News Releases

After Interruption of County’s 9-1-1 Service, County Residents Provided Alternatives if a 9-1-1 Busy Signal is Received

For Immediate Release: Monday, July 11, 2016

On Sunday, July 10 just after 11 p.m., the County’s 9-1-1 system experienced an interruption of service which caused community members who called the emergency 9-1-1 and non-emergency 301-279-8000 phone lines to receive a busy signal instead of a standard call taker response. The interruption lasted approximately two hours from 11:10 p.m. to 1:09 a.m. During those two hours, alternative plans to receive and dispatch emergency calls were put into operation. Alternative methods to report emergencies were provided to the public through public safety social media and the Alert Montgomery warning system. The County’s 3-1-1 call center was activated early this morning to assist.

Currently, Montgomery County’s 911 and non-emergency 301-279-8000 lines are functioning, but as corrective action is being implemented, there remains a possibility that a caller could receive a busy signal.

In the event of an emergency, any caller who hears a busy signal or is unable to reach a 911 operator, should contact the following:

• Call 3-1-1 or 240-777-0311. Police officers and Fire and Rescue personnel are on duty at the MC311 call center to assist with any emergency calls.

• Or call the closest local fire station or police district station.

Public Safety officials urge all residents and business owners to determine now which Fire and Rescue Station and Police District station are closest in the event of an emergency.

Police Stations:

1st District Rockville Station      240-773-6070

2nd District Bethesda Station    240-773-6700

3rd District Silver Spring            240-773-6800

4th District Wheaton                  240-773-5500

5th District Germantown            240-773-6200

6th District Gaithersburg            240-773-5700

Anyone uncertain as to which police district serves a particular community should see: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/pol/districts/whatsmydistrict.html

Phone numbers for Fire Station Locations are available at:

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcfrs/connect/phone.html

lehb

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Release ID: 16-172
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: press-releases, safety-tips