The Ministry of Health recommends it for situations involving possible risk to life, lasting injury, or severe suffering, such as cardiorespiratory problems, poisoning, and serious accidents. Describe observed symptoms and follow instructions. (Brazilian Ministry of Health)

What should you say during a call? Give the location and a landmark, describe what happened, and say how many people need help if you know. Answer questions and do not hang up before instructed. If you do not know the address, describe what you can safely identify. A map position can help, but do not delay calling because GPS is not working.

Does Alkateia's SOS call these services automatically? No. SOS sends a family alert and live location to family members. The feature includes shortcuts to call the police and fire department. They make calling easier; they are not an automatic alert integration with public services. SAMU 192 is listed here as official emergency information, not a claim that the app has a shortcut for it.

How can you make this information accessible to the family? Write down the numbers and explain their purposes in age-appropriate language. Practice what to say without making test calls to emergency centers. Include an alternative for a phone without battery or internet in your family emergency plan. Calls to public emergency services in Brazil are free. (Anatel)

Sources and references

  1. Anatel — Public Utility and Emergency Services
  2. Brazilian Ministry of Health — SAMU 192

Sources accessed September 20, 2026. Informational content produced by Alkateia; information about the app describes its own features.