Short answer. In Mexico, call 911: "the single emergency call number in the country" 1, free of charge, for medical, public-safety and civil protection emergencies, answered by emergency call centres (CALLE) 1. If a government phone alert did not reach you, the ATDT says to call the CABI line, 079 2. CENAPRED's switchboard is 55 5424 6100 3.
Which numbers should you know?
| Number | Use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 911 | Single free emergency number: medical, public safety, civil protection | 1 |
| 079 | CABI line, which the ATDT tells people to call if they did not receive the phone alert | 2 |
| 55 5424 6100 | CENAPRED switchboard (not an emergency line) | 3 |
Save these numbers in every phone in the household, and write them on paper in your emergency backpack: CENAPRED's backpack list includes a directory of relatives, schools, emergency services and Civil Protection (see our Mexico kit page).
Who is responsible for civil protection?
| Body | Role | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Coordinación Nacional de Protección Civil (CNPC), Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana | Coordinates civil protection nationally | https://www.gob.mx/sspc |
| Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres (CENAPRED) | Technical centre of civil protection; publishes the family plan and kit guidance | https://www.gob.mx/cenapred |
| Atlas Nacional de Riesgos | Risk maps, including temporary refuges | http://www.atlasnacionalderiesgos.gob.mx |
| Comisión Nacional de Seguridad Nuclear y Salvaguardias (CNSNS) | National nuclear safety commission | https://www.gob.mx/cnsns |
| State and municipal Civil Protection units | Local refuges, local risks and evacuation | Your state or municipality |
Civil protection is coordinated by the CNPC within the SSPC, with CENAPRED as its technical centre 3.
When should you contact Civil Protection rather than 911?
Call 911 for any emergency in progress 1. Contact your municipal or state Civil Protection unit in advance, to learn your local risks and which temporary refuge to use; the family plan booklet tells you to consult it when deciding whether to go to a pre-identified refuge 3. See our Mexico public shelters page.
Frequently asked questions
Is 911 free in Mexico?
Yes. 911 is Mexico's single free emergency number 1.
Does 911 cover civil protection emergencies?
Yes: medical, public-safety and civil protection emergencies 1.
What if my phone did not receive the national alert?
Check that wireless emergency alerts are enabled, or call 079 2. More on our Mexico alerts page.
Where should I write these numbers?
In your family plan and on paper in your emergency backpack, as part of the contact directory CENAPRED asks you to carry (Mexico kit page). Our family plan guide shows how.
Sources
- Secretariado Ejecutivo del Sistema Nacional de Seguridad Pública (SESNSP) — ¿Qué es el Número Único de Llamadas de Emergencia 9-1-1? — https://www.gob.mx/911/articulos/que-es-el-911emergencias?idiom=es (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Agencia de Transformación Digital y Telecomunicaciones (ATDT) — Se activa alerta en teléfonos celulares durante el Simulacro Nacional — https://www.gob.mx/atdt/comunicacion/se-activa-alerta-en-telefonos-celulares-durante-el-simulacro-nacional (accessed 2026-10-20)
- CENAPRED / Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana — Elabora tu Plan Familiar de Protección Civil — https://simulacronacional.sspc.gob.mx/PDF/175-FOLLETOPLANFAMILIARDEPROTECCINCIVIL.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Mexico, 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
- Secretariado Ejecutivo del Sistema Nacional de Seguridad Pública (SESNSP) · ¿Qué es el Número Único de Llamadas de Emergencia 9-1-1? checked 2026-10-20
- Agencia de Transformación Digital y Telecomunicaciones (ATDT) · Se activa alerta en teléfonos celulares durante el Simulacro Nacional checked 2026-10-20
- CENAPRED / Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana · Elabora tu Plan Familiar de Protección Civil checked 2026-10-20