After a faulty software update caused a technological meltdown that swept across the globe Friday, disrupting online services for businesses, hospitals, governments and more, a Lewis County commissioner is reminding local residents to be prepared in case of a local 911 outage.
In a statement released Friday, Commissioner Sean Swope asked residents to keep a list of non-emergency and direct phone numbers for local fire departments and the 911 Communications Center on hand in case the dispatch center can’t be reached.
“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,” Swope wrote. “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.
Programming alternative numbers in phones, keeping a printed list at home, educating family members on the availability of the numbers and making use of backup communication methods such as AM/FM radio are among the measures residents could take to be better prepared for a potential outage.
Swope also recommended signing up for the Lewis County Alert emergency notification system at 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,” Swope wrote. “By taking these proactive steps, you can ensure your family stays safe and gets the help they need, even when technology fails us.”
Swope provided the following phone numbers for use by Lewis County residents:
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: 360-736-3975.
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