Short answer. The same emergency numbers work across all seven emirates of the UAE: 999 for police, 998 for an ambulance, 997 for fire and civil defence, 996 for the coastguard and 995 for search and rescue 1. Power failures are reported on 991 1. NCEMA is the federal body responsible for emergencies, crises and disasters 1.
Which numbers should I know?
| Service | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Police | 999 | 1 |
| Ambulance | 998 | 1 |
| Fire Department (Civil Defence) | 997 | 1 |
| Coastguard | 996 | 1 |
| Find and Rescue | 995 | 1 |
| Electricity failure | 991 | 1 |
| Water supply failure (northern emirates, Etihad WE) | 992 | 1 |
| Abu Dhabi electricity (ADDC) | 8002332 | 1 |
| SMS for people of determination, medical emergency (Abu Dhabi) | 5999 | 1 |
Which authorities are responsible?
| Organisation | Role |
|---|---|
| National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) | Federal authority for emergencies, crises and disasters; runs the early warning system 1 |
| Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) | Nuclear regulator 1 |
| Ministry of Interior / Civil Defence | Alerts, civil defence, fire 1 |
On 2026-10-20, ncema.gov.ae refused connections from outside the UAE; its pages were read from archived copies.
Are there emergency apps?
There is no national public-alert app. Two emergency apps exist: AD999 from Abu Dhabi Police and DCAS SOS for the Dubai ambulance service 1. How alerts reach your phone is explained on the alerts page.
Should I keep a written list of numbers?
Yes, NCEMA suggests it. Its emergency kit includes, as optional items, a list of emergency service numbers (NCEMA, police hotline, nearest police station, water and electricity authority) and a list of personal contacts (family, office, school) 2. A paper list still works when a phone battery is flat. See the kit page, and for a household contact plan, /guides/family-plan and /guides/important-documents.
Frequently asked questions
Is 112 the emergency number in the UAE?
The u.ae portal lists 999 for police, 998 for an ambulance and 997 for fire and civil defence 1. Use those numbers.
What number do I call for an ambulance in Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
998, which works across all seven emirates 1.
Is there an SMS number for people of determination in Abu Dhabi?
People of determination can send an SMS to 5999 for a medical emergency in Abu Dhabi 1.
Who do I call for a power cut?
991 for an electricity failure; in Abu Dhabi, ADDC on 8002332 1.
Sources
- The Official Platform of the UAE Government (u.ae) — Handling emergencies — https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/justice-safety-and-the-law/handling-emergencies (accessed 2026-10-20; page updated 6 Nov 2025, read from the Wayback Machine copy of 2026-03-08)
- National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) — Your Guide for Emergencies — https://www.ncema.gov.ae/content/documents/NCEMA%20Eng%20Daleel.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20; read from the Wayback Machine copy of 2026-03-12)
Turn this into action
Your plan for United Arab Emirates, 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
- The Official Platform of the UAE Government (u.ae) · Handling emergencies checked 2026-10-20
- National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) · Your Guide for Emergencies checked 2026-10-20