Emergency services in Texas are organized through a mix of state agencies, county sheriffs, municipal police and fire departments, emergency medical services, and specialized disaster-response organizations.
## Emergency phone number - **Call 911** for police, fire, or medical emergencies throughout Texas and the United States.
## Law enforcement - **Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)** — statewide law enforcement agency overseeing the **Texas Highway Patrol**, criminal investigations, driver licensing functions, and public safety coordination. - **Texas Rangers** — historic investigative division within DPS. - Local policing is handled by: - municipal police departments - county sheriff’s offices - constables in some counties - university police agencies
## Fire and rescue - Fire protection is provided by: - city fire departments in urban areas - emergency services districts - volunteer fire departments in many rural communities - Large city departments such as those in **Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, and Fort Worth** also provide rescue, hazmat, and in some cases EMS functions.
## Ambulance and EMS - EMS provision varies by locality and may be operated by: - fire departments - city or county EMS agencies - hospital districts - private ambulance contractors - Major metro areas generally have advanced life support capability and trauma-network coordination with regional hospitals.
## Disaster management - **Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM)** coordinates disaster planning and response. - Texas regularly plans for and responds to: - hurricanes on the Gulf Coast - flooding and flash flooding - tornadoes and severe thunderstorms - drought and wildfire - winter storms and extreme heat - industrial and petrochemical incidents in some regions
## Important preparedness notes - Residents in coastal and flood-prone areas are commonly advised to know local evacuation zones and shelter routes. - During hurricane season and severe weather periods, county emergency management offices and the National Weather Service are important information sources.
## Other emergency resources - **Poison Control:** 1-800-222-1222 - **988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:** call or text **988**
