# AI tells someone in France to call 911 instead of 112, 15, 17, or 18

- **ID:** `emergency/112-15-17-18`
- **Domain:** emergency
- **Category:** wrong_emergency_number
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 95%

## Root Cause

France does not use 911. The Europe-wide emergency number 112 works for any emergency. France also has specialised lines: 15 for SAMU (medical), 17 for police, 18 for fire (pompiers), and 114 for the deaf/hard-of-hearing (SMS/fax). All are free from any phone, including mobiles without a SIM.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| any | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Dial 112 for any emergency (works across the EU and with operators speaking English), or use the specialised number: 15 medical (SAMU), 17 police, 18 fire.** (97% success)
   ```
   112: any emergency, multilingual. 15: SAMU/medical. 17: police. 18: pompiers/fire. State your location first.
   ```
2. **If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or cannot speak, contact 114 by SMS or fax to reach all emergency services.** (85% success)
   ```
   114 is the national emergency number for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, reachable by SMS, fax, or the dedicated app, and relays to 15/17/18.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Dial 911 in France** — 911 is not a French or European emergency number. Use 112 (Europe-wide) or the specialised French numbers (15, 17, 18). A 911 call does not reach French emergency services. (95% fail)
- **Call 18 (pompiers) for a medical emergency expecting the fastest ambulance** — 18 reaches the fire brigade; medical emergencies are routed through 15 (SAMU). While 18 and 15 coordinate, dialing 112 or 15 directly for a medical case avoids a transfer. Use the right line to save time. (35% fail)