Hi Linda- yes, Panama has emergency services, including fire and police stations and ambulances. We also have a 911 Emergency System, but it’s not quite the same as elsewhere.
911 is only for Medical Emergencies if you need an ambulance, and it mostly serves Panama City and surroundings.
If you need the police or fire dept. you need to dial them instead.
It is important to know and note the emergency numbers where you live and even save them in your cell phone.
Here in David, where I live, there are different numbers for the various emergency services, and I have them saved.
Also, responders to these phone numbers may speak to you in Spanish, so you need to be able to communicate with them in Spanish.
In Boquete, which is a very popular expat community, a group of volunteers have established an emergency response system that is available 24/7, for any emergency, and manned by bilingual operators. This is a great service to the residents of Chiriquí Province.
There is a similar, informal system in Bocas del Toro that operates via VHF radio.
I hope this answers your questions.
Regards, Linda
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