I spoke at length about why 9-1-1 outages are uniquely frightening in Nobody's Coming, but I thought the topic also warranted a standalone page. Most of these are only helpful if you consider them in advance, so don't wait for an outage to take note of what to do, and make sure you have the right information noted somewhere you'll have access to it in a pinch.
1. Note your local public safety departments' numbers.
Although to most of us, 9-1-1 seems like an eternal fixture, it wasn't too long ago that emergency numbers weren't standardized. Before 9-1-1, local departments relied on copper lines to connect callers with dispatch. Today, many of these legacy lines as well as departments' business numbers automatically route to dispatch anyway, and (at least at my agency) we are trained to expect an emergency to come from any line.
In case of a 9-1-1 outage, look up and save your local non-emergency or copper line numbers to your phone. Write them down in more than one place, too-- on the fridge, tattooed on your ass, whatever helps. I tell people who live in areas where outages are more common to memorize their local police and/or fire lines.
However, keep in mind that business line calls aren't going to have access to the same tools or privileges (like mapping services, priority during a call surge, or the benefit of Kari's Law) as 9-1-1, so these should be tried only after 9-1-1 proves inaccessible.
2. Prioritize calling someone over being sure you're calling the right someone.
If you have to call a business line, don't waste time trying to make sure you have the right one. And while it's best to know your location when contacting emergency services, never put off calling because you aren't sure of your location. We can always help you figure out where you are, or put you in contact with the right jurisdiction-- but if nobody knows you need help, then it'll just be that much longer before we can get you help.
3. Go low-tech.
Believe it or not, before Doctor Who, those police boxes had an actual purpose. Far from simple relics of a pre-cell phone era, most police and fire line boxes are still in operation today. Knowing where the nearest boxes to your home, school, work, or regularly-frequented spots are can be a reliable backup plan in case of widespread cellular and landline failure.
Line boxes aren't the only direct-to-dispatch lines, either. Where do you think the emergency button in an elevator goes? Certainly not Grandma's house. Many colleges also have "panic buttons" scattered across their campuses, enabling immediate and direct contact in case of emergency.
4. Tour your town.
Knowing the address of your local police and fire stations is also helpful, as well as where they are in relation to your home. Memorize the route so that you could make it without a map, and whatever you do, don't rely on GPS. When traveling, make a note of all addresses on your itinerary, and familiarize yourself with the public safety departments nearest those locations.
5. Annoy the neighbors.
If calling has absolutely failed and you're on your own, your new best friend might just be that nosy neighbor who never minds her beeswax. So, make some noise. Try to get someone's attention.
If you can scream out the window what is happening ("I am being attacked!" , "Grandma is having a stroke!") and what you need (a ride to the ER, help fighting this feral racoon), you may be able to cause enough racket to attract some help.
Of course, this is contingent on several factors. For one, if you don't live near anyone, it might not be as effective. If you're camping in the woods, or if your rural cabin is out of shouting range of anyone who might come to investigate, consider (safely) storing some emergency flares within reach.
It also might not be in your best interest to make a whole lot of noise if there's, for example, an intruder in your house. For these sorts of situations, we advise callers find somewhere to hide, and take any measures possible to defend themselves. We encourage them to do what makes them safest, and to do what we instruct "only if it is safe to do so."
6. Be bossy.
In case of an emergency in public, don't just scream, "SOMEBODY HELP!" There is an unfortunate phenomenon called the bystander effect in which sometimes, people will abstain from getting involved in a situation. I personally doubt that, past a certain age, anybody is intentionally trying to withhold help. More likely they are either afraid for their own safety, or they simply assume that, given how many witnesses there are, someone else will help.
Instead, what you want to do is get people's attention directly, and give clear, assertive directions. "You, in the red shirt, with the bald head! Go get me some clean towels from the nearest housekeeping cart!" works a lot better than "this lady is giving birth!! Somebody do something!" Don't be afraid to be bossy; after all, this is an emergency, and nobody else is stepping up.
7. Don't wait for fate.
The absolute best advice I can give is this: don't make yourself vulnerable by taking for granted that the systems and safety nets we enjoy today will always be functioning and accessible. Along with knowing your local numbers and geography, consider taking first aid and CPR/AED classes. Keep emergency water, rations, first aid kits, and survival supplies in your vehicle and/or home.
As always, stay safe out there.
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