An emergency is a situation that poses an immediate threat to human life or serious damage to property. A false report of an emergency is usually a crime.

Forms of emergency:

• fire
• crime such as a violent crime in progress
  • note that a "cold" crime, even if serious, may no longer be an emergency
• medical emergency
• maritime emergency
• state of emergency declared by a government official during some disaster such as a terrorist attack or declaration of war or
• natural disasters such as:
  • floods
  • earthquakes
  • tornadoes
  • volcanic eruptions
  • tsunami

See also

• emergency telephone number
• call for help
• emergency responders

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"The Emergency": the time in Ireland during WWII

Emergency! is also the title of a popular 1970s American TV series about a paramedic unit in Los Angeles.

Emergency is also the name of an Italian NGO, founded by the medician Gino Strada , which aim is to help civil victims of armed conflicts.

The Emergency is the name by which the Indian state of emergency from 1975-1977 is frequency referred to; see Indian Emergency.