Pennsylvania 911 outages have struck the entire state Friday afternoon, with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency confirming intermittent failures in the statewide emergency communication system. Officials reported 911 issues across Pennsylvania on Friday, July 11, 2025, with PEMA sending an alert to residents across the state shortly before 3:30 p.m.
This unprecedented disruption has affected all 67 counties in Pennsylvania, forcing emergency officials to activate backup protocols and provide alternative emergency contact numbers for residents.
What We Know About the Outage
The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency confirmed the outages, describing them as “intermittent” statewide 911 outages. Pennsylvania’s 911 systems are experiencing intermittent outages because of an unknown cause. While the exact technical details remain under investigation, sources suggest the outage may be caused by an IT issue.
The timing of this emergency communications failure has created significant concern among residents and emergency responders. A Montgomery County spokesperson told MediaNews Group that the outage is impacting all counties, which are part of the state’s centralized 911 call delivery network.
Emergency management officials have been working rapidly to establish alternative communication channels. Individuals experiencing issues contacting 911 are asked to contact their local 911 center on their non-emergency lines. Counties across the state have been providing backup numbers to ensure emergency services remain accessible.
Some key emergency numbers include:
- Delaware County: 610-565-6575
- Lower Makefield Township area: 215-328-8500
- Montgomery County: Non-emergency dispatch lines
Key Points Summary
- Statewide intermittent 911 outages began Friday afternoon, July 11, 2025
- All 67 Pennsylvania counties are affected by the emergency communication failure
- The cause appears to be related to an IT issue within the centralized system
- Emergency officials have activated backup protocols and alternative contact numbers
- The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency is coordinating the response
- Residents should use non-emergency lines for their local 911 centers if primary lines fail
Impact on Emergency Services
The outage has created unprecedented challenges for emergency response coordination. The outage is being investigated by the commonwealth and its vendor who are working to identify and resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Emergency medical services, fire departments, and police agencies have been implementing backup communication protocols to maintain service continuity.
This marks one of the most significant emergency communication disruptions in Pennsylvania’s history, affecting millions of residents across urban and rural areas alike.
Response and Recovery Efforts
State officials are working around the clock to restore full 911 functionality. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency has emphasized that emergency services remain operational despite the communication challenges. First responders have been trained for such scenarios and are utilizing alternative dispatch methods to maintain public safety.
The centralized nature of Pennsylvania’s 911 system, while typically providing efficiency and coordination benefits, has made this outage particularly widespread. Officials are reviewing the incident to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
What Residents Should Do
During this emergency communication crisis, residents are advised to remain calm and use alternative emergency contact methods. Keep local non-emergency numbers readily available, and only call emergency services for genuine emergencies to avoid overwhelming backup systems.
If you encounter a true emergency and cannot reach 911, contact your local emergency services directly through their non-emergency lines. Do not repeatedly dial 911 if the system is not responding, as this can further strain the network.
This developing situation continues to evolve as emergency officials work to restore full service. Stay informed through official channels and keep alternative emergency contact numbers accessible until normal 911 service is fully restored.