Systems and methods are provided for connecting a caller to an alternate telephone number, such as 9-1-1, when a call to a private response center does not result in immediate assistance, or when it is recognized by the private response center that emergency services are needed at the caller's location. In one example, when the call to the private response center does not connect, the private response center may explicitly reject the call, causing the calling device to take action to call an emergency services telephone number, if needed. In another example, the call to the private response center may reach a customer service representative who recognizes that emergency services are needed. A signal is then sent to the calling device causing the device to call 9-1-1 directly.