Emergencies in Venice

Emergencies

No matter where you are in Italy, dial 113 for all emergencies, or find someone, such as a concierge, to call for you, as not all 113 operators speak English. The Italian word to use to draw people's attention in an emergency is aiuto (meaning "help," pronounced ah-you-toh). Pronto soccorso means "first aid" and will get you an ambulance (ambulanza). If you just need a doctor, ask for un medico. (Most hotels will be able to refer you to an English-speaking doctor.) Don't forget to ask the doctor for una ricevuta (receipt) to show to your insurance company for reimbursement. Other useful emergency words in Italian words are al fuoco ("fire," pronounced ahl fuh-woe-co), and Al ladro ("Follow the thief," pronounced ahl lah-droh).

Italy has a national police force (carabinieri) as well as local police (polizia, also known as questura). Both are armed and have the power to investigate crimes and make arrests. Always report the loss of your passport to either the carabinieri or the police (in addition to your consulate or embassy). Polizia Municipale, usually referred to as vigili, are the local police to call if you're involved in a minor traffic accident. They also hand out parking tickets and clamp cars, so before you even consider parking the Italian way, at least be able to spot the uniforms of these men and women who wear white in summer and black in winter.

Historic Venice has one hospital, SS. Giovanni e Paolo, in the Campo of the same name (vaporetto 41/42/51/52 stop Fondamente Nuove), which is used for emergencies and equipped with a decent emergency room. One can never count on finding an English speaker in the middle of the night. Serious problems are generally sent to Mestre where the hospital is better equipped and staffed.

Emergency Services

Carabinieri (militarized police. 112). Fire (115). Italian Automobile Club (116). Medical emergency and ambulance (118). Police (113). Vigili (Polizia Municipale) (041/2748111 Venice; 049/8205111 Padua; 045/8077111 Verona; 0444/221111 Vicenza; 040/366111 Trieste; 0422/6581 Treviso; 0432/271111 Udine).

Hospitals

SS. Giovanni e Paolo (Campo SS. Giovanni e Paolo, Castello. 041/5294111).