Dispatchers Deployed During 911 Outage

When a Verizon router failed in Franklin County (Ill.), knocking out 911 service, dispatchers were sent out into the field to “lock boxes” at telephone exchange offices to handle incoming 911 calls and dispatch field units. The boxes are apparently adjacent to the telephone company buildings, and allow the dispatchers to sit in vehicles and handle incoming telephone calls, and use a mobile or portable radio to contact police, fire and EMS units. Read more about the outage and back-up plan here.