Emergencies in Montego Bay

Good to Know

• Save both the old and new numbers: dial 119 for police, 110 for fire/ambulance, or 112/911 for general emergencies — all currently work, so use whichever you remember under pressure.
• The tourist police line (888-991-5555) is English-speaking and available 24/7, which can be faster and less confusing for a visitor than the general police line.
• Calls to 119 and 110 are free on local networks (Digicel, Flow) even from a prepaid SIM with zero credit, so don't hesitate to call if you can't top up.
• If you need the fire brigade, calling the local Montego Bay-area station directly can be faster than going through 119, since that route can add delay.
• After Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica's disaster-response framework is under government review, so it's worth checking visitjamaica.com's travel alerts page for the latest guidance during your stay.
• There is no single confirmed official Jamaican public-safety app — rely on saved phone numbers, your embassy's travel registration program, and hotel/resort security staff instead.
• Jamaica's nationwide emergency number is 119 for ambulance, fire, and police — it's toll-free and works island-wide, including in Montego Bay.
• Cornwall Regional Hospital is the official public trauma/referral hospital for western Jamaica, but it has been mid-rehabilitation since 2017 and was further damaged by Hurricane Melissa; parts of its A&E and other critical wards have operated from relocated or reduced-capacity space during rebuilding, so service levels there can vary.
• Many nomads and expats default to the private hospitals (Hospiten Montego Bay, and to a lesser extent Baywest) for emergencies because they offer more consistent 24-hour ER capacity, ICU beds, and staff experienced with international patients — but private care is not free, so travel/health insurance is strongly recommended.
• Public hospitals in Jamaica provide free healthcare to citizens and legal residents, and visitors historically have not been charged hospital fees either, though a government-mandated visitor travel insurance fee (around $40, providing emergency medical coverage up to $100,000) has been part of entry requirements — confirm current terms before relying on this.
• For serious trauma or complex surgical emergencies, ask your hotel or a local contact for the current best-functioning ER given Cornwall Regional's ongoing rebuild — capacity there has fluctuated significantly since the 2025 hurricane damage.