Statewide 911 Service Issues Reported in Pennsylvania

On Friday, Pennsylvania officials alerted the public to intermittent disruptions in the state’s 911 emergency service. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) issued a statement acknowledging the statewide issue, urging residents to use non-emergency lines if they encounter difficulties reaching 911. The agency advised checking local social media and websites for updates.

PEMA’s Response and Investigation Efforts

Randy Padfield, PEMA’s director, addressed the media, explaining that the issues began around 2 p.m. when some emergency calls failed to connect. PEMA’s 911 team immediately launched an investigation to determine the root cause of the disruptions. A conference bridge line was set up to facilitate communication among public safety answering points across the state.

Statewide Alerts Issued as Precaution

Due to multiple counties experiencing similar issues and the cause remaining unidentified, PEMA issued a statewide Wireless Emergency Alert and an Emergency Alert System message. These alerts aimed to inform the public about the ongoing connectivity problems.

Current Status and Public Guidance

Despite the challenges, most calls are still being processed successfully. Padfield reassured residents that they should continue using 911 for emergencies. If a call fails, individuals should resort to backup seven-digit administrative lines or follow local 911 center instructions. He cautioned against testing the system unnecessarily, as abandoned calls require investigation by 911 centers.

System Redundancy and Future Updates

Padfield highlighted the robust redundancy built into the Next Gen 911 system, which has previously handled severe weather incidents effectively. He described the current situation as an anomaly and emphasized efforts to resolve it swiftly. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro also addressed the issue on social media, urging calm and adherence to official guidance while restoration efforts continue.