SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING CONTINUED ANSWERING OF SPECIAL NUMBER CALLS WHEN A PRIMARY PSAP IS INCAPACITATED

1 . A method for providing continued answering of special number calls intended for delivery via a plurality of communication networks to a special number answering position when a primary special number answering position is incapacitated; the method comprising:

(a) determining at least one pre-identified alternate special number answering position;

(b) ascertaining that said primary special number answering position is incapacitated; and

(c) directing each routing entity of each respective communication network of said plurality of communication networks to route calls intended for said primary special number answering position to at least one selected alternate special number answering position of said at least one pre-identified alternate special number answering position; wherein once a particular situation has been begun to be handled by a selected alternate special number answering position, the situation remains as handled by the selected special number answering position even though the primary special number answering position may be reinstituted as operational.

2 . The method for providing continued answering of special number calls as recited in claim 1 wherein said primary special number answering position is responsible for a primary assigned geographic area, and wherein said at least one selected alternate special number answering position is a plurality of alternate special number answering positions; each respective selected alternate special number answering position of said at least one selected alternate special number answering position being responsible for a respective portion of said primary assigned geographic area.

3 . The method for providing continued answering of special number calls as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of communication networks includes at least one of a Wireless Access Network (WAN), a wireless Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) network, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network.

4 . The method for providing continued answering of special number calls as recited in claim 1 wherein the primary special number answering position is ascertained to be incapacitated by at least one member of the set of conditions consisting of: abandoned, diverted, and busy.

5 . The method for providing continued answering of special number calls as recited in claim 2 wherein said plurality of communication networks includes at least one of a Wireless Access Network (WAN), a wireless Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) network, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network.

6 . The method for providing continued answering of special number calls as recited in claim 2 wherein the primary special number answering position is ascertained to be incapacitated by at least one member of the set of conditions consisting of: abandoned, diverted, and busy.

7 . A method for providing continued answering of emergency service request calls intended for delivery via a plurality of communication networks to an emergency service answering position when a primary emergency service answering position is incapacitated; the method comprising:

(a) determining at least one pre-identified alternate special number answering position;

(b) ascertaining that said primary special number answering position is incapacitated; and

(c) directing each routing entity of each respective communication network of said plurality of communication networks to route calls intended for said primary special number answering position to at least one selected alternate special number answering position of said at least one pre-identified alternate special number answering position; wherein once a particular situation has been begun to be handled by a selected alternate special number answering position, the situation remains as handled by the selected special number answering position even though the primary special number answering position may be reinstituted as operational.

8 . The method for providing continued answering of emergency service request calls as recited in claim 7 wherein said primary emergency service answering position is responsible for a primary assigned geographic area, and wherein said at least one selected alternate emergency service answering position is a plurality of alternate emergency service answering positions; each respective selected alternate emergency service answering position of said at least one selected alternate emergency service answering position being responsible for a respective portion of said primary assigned geographic area.

9 . The method for providing continued answering of emergency service request calls as recited in claim 7 wherein said plurality of communication networks includes at least one of a Wireless Access Network (WAN), a wireless Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) network, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network.

10 . The method for providing continued answering of special number calls as recited in claim 7 wherein the primary emergency service answering position is ascertained to be incapacitated by at least one member of the set of conditions consisting of: abandoned, diverted, and busy.

11 . The method for providing continued answering of emergency service request calls as recited in claim 8 wherein said plurality of communication networks includes at least one of a Wireless Access Network (WAN), a wireless Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) network, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network.

12 . The method for providing continued answering of special number calls as recited in claim 8 wherein the primary emergency service answering position is ascertained to be incapacitated by at least one member of the set of conditions consisting of: abandoned, diverted, and busy.

13 . A system for providing continued answering of emergency service request calls intended for delivery via a plurality of communication networks to an emergency service answering position when a primary emergency service answering position is incapacitated; the system comprising:

(a) at least one pre-identified alternate emergency service answering position coupled with said plurality of communication networks; and

(b) a respective at least one routing entity coupled with each respective communication network of said plurality of communication networks; each said respective at least one routing entity effecting routing of emergency service request calls intended for said primary emergency service answering position to at least one selected alternate emergency service answering position of said at least one pre-identified alternate emergency service answering position when said primary emergency service operating position is incapacitated; wherein once a particular situation has been begun to be handled by a selected alternate special number answering position, the situation remains as handled by the selected special number answering position even though the primary special number answering position may be reinstituted as operational.

14 . The system for providing continued answering of emergency service request calls as recited in claim 13 wherein said primary emergency service answering position is responsible for a primary assigned geographic area, and wherein said at least one selected alternate emergency service answering position is a plurality of alternate emergency service answering positions; each respective selected alternate emergency service answering position of said at least one selected alternate emergency service answering position being responsible for a respective portion of said primary assigned geographic area.

15 . The system for providing continued answering of emergency service request calls as recited in claim 13 wherein said plurality of communication networks includes at least one of a Wireless Access Network (WAN), a wireless Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) network, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network.

16 . The system for providing continued answering of emergency service request calls as recited in claim 13 wherein the primary emergency service answering position is ascertained to be incapacitated by at least one member of the set of conditions consisting of: abandoned, diverted, and busy.

17 . The system for providing continued answering of emergency service request calls as recited in claim 14 wherein said plurality of communication networks includes at least one of a Wireless Access Network (WAN), a wireless Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) network, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network.

18 . The system for providing continued answering of emergency service request calls as recited in claim 14 wherein the primary emergency service answering position is ascertained to be incapacitated by at least one member of the set of conditions consisting of: abandoned, diverted, and busy.