KYTX CBS 19 Tyler Longview News Weather SportsUpdate: Longview 911 system operational

Update: Longview 911 system operational

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By Abby Broyles - bio | email

LONGVIEW (KYTX) - The Longview 911 system is up and running again after a problem at their call center today. Someone cut the phone line by mistake. But as CBS 19's Abby Broyles shows us, this did not compromise any emergency calls because of a backup plan in place. As soon as the system went down, police say all calls were re-routed to Gregg County. In fact, Longview Police sent two of their own dispatchers up there to help man the phones, while technicians worked here to get the system back up and running.

 "We discovered the problem because a 9-1-1 dispatcher was on the phone with a caller and that call dropped," Longview Police Officer Kristie Brian said.

Police say when a contractor cut the 9-1-1 computer phone line by mistake. Their backup system worked. Dispatch answered calls the old-fashioned way today - by handheld phone instead by headset through the computer line.

"If someone does call in to 9-1-1, it will be just a minimal delay, just a matter of asking a few more questions before we can send out fire or the police," Brian said.

16-Year old Jennifer Hahne is thankful there's a 911 backup plan in place.

"If i needed them or something, because I'm new to driving you know, and if I couldn't get in that would make the situation even worse," Hahne said.

Police say you can help emergency responders help you by having vital location information ready if you ever call 9-1-1.

Brian says, "If they have an emergency and call 9-1-1, they just need to know the address of they are."

Technicians have been working all afternoon here to get the system running properly. And at this time, police do not know if the contractor or the police department will foot the repair bills.

Released by the Longview Police Department:
 
In addition to the emergency 911 system, the Police Department and Fire Department also maintain several non-emergency phone numbers that were not affected by the event. In order to reach Public Safety Communications for a non-emergency, individuals should dial one of Public Safety Communications' 10-digit direct lines listed below until full service is restored:
 
903-237-1170
903-237-1171
903-237-1172
903-237-1175
 

 

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