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 TERMS:

• 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)).