Use Your Old Phone

I temporarily lost my cell phone last week and was worried I might have an emergency. Then I remembered the following. Old cell phones may not be able to use high-speed data networks, you can’t call any other number, and can’t receive calls, but you can call 911 in an emergency. Federal law requires that cell phones must be able to call 911 at all times. As long as an old cell phone is functional, it can be used as an emergency phone.
Tip, if you cannot speak, call 911, wait for an answer, then use your telephone's keypad to "talk" to the dispatcher. Press 1 if you need police, 2 for fire, and 3 for an ambulance.

For landline service that has been discontinued, service is not required for land lines. There is no federal law that requires this. However, depending on your area, 911 may still be available. You may have 911 access on a land line if your area mandates a “soft” dial tone for emergency access. Some large carriers may also provide it. If you do not have a dial tone, you probably do not have this as a soft tone sounds the same as a regular tone, but you can always call 911 to test and explain why you called.

Incidentally, FCC rules require all wireless carriers and other providers of text messaging applications in the United States to deliver emergency texts to call centers that request them.

PS - A friend gave me an old cell phone to use as a backup, which I keep on my bed-stand. Problem solved. Nice to have friends.