When 9-1-1 Cellcom Calls Failed, Owner Rings Southern Door, WI, Chief to Report Fire

    May 28, 2025
    Southern Door Fire Chief Rich Olson said his call to 9-1-1 using Cellcom also failed.

    When none of the 9-1-1 calls to report a camper fire connected, the owner called the fire chief on his cellphone.

    The five failed attempts came from phones that use Cellcom as a provider, according to WBAY.

    Southern Door Fire Chief Rich Olson said he received a call about the well-involved camper on his personal phone. When he tried using his Cellcom line, his call to 9-1-1 didn't connect either. 

    Since the phone outage started May 14, the provider told customers that 9-1-1 services would still work. But, they didn't.

    After the incident, Cellcom issued a statement: “We are sorry to hear about the recent camper fire incident in Algoma. There are longstanding, industry-wide federal protocols in place to protect access to 911 during any carrier-specific outage. These protocols ensure that emergency calls are rerouted through other available networks during any carrier outage. We followed those protocols in full and our systems remained in compliance since the outage began.”

    The cause of the fire that destroyed the camper remains under investigation. 

    About the Author

    Susan Nicol | News Editor

    Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues. 

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