Emergency services in Massachusetts were interrupted after the state’s 911 system experienced a major outage.
The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security announced at 3:43 p.m. that the system had been resumed hours after the outage hit the entire state. Massachusetts is currently experiencing a heatwave – an increasing severity of the situation.
“The public may not resume calling 911 for emergencies,” the office said on X. “The State 911 Department continues to investigate the cause of the disruption. We will provide more info when available.”
As of 4:45 p.m. EST, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy had not publicly commented on the outage.
“This could be very temporary and we’re waiting to hear a little later about how long it will last,” said Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox said in a statement, per WHDH. “But we thought it was important, particularly with the heat that we’re about to experience to make sure that we give people the opportunity to know what’s going on in regards to the 911 system.”
A public safety alert was sent via text message to state residents, warning them of the issues and advising them to call local authorities in case of emergency.
"Massachusetts 9-1-1 SERVICES are currently down Statewide. Delays in public safety response may occur,” read the message, per USA Today. “CALL local Public Safety business line directly if you or others are having an emergency. More information will be provided when available.''
Officials in Brookline asked residents not to test the system by calling 911 during the outage.
"When you dial 911 we receive a location and the number that called but are unable to communicate,” the city said in an alert message to its community members. “Dispatch is trying to call back all numbers that call 911 via calling back on the business line. Please DO NOT call 911 to test it out as it takes time away from calling back other callers.”
Emergency medical services and police were able to use other internal systems to communicate during the outage.
The 911 outage did not impact Rhode Island, New Hampshire, or other states in the region.
Parts of Massachusetts were forecasted to experience temperatures of 105 degrees or higher until June 21. Only coastal parts of the state – such as Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket – will avoid temperatures over 90 degrees. Nighttime temperature will also be higher than normal, ranging from the mid- to low-70s, per WCVB.
State residents have been advised to take steps to prevent heat-related injuries, check on elderly or vulnerable family members and neighbors, and avoid leaving children or pets alone in cars for any amount of time.
Amid the heatwave, more than 20 beaches across the state were closed on June 18 due to cyanobacteria bacterial blooms.
