Emergency services in West Bengal are provided through state police, fire services, health emergency systems, disaster management agencies, and local administrations.
## Emergency numbers - **112** — National all-in-one emergency response number. - **100** — Police. - **101** — Fire. - **108** — Ambulance / medical emergency service in much of India. - **102** — Often used for ambulance and patient transport services.
## Police - **West Bengal Police** serves most of the state. - **Kolkata Police** is a separate commissionerate responsible for Kolkata. - Other commissionerates cover major urban areas such as **Howrah**, **Bidhannagar**, **Asansol-Durgapur**, **Barrackpore**, **Siliguri**, and others.
## Fire and rescue - **West Bengal Fire & Emergency Services** operates fire stations across the state and responds to fires, building incidents, and rescue situations. - Kolkata, industrial belts, and major municipalities have more concentrated fire coverage due to density and industrial risk.
## Ambulance and medical response - Government ambulance services connect accident victims and patients to district hospitals and tertiary centers. - Large private hospitals also operate their own emergency rooms and ambulance fleets.
## Disaster management West Bengal faces several recurring hazards: - **Cyclones and storm surges** in coastal districts such as South 24 Parganas and Purba Medinipur. - **Flooding** in riverine districts. - **Landslides** in the Darjeeling Himalayan region during heavy monsoon periods. - **Heat waves** and occasional urban fire risks.
Key agencies include: - **West Bengal State Disaster Management Authority (WBSDMA)** - District disaster management authorities - Police, civil defense, fire services, and the National Disaster Response Force when deployed
## Practical note For urgent help anywhere in the state, **112** is the safest first number to try, especially for visitors unfamiliar with local jurisdictions.
