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Emergency number 112
Our important mission
FAQ
About the 112 app

- In case of emergency situations 112
  
  112 is Sweden's emergency number that you call when there is a risk to life, property, or the environment.
- In case of emergency situations 112 for speech and hearing impaired
  
  Do you have a speech or hearing impairment? If so, you can contact the emergency number 112 through the SMS112 service or the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority's relay services.
- Information number 113 13
  
  113 13 is Sweden's national information number for accidents and crises.
- In non-emergency police cases 114 14
  
  114 14 is the national police telephone number for non-emergency police matters.
- For medical advice 1177
  
  Have you or a family member become ill? Then you should call 1177 for medical advice.
- Support organizations and other important numbers
  
  Here you find important numbers and support organizations for when you need help and support.
- Important public announcements
  
  An important public announcement (VMA) is used during serious incidents and disruptions to societal functions.
- Educational material on 112
  
  Here you find educational material on the emergency number 112 for schools, children and young people, for the elderly and those learning Swedish.
- About the 112 app
  
  The 112 app offers security and support for those living temporarily or permanently in Sweden.
- Our important mission
  
  On behalf of the Swedish government, we are responsible for the emergency number 112 and play a key role in the country's crisis preparedness.
- Organisation
  
  Here you will find information about SOS Alarm’s organisation, our common functions and subsidiaries. Read more about Group Management and Board of Directors.
- Financial information and corporate governance
  
  SOS Alarm Sverige AB complies with the State’s ownership policy and its reporting principles.
- Patient safety, research and development
  
  Learn about SOS Alarm's patient safety work and links to research and development.
- Contact us
  
  Here you’ll find all our contact information in one place. Select the category that best matches your needs, and we’ll guide you further.
- Frequently asked questions
  
  Here we have compiled the most frequently asked questions that come to our Customer Service Centre.
- Career
  
  Are you interested in working for SOS Alarm? Here you find important information on what we look for and current job openings.

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Frequently asked questions and answers
Are VMA and Hesa Fredrik the same thing?

What VMA is and how it works

Are VMA and Hesa Fredrik the same thing?

Answer:

In a way. Hesa Fredrik (the outdoor warning system) is one part of the VMA system hich also consists of several different measures such as:

sending messages to mobile phones in the affected area,
read out messages on Sveriges Radio and commercial radio channels,
text banners on TV channels
and distribution via apps such as SOS Alarm's 112 app, Krisinformation.se and Sveriges Radio's Play app.

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Other questions in the category What VMA is and how it works

Yes, VMA stands for Viktigt meddelande till allmänheten, which translates to Important Public Announcement.

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The outdoor warning system consisting of typhons and sound transmitters is called Hesa Fredrik. You can read more at the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency.

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Hesa Fredrik is named after a columnist in Dagens Nyheter, Oscar Fredrik Rydqvist, who wrote under the pen name "Hesa Fredrik" (Hoarse Fredrik). When the typhons were tested for the first time in 1931 he thought they sounded just as hoarse as he himself was. The expression "Hesa Fredrik" then spread quickly.

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Last updated 21 May 2026

Sweden’s nationwide alarm response centre

On behalf of the Swedish government, we are responsible for the emergency number 112 and play a central role in Sweden’s crisis preparedness.

Important numbers

112 Urgent danger to life, property or environment
113 13 Information during accidents and crises
114 14 Police non-emergency number
1177 Healthcare advice, 24/7
116 000 Hotline for missing children

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