Strapped emergency services struggle to answer 911 calls

Feb 9, 2023
Health care staffing shortages and high turnover rates means patients end up waiting longer to get through emergency departments.
New Orleans EMS Lt. Noah Feldman helps his team members load a patient into an ambulance in November.
Shalina Chatlani/Gulf States Newsroom

COVID keeps surging. Are EMS providers at the breaking point?

Dec 3, 2020
First responder agencies are starting to buckle under constant pressure.
A worker decontaminates an ambulance.
John Moore/Getty Images

In this West Texas town, knowing your address can be the difference between life and death

Feb 11, 2020
First responders say finding people who call 911 on a map is harder than it seems.
In 2008, the city of Presidio passed an ordinance requiring residents to post their house numbers. But in rural areas, knowing your own address isn’t always as simple as it seems.
Carlos Morales/Marfa Public Radio

Your landline might not be there for you when the power goes out

Dec 5, 2018
Are IP phone lines as reliable as the old tech in emergencies?
Susan Schiff Faludi/Three Lions/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Barely anyone used text-to-911 during Hurricane Harvey

Aug 30, 2017
Only a handful of texts were sent to 911.
A Sheriff's boat rescues people after Hurricane Harvey caused heavy flooding in Houston, Texas on August 28, 2017.
Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images

Cellphone giants are sued for discounting 911 calls

Aug 10, 2016
A lawsuit claims cellphone discounts have left 911 call centers out of pocket.
AT&T says that the 911 call-related claims about the company are "baseless."
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images