Lesson No 30A—-Vocabulary And Phrases For Emergencies

Vocabulary and Phrases for Emergencies

Emergency Services

• Emergency services: Fire department, police department, ambulance service
• 911: The emergency phone number in the United States
• Emergency room: A hospital department that treats urgent medical conditions

Emergency Situations

• Natural disaster: Earthquake, flood, hurricane, tornado, etc.
• Medical emergency: Heart attack, stroke, choking, allergic reaction, etc.
• Active shooter situation: A situation where a person is actively shooting at others.
• Chemical spill: A release of hazardous chemicals into the environment.
• Power outage: A loss of electricity.
• Car accident: A collision between two or more vehicles.

Safety Tips

• Evacuation: The process of leaving a dangerous area.
• Shelter-in-place: The process of staying inside a building and sealing off all openings to protect from outside hazards.
• First aid: Immediate medical treatment given to a person who has been injured or suddenly become ill.
• CPR: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, a technique used to revive a person who has stopped breathing.
• AED: Automated external defibrillator, a medical device used to restore a normal heart rhythm.

Phrases to Use in an Emergency

• Help!
• Call 911!
• I need help!
• I’m injured!
• I’m not feeling well.
• Get away from the windows!
• Follow the evacuation plan!
• Stay calm and quiet.

More Phrases to Use in an Emergency

General Emergency Phrases

• “I need immediate medical attention.”
• “There’s been an accident.”
• “Someone is injured.”
• “Please help me.”
• “I’m trapped.”
• “I can’t breathe.”
• “I’m having a heart attack.”
• “I’m having a stroke.”
• “I’m allergic to [substance].”

Specific Emergency Situations

• For a fire:
  • “There’s a fire in the building!”
  • “The fire is spreading quickly!”
  • “Everyone out!”
• For an earthquake:
  • “The building is shaking!”
  • “Duck, cover, and hold on!”
  • “Stay away from windows.”
• For a flood:
  • “The water is rising!”
  • “We need to evacuate!”
  • “We’re trapped!”
• For an active shooter:
  • “There’s an active shooter in the building!”
  • “Run, hide, fight!”
  • “Lock the door and barricade yourself inside.”

Remember to stay calm and follow the instructions of emergency personnel.