An emergency is an urgent, unexpected, and usually dangerous situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property, or environment and requires immediate action. Most emergencies require urgent intervention to prevent a worsening of the situation, although in some situations, mitigation may not be possible and agencies may only be able to offer palliative care for the aftermath.
An emergency medical technician treats a woman who has collapsed in the street in New York. Dangers to life and health are serious enough that emergency response systems are considered vital.
Emergency slides are deployed after the crash landing of British Airways Flight 38
Emergency services and rescue services are organizations that ensure public safety, security, and health by addressing and resolving different emergencies. Some of these agencies exist solely for addressing certain types of emergencies, while others deal with ad hoc emergencies as part of their normal responsibilities. Many of these agencies engage in community awareness and prevention programs to help the public avoid, detect, and report emergencies effectively. Emergency services are often considered first responders, and typically have dedicated emergency vehicles.
Police, fire, and medical services at the scene of a traffic collision in New South Wales, Australia
Multiple emergency services at the scene of a traffic accident in Vaughan, Ontario
Lifeguards on duty at Santa Monica State Beach in Los Angeles County, California
Ski patrol team at Ski Montcalm in Quebec, Canada
