This is the quickest way to get the right help for an emergency situation, in rural and urban areas.

The '000' (triple zero) emergency number is first answered by Telstra with the question, which service do you require, Police, Fire or Ambulance?.

You will then be connected to an emergency service operator, who will take your details.

Stay on the line and give the operator the details of where you are including street number, name, nearest cross street, and locality.

In rural areas it is important to give the full address and distances from landmarks and roads, not just the name of the property.

Dont hang up until the operator has all the information they need.

In the case of a fire or an incident requiring a fire service, the call is put through to one of 4 Control Centres run by NSW Fire Brigades. These Control Centres have direct lines, not only to their own stations, but to the 140 Rural Fire Service Districts across NSW as well.

In an emergency fire situation DO NOT call:

• A NSW Rural Fire Service district office

• A Fire Control Centre

• A rural fire brigade

• Volunteer members

• 911 (for the United States of America and Canada Only)

This action could lead to a delayed response or inappropriate resource being sent.

Please use the '000' (triple zero) number to contact the Rural Fire Service if our assistance is required at an emergency.

Things everyone should know/do:

• Take time to teach children and overseas visitors how to make an emergency call

• If a person unable to speak English calls '000' they just need to say fire and leave the phone off the hook. The call will be recorded and traced, and a fire engine will be sent to that address

• Leave the '000' emergency number by the phone

• For callers with hearing or speech impairments, call '106' (one zero six) using a textphone

• '000' (triple zero) calls are free.