Emergency services are the essential public safety services that respond when citizens face immediate threats to life, health, or property. The traditional "three pillars" are police (law enforcement, crime response, public safety), fire (fire suppression, rescue, fire prevention), and emergency medical services/ambulance (medical emergencies, patient transport). In Canada, these services are delivered through various arrangements: municipal police or provincial/federal police (RCMP), municipal fire departments or regional services, and ambulance services that may be municipal, provincial, or contracted. Emergency services are accessed through 911 in most areas, with dispatchers directing appropriate resources. These services consume a substantial portion of municipal budgets—often 15-30% or more of operating expenditures. Modern emergency services increasingly collaborate across traditional boundaries and address complex social issues including mental health crises, addictions, and homelessness.