An intermittent Verizon service problem is disrupting 911 calls across parts of northeastern and north central Pennsylvania, emergency officials warned Sunday afternoon, urging residents in a dozen counties to use alternate numbers if they cannot reach a dispatcher.
What's happening
The Luzerne County Department of Emergency Services — 911 Communications issued the advisory Sunday, saying the issues appear to be intermittent and are primarily affecting Verizon landline customers, although Verizon wireless callers could also be affected, The Citizens' Voice reported.
Verizon has been notified, and technicians are working to identify and fix the problem, according to the advisory shared by officials and reported by WOLF fox56.
Counties affected
The advisory names Monroe, Snyder, Union, Clinton, Columbia, Wyoming, Lackawanna, Carbon, Luzerne, Pike, Schuylkill and Northumberland counties across northeastern and north central Pennsylvania, fox56 reported.
Alternate numbers if 911 doesn't connect
Officials stress that residents should always try calling 911 first. If the call cannot connect, the advisory lists these alternate numbers:
- Lackawanna County: 570-342-9111
- Wayne County: 570-253-3109
- Pike County: 570-296-7700
- Luzerne County: 570-819-4911 or 570-970-1911
- Wyoming County: 570-836-3131
- Pennsylvania Ambulance dispatch: 570-558-1212
Officials say the alternate numbers are for use only if 911 cannot be reached. Pennsylvania Ambulance's dispatch center is described in the notice as staffed around the clock.
What residents should know
Emergency officials advise anyone in the affected region to attempt 911 first before turning to alternate lines, and to stay aware of updates as technicians work to restore full service.
