The emergency number used to call ambulances and the fire service was out of action for more than an hour.

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Call 911 or the emergency number in your area.

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Kent Fire Brigade has previously treated every 999 call as an emergency but senior officers are concerned at the number of hoax calls.

BBC: NEWS | UK | England | Kent | Firefighters could 'ignore' calls

To complicate matters, only 77% of 911 call centers are in compliance with the wireless locating technology, according to the National Emergency Number Association, a public safety industry group.

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