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Emergency Numbers

Please report any emergencies to washington.emergenza@esteri.it.

The Consular Office is open on an appointment-only basis.

For general information and safety operations in the United States, visit the website of the Crisis Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation “Viaggiare Sicuri.”

If you are planning to visit or reside in the United States, do not forget to register on the website “Dove siamo nel Mondo” so that you can be contacted in case of an emergency.

If you experience an emergency on a public holiday or after business hours (Mon-Fri from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm), please call the following number:

  • +1 (202) 612-4411

Click here for a list of the emergency numbers of the Consular Offices located in other U.S. cities.

Click here to learn which Consular Office has jurisdiction over your place of residence.

How to prepare against and what to do in case of a terrorist attack

U.S. authorities have assessed the possible risk of terrorist attacks on American soil and against American targets abroad, also by biological, chemical, radiological channels. To prevent and prepare for these types of emergency situations, U.S. authorities recommend taking a number of practical measures such as:

• Maintaining a network of contacts in case of an emergency; assign meeting points for family members; identify a relative or friend who lives further away and can serve as a point of contact for updates on your medical condition and potential movements;

• Keeping an “emergency kit” of essentials (water, food, radio with spare batteries, blankets, medicines, flashlights, etc.) at your home, and a similar one in your car and at work; find an area in the house (possibly on a floor above street level, possibly with sealed doors and windows, etc.) to store the kit and to serve as shelter in case of an emergency.

Detailed information can be found on various websites of federal agencies and other organizations.

Recommended readings:

  • Ready.gov by the Department of Homeland Security, dedicated specifically to emergencies and preventive measures and preparation.
  • FEMA – Are you ready?, consult the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) publication  Are You Ready? An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness.” The section on “Terrorism” (page 145) describes the effects and possible defense measures in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological , or other attack.
  • Red Cross, consult the American Red Cross Society brochure on Terrorism-Preparing for the Unexpected.
  • Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA), the official website of the DC Emergency Management Agency, which contains useful information specifically for the Washington, DC area.

Other useful websites are:

In terrorist related emergencies, U.S. authorities will provide information to the public via radio and/or television. Tune in your radio to Washington’s WTOP 1500 AM and WMAL 630 AM (Primary Emergency Alert System).

It is advised that your emergency kits include battery-operated radios and an adequate number of spare batteries should the emergency event call for an evacuation.

The website of the Department of Transportation of the District of Columbia contains specific information on which roads are to be used in the event of an evacuation. Please note that Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, between Rock Creek Park and the U.S. Capitol, serves as the dividing line for egress routes. If an evacuation is ordered, motorists north of Pennsylvania Avenue will be directed North, East, and West on radial evacuation routes; motorists south of Pennsylvania Avenue will be directed South, East, and West on radial evacuation routes. None of the evacuation routes cross and no vehicles will be permitted to cross Pennsylvania Avenue during an emergency evacuation.

To verify your evacuation route from Washington, DC and neighboring areas, please click here for information from the DC Emergency and Safety Alliance.

Motorists can also monitor highway and roadway emergencies and accidents by tuning radios into the frequency 1650 AM (Highway Advisory Radio – HAR).

EMERGENCY NUMBERS – Washington, D.C. metropolitan area

  • To report a Police, Fire Department or Ambulance Emergency: 911
  • To report Downed Wires and Life Threatening Emergencies (PEPCO) or an Electrical Outage:  (877) 737-2662
  • To report a Gas Leak: (800) 752-7520 or (703) 750-1400
  • To report a Poisoning Emergency:  (800) 222-1222
  • To report a Water or Sewer Emergency: (202) 612-3400