Short answer. In Brazil, call 199 for Civil Defence (Defesa Civil), 193 for the fire brigade (Corpo de Bombeiros), 190 for the military police (Polícia Militar) 1 and 192 for SAMU ambulances 3. São Paulo's civil defence sums it up: "Em emergências, ligue 199, 193 e 190" 1. SAMU is free and runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 3.
Which number should you call?
| Service | Number | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Defesa Civil (civil defence) | 199 1 | Floods, landslides, storms, risk to buildings, disaster information |
| Corpo de Bombeiros (fire brigade) | 193 12 | Fire, rescue, people trapped |
| Polícia Militar (military police) | 190 12 | Crime, public order, immediate danger from people |
| SAMU (mobile emergency medical service) | 192 3 | Medical emergencies, ambulance |
The Ministry of Health describes SAMU as "free, reached on 192, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week" ("O serviço é gratuito, acessado pelo número 192, funciona 24 horas por dia e 07 dias por semana") 3.
Write these numbers on the copy of documents in your kit and teach them to children; see our guide on important documents and our Brazil kit page.
Who runs civil protection in Brazil?
Civil protection is organised in three tiers:
- National: the National Secretariat of Protection and Civil Defence (Sedec) and its national disaster management centre (Cenad), within the Ministry of Integration and Regional Development (MIDR) 4. Website: https://www.gov.br/mdr/pt-br/assuntos/protecao-e-defesa-civil
- States: each state has its civil defence agency, such as the São Paulo and Paraná civil defences 12.
- Municipalities: municipal civil defence offices handle local plans and temporary shelters (see our Brazil public shelters page); call 199 for Civil Defence 1.
Two other national bodies matter in specific emergencies:
- Anatel, the telecom regulator, coordinates disaster alerts with mobile operators 5. Website: https://www.gov.br/anatel/pt-br/dados/utilidade-publica/alertas-de-desastres
- Autoridade Nacional de Segurança Nuclear (ANSN), the national nuclear safety authority, which issues the recommendation to take potassium iodide in a nuclear emergency; see our Brazil iodine page.
The content of disaster alerts is set by state and municipal civil defence agencies 45.
How do you get alerts before you need to call?
Defesa Civil Alerta reaches compatible 4G and 5G phones nationwide with no registration 4, and free SMS alerts arrive when you text your CEP to 40199 2. Details on our Brazil alerts page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the general emergency number in Brazil?
Brazil uses separate numbers: 190 police and 193 fire brigade 12, 192 SAMU ambulance 3, and 199 Civil Defence 1.
Is calling SAMU free?
Yes. SAMU 192 is free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 3.
Who do I call about a flood or landslide risk?
Civil Defence on 199 1. If anyone is trapped or in danger, call the fire brigade on 193 1.
Who is in charge of civil defence nationally?
Sedec, the National Secretariat of Protection and Civil Defence, part of the Ministry of Integration and Regional Development 4.
Sources
- Defesa Civil do Estado de São Paulo — SP Sempre Alerta — https://www.spsemprealerta.sp.gov.br/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Coordenadoria Estadual da Defesa Civil do Paraná — Kit de Emergência pessoal — https://www.defesacivil.pr.gov.br/Pagina/Kit-de-Emergencia-pessoal (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Ministério da Saúde — SAMU 192 – Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência — https://www.gov.br/saude/pt-br/composicao/saes/samu-192 (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Ministério da Integração e do Desenvolvimento Regional (MIDR) – Defesa Civil Nacional — Defesa Civil Alerta — https://www.gov.br/mdr/pt-br/assuntos/protecao-e-defesa-civil/defesa-civil-alerta (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações (Anatel) — Alertas de Desastres — https://www.gov.br/anatel/pt-br/dados/utilidade-publica/alertas-de-desastres (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Brazil, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Defesa Civil do Estado de São Paulo · SP Sempre Alerta checked 2026-10-20
- Coordenadoria Estadual da Defesa Civil do Paraná · Kit de Emergência pessoal checked 2026-10-20
- Ministério da Saúde · SAMU 192 – Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência checked 2026-10-20
- Ministério da Integração e do Desenvolvimento Regional (MIDR) – Defesa Civil Nacional · Defesa Civil Alerta checked 2026-10-20
- Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações (Anatel) · Alertas de Desastres checked 2026-10-20