KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — Emergency officials in Unicoi County are warning residents about intermittent phone problems affecting the county’s 911 dispatch center and are urging the public to use a backup number if emergency calls are not answered.
According to Unicoi County Emergency Management Agency Director Jim Erwin, the county’s emergency communications system experienced technical issues Saturday that could prevent some callers from reaching dispatchers through the primary 911 system.
Officials emphasized that residents who call 911 and do not receive an answer should not assume help is unavailable. Instead, they should immediately hang up and contact the county’s designated backup emergency line.
Backup Emergency Number
Unicoi County Emergency Backup Line:
423-743-1850
Emergency management officials said technicians are actively working to identify and correct the problem in an effort to restore full reliability to the 911 system as quickly as possible.
Authorities are encouraging residents to save the backup number in their mobile phones and share the information with friends, family members and neighbors throughout Unicoi County.
While repairs are underway, officials stress that emergency services remain available and that the backup line provides an alternate way to reach dispatchers if a 911 call does not connect successfully.
No additional details about the cause of the phone issues were immediately released.
Residents are advised to monitor official announcements from Unicoi County emergency management officials for updates on the status of the 911 system.
