Please Stay on the Line: When 911 Can’t Answer Right Away

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Few moments feel more helpless than dialing 911 and hearing a recorded message instead of a call-taker’s voice. For most people, that pause triggers fear, frustration, and uncertainty—yet behind the scenes, an entire system is working at full capacity to route your call and get help on the way. In this episode of LifeLine, we explore why recorded messages occur, what’s happening inside your local PSAP when lines are overloaded, and what callers should do in those stressful moments. Episode 93 pulls back the curtain on the unseen mechanics that keep emergency communications going, even when every second feels far too long.

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