消防署(しょうぼうしょ)

Composition: 消防(しょうぼう) (firefighting) + 署(しょ) (station, office). Literally "firefighting station."

Emergency number

In Japan, the emergency number for fire and ambulance is 119 (not 911).

• 火事(かじ): 119
• 救急(きゅうきゅう): 119
• 警察(けいさつ): 110

Related words

• 消防士(しょうぼうし)/消防隊員(しょうぼうたいいん) (firefighter)
• 消防車(しょうぼうしゃ) (fire truck/engine)
• 救急車(きゅうきゅうしゃ) (ambulance)
• 消火器(しょうかき) (fire extinguisher)
• 消火栓(しょうかせん) (fire hydrant)
• 消防団(しょうぼうだん) (volunteer fire corps)

PUBLIC SERVICE BUILDINGS (～署(しょ)):

• 警察署(けいさつしょ) (police station)
• 消防署(しょうぼうしょ) (fire station)
• 税務署(ぜいむしょ) (tax office)

Cultural note

Japanese fire stations often provide free safety inspections for homes and businesses, and host community events where children can see fire trucks and learn about fire safety (防災(ぼうさい)訓練(くんれん)).