Pennsylvania experiences statewide intermittent 911 service outage affecting emergency response systems.

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) reported on Friday that 911 systems across the state were experiencing intermittent outages. The exact cause of these disruptions has not been determined.

Governor Josh Shapiro acknowledged the situation through a social media post, indicating that he had been briefed by PEMA regarding the ongoing issues. He assured the public that efforts were underway to restore full functionality to the 911 service as quickly as possible. In his message, Shapiro advised residents to remain calm, follow the guidance of PEMA and local authorities, and emphasized that 911 should only be contacted for genuine emergencies.

Shortly before 3:25 p.m., PEMA issued a phone alert, advising individuals encountering difficulties in reaching 911 to utilize non-emergency lines for local 911 centers. Just after 3:46 p.m., the agency updated its social media platforms with a message confirming that technical experts were actively working to resolve the issue. PEMA urged the public to only contact 911 for true emergencies and cautioned against calling simply to verify the system’s operational status.

In light of the ongoing situation, PEMA provided alternative contacts for emergency responses, directing residents to locate their local 911 office using a dedicated resource. The Montgomery County Department of Public Safety was among the first to inform the public about the outages, with a social media announcement made shortly before 3 p.m.

The American Red Cross Philadelphia branch further supported affected residents by sharing a list of accessible phone numbers for emergency services in Southeastern Pennsylvania, should the primary 911 service remain unavailable. For those in Bucks County, the recommended number is 215-328-8500; Delaware County residents can call 610-891-5200; Montgomery County citizens are directed to contact 610-635-4300, while individuals in Philadelphia should use either 215-686-8686 or 311. Additionally, the Chester County Department of Emergency Services advised affected residents to call 610-436-4700 for assistance.

Some local police departments have also suggested reaching out to their non-emergency numbers if 911 service remains elusive. The Philadelphia Police Department reassured residents that while some calls were still going through, those unable to connect should contact their local police district directly, offering a list of district phone numbers for reference.

This incident underscores the importance of resilient emergency communication systems and the ongoing commitment of state and local officials to ensure public safety. As updates regarding the situation are expected to follow, the community is advised to remain vigilant and informed.