Abstract: A personal emergency response system in which a hand held portable transmitter (12) activates a base unit (14) interfaced with the telephone network (16) to dial 9-1-1 and permit direct communications with the operator (18) at the public safety answering point even though the user (10) is unable to reach a telephone (36). The transmitter (12) activates the base unit (14) as well as optional remote units (48) located throughout the user's residence or place of business. The base unit (14) and remote units (48) include speaker-phone communication capabilities which permit two-way communications between the user (10) and the 9-1-1 system operator (18).