The present invention provides a method and Mobile Switching Center (MSC) for re-establishing a call in a communication system. The MSC receives from a network element a callback request to re-establish a call, such as an emergency call, between the network element and a mobile unit. The callback request includes a callback number. The MSC determines whether the callback number can be used to alert the mobile unit. If the callback number cannot be used to alert the mobile unit, the MSC determines an identification number of the mobile unit. The MSC then alerts the mobile unit by utilizing the identification number of the mobile unit and re-establishes the call on the original call path between the mobile unit and the network element.