By calling anywhere in Portugal on 112 you will be connected to Fire, Police and Ambulance services. Every Fire Brigade also maintains one or more ambulances for emergencies. Chemists can give advice on simple health problems and suggest appropriate treatment. They are also permitted to sell many medicines without a doctor's subscription. A green cross on white background denotes a chemist. A red cross on a white background denotes a Red Cross station. In most towns there are Emergency Treatment Centres (SAP) that will provide medical assistance 24 hours a day.
Security in cities and towns is handled by the Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP), rural areas by the Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR), and the traffic by Brigada de Trânsito. On motorways and several major roads there are SOS phone boxes for help in accidents or breakdowns.
