# Basic Spanish for First Responders
## 165+ Essential Phrases for Police, Fire, EMS & Utility Workers

**Price:** $19 | **Format:** Markdown + PDF  
**Category:** Public Safety / Language Learning  
**Sections:** 10 + Quick-Reference Cards  
**Design:** Navy blue + safety orange — high-visibility professional theme

---

> **⚠️ Important Disclaimer:** This workbook is a field communication aid for basic interactions. It is NOT a replacement for professional interpreters. For Miranda warnings, witness statements, suspect interviews, medical consent, search consent, and any legally binding communication, you are legally required to use a qualified interpreter. Use these phrases for scene control, basic triage, safety warnings, and building initial rapport. When in doubt, call for a professional interpreter.

---

## 📖 How to Use This Workbook

- **Learn 5-10 commands first.** Section 1 (Basic Commands) is your priority.
- **Say it out loud.** The pronunciation guides use English-friendly syllables — read them like English words.
- **Keep the Quick-Reference Cards** in your cruiser, turnouts, or medic bag.
- **Project confidence.** Even imperfect Spanish, spoken calmly and clearly, can de-escalate a tense situation.
- **Know the limits.** These phrases are for initial contact and scene control. For interviews, medical history, or legal proceedings, always use a professional interpreter.

---

## 🚨 Section 1: Basic Commands & Scene Control (25 Phrases)

Clear, authoritative commands for securing a scene. Use a firm but controlled voice.

| # | English | Español | Pronunciation |
|---|---------|---------|---------------|
| 1 | Stop! | **¡Alto!** | AHL-toh |
| 2 | Don't move! | **¡No se mueva!** | no say MWEH-vah |
| 3 | Put your hands up! | **¡Manos arriba!** | MAH-nohs ah-REE-bah |
| 4 | Put your hands where I can see them | **Ponga las manos donde pueda verlas** | POHN-gah las MAH-nohs DOHN-day PWEH-dah VEHR-lahs |
| 5 | Get down! | **¡Al suelo!** | al SWEH-loh |
| 6 | Stay where you are | **Quédese donde está** | KEH-deh-say DOHN-day es-TAH |
| 7 | Come here | **Venga aquí** | VEN-gah ah-KEE |
| 8 | Go back / Step back | **Retroceda** | reh-troh-SEH-dah |
| 9 | Step away from ___ | **Aléjese de ___** | ah-LEH-heh-say day ___ |
| 10 | Drop it! | **¡Suéltelo!** | SWEL-teh-loh |
| 11 | Show me your hands | **Muéstreme las manos** | MWEHS-treh-may las MAH-nohs |
| 12 | Face down | **Boca abajo** | BOH-kah ah-BAH-hoh |
| 13 | Turn around slowly | **Dése la vuelta despacio** | DEH-say la VWEHL-tah des-PAH-see-oh |
| 14 | Hands behind your back | **Manos atrás** | MAH-nohs ah-TRAHS |
| 15 | Don't reach for anything | **No alcance nada** | no ahl-KAHN-say NAH-dah |
| 16 | Stay still | **Quédese quieto/a** | KEH-deh-say kee-EH-toh/tah |
| 17 | Kneel down | **Arrodíllese** | ah-roh-DEE-yeh-say |
| 18 | Against the wall | **Contra la pared** | KOHN-trah la pah-RED |
| 19 | Spread your legs | **Separe las piernas** | seh-PAH-ray las pee-EHR-nahs |
| 20 | Don't look at me — look forward | **No me mire — mire al frente** | no may MEE-ray — MEE-ray al FREN-tay |
| 21 | Open the door | **Abra la puerta** | AH-brah la PWEHR-tah |
| 22 | Come out slowly | **Salga despacio** | SAHL-gah des-PAH-see-oh |
| 23 | Everyone stay back | **Todos atrás** | TOH-dohs ah-TRAHS |
| 24 | This is the police/fire/EMS | **Somos la policía/los bomberos/los paramédicos** | SOH-mohs la poh-lee-SEE-ah/los bom-BEH-rohs/los pah-rah-MEH-dee-kohs |
| 25 | Follow my instructions | **Siga mis instrucciones** | SEE-gah mees een-strook-see-OH-ness |

---

## 🏚️ Section 2: Emergency Scene Phrases (20 Phrases)

Assess the situation quickly when language is a barrier.

| # | English | Español | Pronunciation |
|---|---------|---------|---------------|
| 26 | Is anyone hurt? | **¿Hay alguien herido?** | eye AL-gee-en eh-REE-doh |
| 27 | How many people are inside? | **¿Cuántas personas hay adentro?** | KWAHN-tahs pehr-SOH-nahs eye ah-DEN-troh |
| 28 | Is there someone trapped? | **¿Hay alguien atrapado?** | eye AL-gee-en ah-trah-PAH-doh |
| 29 | Where is the fire? | **¿Dónde está el incendio?** | DOHN-day es-TAH el een-SEN-dee-oh |
| 30 | Do you smell gas? | **¿Huele a gas?** | WEH-leh ah gahs |
| 31 | Where is the gas leak? | **¿Dónde está la fuga de gas?** | DOHN-day es-TAH la FOO-gah day gahs |
| 32 | What happened? | **¿Qué pasó?** | kay pah-SOH |
| 33 | When did this happen? | **¿Cuándo pasó esto?** | KWAHN-doh pah-SOH ES-toh |
| 34 | Show me where | **Muéstreme dónde** | MWEHS-treh-may DOHN-day |
| 35 | Who called 911? | **¿Quién llamó al 911?** | kee-EN yah-MOH al noh-veh-oon-oh-oon-oh |
| 36 | Is there a second entrance? | **¿Hay otra entrada?** | eye OH-trah en-TRAH-dah |
| 37 | Is there a basement / attic? | **¿Hay sótano / ático?** | eye SOH-tah-noh / AH-tee-koh |
| 38 | Are there children inside? | **¿Hay niños adentro?** | eye NEE-nyohs ah-DEN-troh |
| 39 | Is there an elderly or disabled person? | **¿Hay una persona mayor o discapacitada?** | eye OO-nah pehr-SOH-nah mah-YOHR oh dees-kah-pah-see-TAH-dah |
| 40 | Are there pets inside? | **¿Hay mascotas adentro?** | eye mahs-KOH-tahs ah-DEN-troh |
| 41 | Do you know CPR? | **¿Sabe RCP?** | SAH-bay eh-reh-seh-peh |
| 42 | Was there an explosion? | **¿Hubo una explosión?** | OO-boh OO-nah eks-ploh-see-OWN |
| 43 | Is the power still on? | **¿Todavía hay electricidad?** | toh-dah-VEE-ah eye eh-lek-tree-see-DAHD |
| 44 | Where is the electrical panel? | **¿Dónde está el panel eléctrico?** | DOHN-day es-TAH el pah-NELL eh-LEK-tree-koh |
| 45 | This building isn't safe | **Este edificio no es seguro** | ES-tay eh-dee-FEE-see-oh no ess seh-GOO-roh |

---

## 🏥 Section 3: Medical / EMS Assessment (20 Phrases)

Quick patient assessment when seconds count. (Remember: medical assessment should be done by trained personnel.)

| # | English | Español | Pronunciation |
|---|---------|---------|---------------|
| 46 | Where does it hurt? | **¿Dónde le duele?** | DOHN-day lay DWEH-lay |
| 47 | Can you breathe? | **¿Puede respirar?** | PWEH-day res-pee-RAHR |
| 48 | Does it hurt when you breathe? | **¿Le duele al respirar?** | lay DWEH-lay al res-pee-RAHR |
| 49 | Are you allergic to anything? | **¿Es alérgico/a a algo?** | ess ah-LEHR-hee-koh/kah ah AHL-goh |
| 50 | What medications do you take? | **¿Qué medicamentos toma?** | kay meh-dee-kah-MEN-tohs TOH-mah |
| 51 | Show me where it hurts | **Muéstreme dónde le duele** | MWEHS-treh-may DOHN-day lay DWEH-lay |
| 52 | On a scale of 1 to 10, how bad is the pain? | **Del 1 al 10, ¿qué tan fuerte es el dolor?** | del OO-noh al dee-EHS, kay tahn FWEHR-tay ess el doh-LOHR |
| 53 | Don't move your neck | **No mueva el cuello** | no MWEH-vah el KWEH-yoh |
| 54 | I'm going to help you | **Voy a ayudarle** | voy ah ah-yoo-DAHR-lay |
| 55 | Follow my finger with your eyes | **Siga mi dedo con los ojos** | SEE-gah mee DEH-doh kon los OH-hohs |
| 56 | Squeeze my hand | **Apriete mi mano** | ah-pree-EH-tay mee MAH-noh |
| 57 | Can you feel this? | **¿Siente esto?** | see-EN-tay ES-toh |
| 58 | Are you diabetic? | **¿Es diabético/a?** | ess dee-ah-BEH-tee-koh/kah |
| 59 | Do you have a heart condition? | **¿Tiene problemas del corazón?** | tee-EH-nay proh-BLEH-mahs del koh-rah-SOHN |
| 60 | Are you pregnant? | **¿Está embarazada?** | es-TAH em-bah-rah-SAH-dah |
| 61 | Don't move — there may be a spinal injury | **No se mueva — puede haber lesión de columna** | no say MWEH-vah — PWEH-day ah-BEHR leh-see-OWN day koh-LOOM-nah |
| 62 | I'm going to put this on you | **Voy a ponerle esto** | voy ah poh-NEHR-lay ES-toh |
| 63 | Take a deep breath | **Respire profundo** | res-PEE-ray proh-FOON-doh |
| 64 | Open your mouth | **Abra la boca** | AH-brah la BOH-kah |
| 65 | You're going to be okay | **Va a estar bien** | vah ah es-TAHR bee-EN |

---

## 🔥 Section 4: Fire-Specific Commands (15 Phrases)

Urgent commands for fire scenes and evacuations.

| # | English | Español | Pronunciation |
|---|---------|---------|---------------|
| 66 | Fire! | **¡Fuego!** | FWEH-goh |
| 67 | Evacuate immediately! | **¡Evacúe inmediatamente!** | eh-vah-KOO-ay een-meh-dee-ah-tah-MEN-tay |
| 68 | Stay low! | **¡Agáchese!** | ah-GAH-cheh-say |
| 69 | Go to the exit | **Vaya a la salida** | VAH-yah ah la sah-LEE-dah |
| 70 | Don't use the elevator | **No use el elevador** | no OO-say el eh-leh-vah-DOHR |
| 71 | Is anyone trapped inside? | **¿Hay alguien atrapado adentro?** | eye AL-gee-en ah-trah-PAH-doh ah-DEN-troh |
| 72 | Where is the fire? | **¿Dónde está el fuego?** | DOHN-day es-TAH el FWEH-goh |
| 73 | Get away from the building | **Aléjese del edificio** | ah-LEH-heh-say del eh-dee-FEE-see-oh |
| 74 | Go to the meeting point | **Vaya al punto de reunión** | VAH-yah al POON-toh day reh-oon-YOHN |
| 75 | Do you smell gas? | **¿Huele a gas?** | WEH-leh ah gahs |
| 76 | Turn off the gas | **Cierre el gas** | see-EH-reh el gahs |
| 77 | Is the gas shut off? | **¿Está cerrado el gas?** | es-TAH seh-RAH-doh el gahs |
| 78 | Stay away from the windows | **Aléjese de las ventanas** | ah-LEH-heh-say day las ven-TAH-nahs |
| 79 | Cover your mouth | **Cúbrase la boca** | KOO-brah-say la BOH-kah |
| 80 | Roll on the ground! | **¡Ruede en el suelo!** | RWEH-day en el SWEH-loh |

---

## 👮 Section 5: Police / Law Enforcement (20 Phrases)

Professional, clear commands for law enforcement interactions. Always follow department policy and prioritize safety.

| # | English | Español | Pronunciation |
|---|---------|---------|---------------|
| 81 | Driver's license and registration, please | **Licencia y registro, por favor** | lee-SEN-see-ah ee reh-HEES-troh, por fah-VOR |
| 82 | Step out of the vehicle | **Baje del vehículo** | BAH-hay del veh-EE-koo-loh |
| 83 | Do you have any weapons? | **¿Tiene armas?** | tee-EH-nay AHR-mahs |
| 84 | Turn around slowly | **Dése la vuelta despacio** | DEH-say la VWEHL-tah des-PAH-see-oh |
| 85 | Hands behind your back | **Manos atrás** | MAH-nohs ah-TRAHS |
| 86 | You're under arrest | **Está bajo arresto** | es-TAH BAH-hoh ah-RES-toh |
| 87 | You have the right to remain silent | **Tiene derecho a guardar silencio** | tee-EH-nay deh-REH-choh ah gwahr-DAHR see-LEN-see-oh |
| 88 | Anything you say can be used against you | **Todo lo que diga puede ser usado en su contra** | TOH-doh loh kay DEE-gah PWEH-day sehr oo-SAH-doh en soo KOHN-trah |
| 89 | You have the right to an attorney | **Tiene derecho a un abogado** | tee-EH-nay deh-REH-choh ah oon ah-boh-GAH-doh |
| 90 | Do you understand? | **¿Entiende?** | en-tee-EN-day |
| 91 | Calm down or I'll have to restrain you | **Cálmese o tendré que sujetarlo** | KAHL-meh-say oh ten-DREH kay soo-heh-TAHR-loh |
| 92 | Is this your vehicle? | **¿Es su vehículo?** | ess soo veh-EE-koo-loh |
| 93 | Where are you coming from? | **¿De dónde viene?** | day DOHN-day bee-EH-nay |
| 94 | Have you been drinking? | **¿Ha tomado alcohol?** | ah toh-MAH-doh ahl-koh-OHL |
| 95 | Do you have insurance? | **¿Tiene seguro?** | tee-EH-nay seh-GOO-roh |
| 96 | Stay in the vehicle | **Quédese en el vehículo** | KEH-deh-say en el veh-EE-koo-loh |
| 97 | Keep your hands on the steering wheel | **Mantenga las manos en el volante** | mahn-TEN-gah las MAH-nohs en el voh-LAHN-tay |
| 98 | I'm going to search you | **Voy a registrarlo/a** | voy ah reh-hees-TRAHR-loh/lah |
| 99 | Do you have anything that could hurt me? | **¿Tiene algo que pueda lastimarme?** | tee-EH-nay AHL-goh kay PWEH-dah las-tee-MAHR-may |
| 100 | I'm calling for an interpreter | **Voy a llamar a un intérprete** | voy ah yah-MAHR ah oon een-TEHR-preh-tay |

---

## 🔧 Section 6: Utility Worker Phrases (15 Phrases)

For gas, electric, water, and telecom workers entering properties.

| # | English | Español | Pronunciation |
|---|---------|---------|---------------|
| 101 | I need to check the meter | **Necesito revisar el medidor** | neh-seh-SEE-toh reh-vee-SAHR el meh-dee-DOHR |
| 102 | Turn off the gas | **Cierre el gas** | see-EH-reh el gahs |
| 103 | There's a power line down | **Hay un cable de electricidad caído** | eye oon KAH-blay day eh-lek-tree-see-DAHD kah-EE-doh |
| 104 | Stay away from this area | **Aléjese de esta área** | ah-LEH-heh-say day ES-tah AH-reh-ah |
| 105 | Is this your property? | **¿Es su propiedad?** | ess soo proh-pee-eh-DAHD |
| 106 | I'm with the gas company | **Soy de la compañía de gas** | soy day la kom-pah-NYEE-ah day gahs |
| 107 | I'm with the electric company | **Soy de la compañía de electricidad** | soy day la kom-pah-NYEE-ah day eh-lek-tree-see-DAHD |
| 108 | I'm with the water company | **Soy de la compañía de agua** | soy day la kom-pah-NYEE-ah day AH-gwah |
| 109 | Where is the shutoff valve? | **¿Dónde está la válvula de cierre?** | DOHN-day es-TAH la VAHL-voo-lah day see-EH-reh |
| 110 | Do you smell gas? | **¿Huele a gas?** | WEH-leh ah gahs |
| 111 | I need to access the backyard | **Necesito acceder al patio** | neh-seh-SEE-toh ak-seh-DEHR al PAH-tee-oh |
| 112 | This is a safety inspection | **Es una inspección de seguridad** | ess OO-nah eens-pek-see-OWN day seh-goo-ree-DAHD |
| 113 | Your service will be interrupted briefly | **Su servicio se interrumpirá brevemente** | soo sehr-VEE-see-oh say een-teh-room-pee-RAH breh-veh-MEN-tay |
| 114 | It's safe to go back inside now | **Ya puede entrar de nuevo** | yah PWEH-day en-TRAHR day NWEH-voh |
| 115 | Please sign here — work is complete | **Firme aquí — el trabajo está completo** | FEER-may ah-KEE — el trah-BAH-hoh es-TAH kom-PLEH-toh |

---

## 🗣️ Section 7: Witness / Victim Interview (20 Phrases)

Gathering information from Spanish-speaking witnesses and victims. Be patient and speak clearly.

| # | English | Español | Pronunciation |
|---|---------|---------|---------------|
| 116 | What did you see? | **¿Qué vio?** | kay bee-OH |
| 117 | Describe the person | **Describa a la persona** | des-KREE-bah ah la pehr-SOH-nah |
| 118 | Was it a man or a woman? | **¿Era hombre o mujer?** | EH-rah OHM-bray oh moo-HEHR |
| 119 | How tall? | **¿Qué tan alto/a?** | kay tahn AHL-toh/tah |
| 120 | What was he/she wearing? | **¿Qué ropa llevaba?** | kay ROH-pah yeh-VAH-bah |
| 121 | Which way did they go? | **¿Hacia dónde se fueron?** | AH-see-ah DOHN-day say FWEH-rohn |
| 122 | What color was the car? | **¿De qué color era el carro?** | day kay koh-LOHR EH-rah el KAH-roh |
| 123 | What type of car? | **¿Qué tipo de carro?** | kay TEE-poh day KAH-roh |
| 124 | Did you see the license plate? | **¿Vio la placa?** | bee-OH la PLAH-kah |
| 125 | Did you see a weapon? | **¿Vio un arma?** | bee-OH oon AHR-mah |
| 126 | What kind of weapon? | **¿Qué tipo de arma?** | kay TEE-poh day AHR-mah |
| 127 | How many people? | **¿Cuántas personas?** | KWAHN-tahs pehr-SOH-nahs |
| 128 | Can you show me? | **¿Me puede mostrar?** | may PWEH-day mohs-TRAHR |
| 129 | Can you write it down? | **¿Puede escribirlo?** | PWEH-day es-kree-BEER-loh |
| 130 | Do you have ID? | **¿Tiene identificación?** | tee-EH-nay ee-den-tee-fee-kah-see-OWN |
| 131 | What's your name? | **¿Cómo se llama?** | KOH-moh say YAH-mah |
| 132 | Are you hurt? | **¿Está herido/a?** | es-TAH eh-REE-doh/dah |
| 133 | Did you see where he/she went? | **¿Vio hacia dónde fue?** | bee-OH AH-see-ah DOHN-day fway |
| 134 | Can you describe the face? | **¿Puede describir la cara?** | PWEH-day des-kree-BEER la KAH-rah |
| 135 | Wait here — an officer will talk to you | **Espere aquí — un oficial hablará con usted** | es-PEH-ray ah-KEE — oon oh-fee-see-AHL ah-blah-RAH kon oos-TED |

---

## ⚠️ Section 8: Safety & Warnings (15 Phrases)

Critical safety warnings everyone on scene should understand.

| # | English | Español | Pronunciation |
|---|---------|---------|---------------|
| 136 | Danger! | **¡Peligro!** | peh-LEE-groh |
| 137 | Stay back! | **¡Atrás!** | ah-TRAHS |
| 138 | Get out! | **¡Salga!** | SAHL-gah |
| 139 | This area is not safe | **Esta área no es segura** | ES-tah AH-reh-ah no ess seh-GOO-rah |
| 140 | Call 911 | **Llame al 911** | YAH-may al noh-veh-oon-oh-oon-oh |
| 141 | Wait here | **Espere aquí** | es-PEH-ray ah-KEE |
| 142 | Do not enter | **No entre** | no EN-tray |
| 143 | Keep clear | **Manténgase alejado** | mahn-TEN-gah-say ah-leh-HAH-doh |
| 144 | Police! | **¡Policía!** | poh-lee-SEE-ah |
| 145 | Fire department! | **¡Bomberos!** | bom-BEH-rohs |
| 146 | EMS / Paramedics | **Paramédicos** | pah-rah-MEH-dee-kohs |
| 147 | Gas leak — no smoking! | **Fuga de gas — ¡no fume!** | FOO-gah day gahs — no FOO-may |
| 148 | Downed power line | **Cable eléctrico caído** | KAH-blay eh-LEK-tree-koh kah-EE-doh |
| 149 | Shelter in place | **Quédese donde está — no salga** | KEH-deh-say DOHN-day es-TAH — no SAHL-gah |
| 150 | Evacuation route this way | **Ruta de evacuación por aquí** | ROO-tah day eh-vah-koo-ah-see-OWN por ah-KEE |

---

## 🤲 Section 9: Reassurance & De-escalation (15 Phrases)

Building trust in high-stress situations. Use a calm, steady voice. These phrases save lives.

| # | English | Español | Pronunciation |
|---|---------|---------|---------------|
| 151 | You're safe now | **Ya está a salvo** | yah es-TAH ah SAHL-voh |
| 152 | Help is on the way | **La ayuda viene en camino** | la ah-YOO-dah bee-EH-nay en kah-MEE-noh |
| 153 | I'm here to help | **Estoy aquí para ayudar** | es-TOY ah-KEE PAH-rah ah-yoo-DAHR |
| 154 | Try to stay calm | **Trate de mantener la calma** | TRAH-tay day mahn-teh-NEHR la KAHL-mah |
| 155 | Take a deep breath | **Respire profundo** | res-PEE-ray proh-FOON-doh |
| 156 | Everything will be okay | **Todo va a estar bien** | TOH-doh vah ah es-TAHR bee-EN |
| 157 | I understand you're scared | **Entiendo que tiene miedo** | en-tee-EN-doh kay tee-EH-nay mee-EH-doh |
| 158 | I'm not going to hurt you | **No voy a lastimarlo/a** | no voy ah las-tee-MAHR-loh/lah |
| 159 | Tell me what happened | **Cuénteme qué pasó** | KWEHN-teh-may kay pah-SOH |
| 160 | Look at me — focus on my voice | **Míreme — concéntrese en mi voz** | MEE-reh-may — kon-SEN-treh-say en mee vohs |
| 161 | I need you to cooperate | **Necesito que coopere** | neh-seh-SEE-toh kay koh-oh-PEH-ray |
| 162 | We're going to get through this | **Vamos a superar esto** | VAH-mohs ah soo-peh-RAHR ES-toh |
| 163 | Someone is coming to help you | **Alguien viene a ayudarle** | AL-gee-en bee-EH-nay ah ah-yoo-DAHR-lay |
| 164 | Your family will be notified | **Se notificará a su familia** | say noh-tee-fee-kah-RAH ah soo fah-MEEL-yah |
| 165 | I'm listening — take your time | **Lo estoy escuchando — tómese su tiempo** | loh es-TOY es-koo-CHAHN-doh — TOH-meh-say soo tee-EM-poh |

---

## 🌎 Section 10: Cultural Tips for First Responders

These insights help you communicate effectively and safely with Spanish-speaking individuals during emergencies.

### Authority and Respect
- In many Latin American cultures, uniformed authority figures command automatic respect — but also deep fear, depending on the individual's country of origin. Your calm professionalism is critical.
- Always use **usted** (formal "you") — never **tú** (informal). The phrases in this workbook use **usted** throughout. Using **tú** can be perceived as disrespectful.
- Titles matter: **Señor** (sir), **Señora** (ma'am), **Señorita** (miss, for younger women).

### Family Dynamics in Emergencies
- Family bonds are extremely strong. A parent may refuse to evacuate without a child; a child may resist separation from a parent. Acknowledge this: "Su hijo está a salvo" (Your child is safe).
- Multiple family members may try to stay together during medical transport. Explain the policy clearly and compassionately.
- Extended family (grandparents, aunts, uncles) may be part of the immediate household and should be considered in headcounts.

### Fear of Authorities
- Individuals from countries with histories of police corruption or military oppression may react with extreme fear to uniformed personnel, even when you're trying to help. This is not defiance — it's trauma.
- Avoid sudden movements, shouting unless necessary, and looming over someone. Get to eye level when possible.
- Your badge and uniform may not communicate safety the way you intend. "Estoy aquí para ayudar" (I'm here to help) needs to be said explicitly.

### Communication Differences
- Avoidance of eye contact can be a sign of respect, not deception. In some cultures, looking an authority figure directly in the eye is considered confrontational.
- Nodding or saying "sí" (yes) may indicate they hear you, not that they understand or agree. Follow up with: "¿Entiende?" (Do you understand?) and ask them to explain back.
- Silence doesn't equal compliance. Someone who is quiet may be terrified, confused, or processing in a second language.

### When to Request an Interpreter
- **Always for:** Miranda warnings, arrests, search consent, witness statements, suspect interviews, any legally binding communication.
- **You can use these phrases for:** Scene control, basic commands, safety warnings, brief medical triage, reassurance.
- **Never use a child to interpret** for a parent in an emergency. This is traumatic for the child and legally problematic.
- **Never use a family member to interpret** for law enforcement interactions — they may have conflicting interests.
- Professional telephonic interpretation services (like LanguageLine) can be on the line in under a minute. Call for one early.

### The Human Factor
- Saying "gracias" (thank you) after compliance, or "por favor" (please) when giving instructions, costs nothing and can de-escalate a tense moment.
- If you make a mistake in Spanish, acknowledge it with humility. "Lo siento, mi español no es perfecto" (I'm sorry, my Spanish isn't perfect) shows you're trying.
- Your effort to communicate in Spanish, however imperfect, tells people: "You matter." In an emergency, that can make all the difference.

---

## 🃏 Quick-Reference Cards

### Top 10 Commands (Print & Carry)

| # | English | Español | Say It Like |
|---|---------|---------|-------------|
| 1 | Stop! | **¡Alto!** | AHL-toh |
| 2 | Don't move! | **¡No se mueva!** | no say MWEH-vah |
| 3 | Show me your hands | **Muéstreme las manos** | MWEHS-treh-may las MAH-nohs |
| 4 | Stay where you are | **Quédese donde está** | KEH-deh-say DOHN-day es-TAH |
| 5 | Come here | **Venga aquí** | VEN-gah ah-KEE |
| 6 | Get down! | **¡Al suelo!** | al SWEH-loh |
| 7 | Calm down | **Cálmese** | KAHL-meh-say |
| 8 | I'm here to help | **Estoy aquí para ayudar** | es-TOY ah-KEE PAH-rah ah-yoo-DAHR |
| 9 | Do you understand? | **¿Entiende?** | en-tee-EN-day |
| 10 | Where does it hurt? | **¿Dónde le duele?** | DOHN-day lay DWEH-lay |

### Emergency Scene Cheat Sheet

| English | Español |
|---------|---------|
| Is anyone hurt? | **¿Hay alguien herido?** |
| How many inside? | **¿Cuántas personas adentro?** |
| What happened? | **¿Qué pasó?** |
| Fire! Evacuate! | **¡Fuego! ¡Evacúe!** |
| Do you smell gas? | **¿Huele a gas?** |
| You're safe now | **Ya está a salvo** |
| Help is on the way | **La ayuda viene en camino** |
| Stay back — danger! | **¡Atrás — peligro!** |
| Police / Fire / EMS | **Policía / Bomberos / Paramédicos** |
| I'm calling an interpreter | **Voy a llamar a un intérprete** |

---


---

© TemplateForge — templateforge.com  
Part of the TemplateForge First Responder Collection
