While being a newcomer to Canada is an exciting time, it’s also important to be familiar with the emergency response services that are available to you.
Each city in Canada has a local fire department that provides immediate emergency response in addition to other services – we urge you to explore our website to see how Richmond Fire-Rescue can support you.
NOTE: You can translate this page into a language of your preference by clicking the Select Language button in the top navigation bar and selecting the language you would like to use.
![For Newcomers to Canada Intro](https://firerescue.richmond.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/rfr-for-newcomers-to-canada-intro-768x485.jpg)
![Here are some important things to know about Richmond Fire-Rescue](https://firerescue.richmond.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/rfr-here-are-some-important-things-to-know-about-richmond-fre-rescue-768x1112.jpg)
Here are some important things to know about Richmond Fire-Rescue and how we respond to your needs:
The call centre that handles all 9-1-1 calls is called eComm, and they are able to communicate with you in multiple languages.
NOTE: While Richmond Fire-Rescue responds to emergency calls, it is important that you identify if you require assistance for an immediate or non-immediate emergency at the time of calling.
Immediate Emergencies
For an immediate emergency, please call 9-1-1.
An emergency is a situation that poses a danger to you or the community’s safety and requires immediate attention.
There are different kinds of emergency response services, such as:
- Police
- Fire
- Ambulance
When you call 9-1-1, they will listen to your concerns and dispatch our crew if necessary.
Examples of immediate emergencies that Richmond Fire-Rescue may be dispatched for include:
- Fires
- Car accidents
- You or someone is trapped
- You or someone is injured
- Medical emergency
- You or someone has fallen and needs assistance
9-1-1: When should you call?
Please consult this brochure for more information on when it is appropriate to call 9-1-1:
Non-Emergencies
For non-emergencies, please call 604-278-5131.
Examples of non-emergencies that Richmond Fire-Rescue may be dispatched for include:
- Burning Complaint
- Public Education Request
- Permit Request
- General Inquiries
![Additional Resources](https://firerescue.richmond.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/rfr-additional-resources-768x1112.jpeg)
The following websites provide useful information for all newcomers to Richmond and Canada in general:
We encourage you to explore them and use the language translation options available on these sites to access the information in a language of your preference.