A personal emergency communication system includes a user-carried portable
communication unit having a single button, which when depressed by the
user, wirelessly sends a call request signal to a base unit. The base
unit initiates a telephone call through a dial-up network to an emergency
response center and places an operator at the emergency center in
wireless voice communication with the portable unit when the call is
connected. The telephone number to be called can be stored in at least
one of the portable unit and the base unit. A speech synthesizer
operating in combination with automated voice messages stored in at least
one of the base unit and portable unit are used to advise the user of the
status of the call, and to provide the user with verbal confirmation that
functional systems of the base unit are operating properly.