More than 100,000 people called the Mercer County 911 dispatch center last year, with problems ranging from cats stuck in trees to tornadoes, fires and car accidents.

Now, with recent steps taken by county commissioners, it's guaranteed there will always be someone to answer the phone in an emergency.

Thursday, commissioners approved an inter-governmental agreement with Lawrence County to provide a backup plan if the Mercer dispatch center is ever unmanned for any reason.