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OTTUMWA -- For the Facebook story of the day our fans wanted to know what happens when the 911 phone system shuts down and if there's a backup plan.

KTVO spoke with Wapello County Sheriff Don Kirkendall Thursday.  He says if the power goes out at the emergency call center, a generator kicks on within five minutes.  If that doesn’t work then there is a safety system in place.

“[The call] would automatically shift to the police department's answering point,” Kirkendall said.  “If by chance theirs were not working also then it starts rotating.  It goes first to Mahaska County then to Keokuk County, Jefferson County; all the surrounding counties.  It will eventually get to an answering point."