An emergency response unit is a name for a law enforcement or other civil government entity that is trained and equipped to respond quickly to emergency situations. In some instances, such a designation is given to a special weapons and tactics unit, although it can also be used for units intended to respond to natural disasters and other situations not requiring the use of weaponry.

Examples include:

• Garda Emergency Response Unit, a specialist armed tactical intervention team of Ireland's police
• Emergency Response Unit (IFRC), pre-trained teams of specialist volunteers of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
• Emergency Response Unit (Cyprus), a division within the Cyprus police
• Emergency Response Division, a counter-terrorism unit of the Iraqi Interior Ministry.
• Emergency Response Unit (Liberia)
• Counter Terrorism Centre (Hungary)