Riverside County residents should be aware that a technical outage is affecting the ability of certain cellphone users to place emergency 911 calls this Thursday morning. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department announced the problem on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, noting that the disruption is limited to some mobile devices and does not impact landline service.
What callers should do
Anyone who attempts to dial 911 and receives no response, or who hears a recorded message indicating the line is unavailable, is instructed to use the county’s alternate emergency contact number: 951‑776‑1078. This number connects directly to the Sheriff’s Department and will route callers to the appropriate emergency responders.
Cause and expected restoration
The Sheriff’s Department has not yet identified the root cause of the outage. Officials are working with telecommunications providers and relevant agencies to diagnose the issue and restore full 911 functionality as quickly as possible. No specific timeline for resolution has been provided at this time.
Impact on public safety
While the outage is limited to certain cellphone users, the department emphasizes that emergency services remain operational for landline calls and for those who can reach the alternate number. Residents are urged to remain calm, verify that their 911 call goes through, and, if it does not, to immediately dial the backup number.
How the community can stay informed
The Sheriff’s Department will continue to post updates on its X account and on the official Riverside County website. Residents are encouraged to monitor these channels for the latest information regarding the outage’s status and any additional instructions.
Background on 911 infrastructure
Riverside County’s 911 system is part of a statewide network that routes emergency calls to the appropriate dispatch centers. Outages, though rare, can occur due to equipment failures, software glitches, or issues with telecommunications partners. The county’s emergency management protocols include redundant pathways, such as the alternate phone number provided, to ensure that critical services remain reachable.
Reminder for preparedness
Local officials remind all residents to keep a written list of emergency contacts, including the alternate 911 number, in an easily accessible place. Families should discuss a plan for what to do if a primary emergency line is unavailable, reinforcing the community’s resilience in the face of unexpected technical problems.
For further details, residents can contact the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department directly at 951‑776‑1078 or follow their official X account for real‑time updates.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
