[alliejanoch]

I have had this experience in Maryland in 2009. Luckily it wasn't a very serious emergency in then end. There was a small explosion in our heater and I smelled smoke, so I wanted the fire department to check it out. I called 911 repeatedly on my cell and repeatedly got a busy signal, finally I went back in the house, got out my computer (before smart phones) and looked up the local fire department number. After they arrived they asked me if I called 911, and I said I couldn't get through and they said I needed to keep trying so they had it for their records?!? The fact that they asked sort of implies that this happens often (or maybe they just knew that I had called directly). It was a weird experience, and turned out that I was lucky that the heater hadn't completely exploded. I definitely don't think I will ever trust 911 again.