Calling Emergency Services in Poland

Hi,

I have a question regarding the legal use of emergency services in Poland. Two weeks ago I spotted a fire in one of those large metal recycling containers accross from my flat. I wasn't overly concerned because the fire was contained within this metal casing, however, there was a car parked about 40cm away, the heat was obviously building and then children started playing with the fire which provoked its strength somewhat. So, at this stage in the UK I would have called the fire brigade without hesitation.

However, my Polish friend told me that if you call the emergency services and they consider your call not worthy, then you may be in trouble. Is this true? If so, how am I qualified to tell if a situation is worthy of attention? Wait until there is a direct threat to life or until somebody has been injured?

In addition, I have been experiencing chest pains, sometimes painfull enough for me to have to stop what I'm doing and clutch the left side of my chest (not the centre which would make me really worry). I have a feeling it's just muscular as it was a year ago or indeed stress related, However, it was severe enough so that again, if I was in the UK, I would have sought immediate medical assistance, possibly even an ambulance. However, once again, my friend tells me (in this case my ex), that if it was found to be muscular and therefore not life threatening that I'd have to pay for the ambulance and treatment and maybe ven get into trouble.

So, can somebody give me an 'official' version. Can I call in a report of a fire that is non life threatening and can I seek medical assistance if I think it is urgent? Obviously, I'm not qualified to say if a medical problems is urgent or not, so I'd err on the side of caution.

Incidentally, come pay day (any day now), I'm going to talk to one of my students who is a GP and get this chest checked out, just in case.

regards

Tony

dial (ie press) 997 for police, 998 -- fire brigade, 999 -- medical emergecy

I really can,t imagine the fire brigade or medical services having some kind of penalty for any call made in good faith , but maybe some of our Polish friends will know better.... I do know you have to pay for hospital treatment if you do not have insurance , but i am told its free in an emergency....If you have a form e111 from UK , then you get emergency medical treatment free anyway.....

112 is a universal emergency number in Poland (fire dept / police / paramedics). You don't have to remember three different numbers. Kind of like 911 in the USA.

This was abolished and is now replaced by a blue plastic card that I carry. As you say, for emergency treatment only so i have to wait until I'm dying. I'll be sorting out ZUS when I can

Tony

In fact it is the universal number across the EU:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1-1-2

They called it the "European Health Insurance Card" or EHIC for short.

ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do