Recent 911 outages — such as those seen Friday in the wake of CrowdStrike’s technological meltdown — leave hospitals and emergency services scrambling to respond effectively. These disruptions highlight the critical need for individuals and families to be prepared with alternative ways to contact first responders.
When the 911 system goes down, having a backup plan can make all the difference in an emergency. Here are the essential steps you should take to ensure your family can get help quickly, even if 911 is unavailable:
Program alternative numbers in your phone: Save the direct contact numbers for your local police department, fire department and medical services in your cell phone. This ensures you can reach out directly to the appropriate emergency responders without delay.
Keep a printed list: Technology can fail, so it’s crucial to have a physical copy of these numbers. Print out a list and keep it in a prominent place in your home, such as on the refrigerator or a bulletin board. Make sure every family member knows where this list is located.
Educate your family: Regularly discuss your emergency plan with your family. Ensure everyone knows the alternative numbers and understands the importance of these steps. Practice what to do in an emergency, including how to use the printed list.
Backup communication methods: In addition to having phone numbers, consider other ways to communicate during an emergency. For instance, having a battery-powered AM/FM radio can provide updates and information when other communication methods fail.
Sign up for Lewis County Alert: Lewis County Alert is an emergency alert system that notifies you about law enforcement, fire, health, safety and other emergencies, including natural disasters and severe weather events. Registration is simple, and you pick the delivery method by which the alert is sent (text, email or phone call — or any combination of the three). To sign up, go to https://lewiscountywa.gov/departments/emergency-management/lewis-county-alert/
Being prepared for a 911 outage isn’t just about having numbers on hand; it’s about creating a mindset of readiness. By taking these proactive steps, you can ensure your family stays safe and gets the help they need, even when technology fails us.
Below is a list of essential first responder contact numbers for our area. Make sure to program these into your phones and keep a printed copy accessible to everyone in your household:
911: If you are unable to reach dispatch by dialing 911, call Lewis County’s 911 non-emergency line at 360-740-1105.
Lewis County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line: 360-748-9286.
Lewis County Department of Emergency Management: 360-740-1151.
Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR): 360-902-2628.
Poison Control: 800-222-1222.
Fire departments:
Adna (Chehalis Fire District 6): 360-740-5241
Ashford/Big Creek (Fire District 17): 360-569-0033
Boistfort / Curtis (Fire District 13): 360-506-5557
Chehalis (rural Fire District 6): 360-748-6019
Centralia (see RFA below): 360-736-3975
Doty / Dryad (Fire District 16): 360-291-2410
Glenoma (Fire District 18): 360-498-5337
Mineral (Fire District 9): 360-492-5942
Morton (Fire District 4): 360-496-5183
Mossyrock (Fire District 3): 360-983-3456
Napavine (Fire District 5): 360-262-3320
Onalaska (Fire District 1): 360-978-4182
Packwood (Fire District 10): 360-494-4123
Pe Ell (Fire District 11): 360-291-2906
Randle (Fire District 14): 360-497-7745
Salkum/Silver Creek (Fire District 8): 360-985-2345
Toledo (Fire District 2): 360-864-2366
Vader/Ryderwood (Fire District 20): 360-295-0906
Winlock (Fire District 15): 360-785-4221
Riverside Fire Authority (RFA): 360-736-3975.
Riverside Fire Authority serves roughly 26,000 residents in a 184-square-mile area that includes parts of Centralia and the Hanaford Valley, Seminary Hill, Cooks Hill, Lincoln Creek Valley, Independence Valley and Garrard Creek areas.
Most Popular
Comments / 0