An emergency routing number (ELRN) is assigned to each switch in a wired communication network. When a switch of the wired communication network routes an emergency call to a Public Service Answering Point (PSAP), the switch sends the ELRN as the calling party number and provides the PSAP with a hardware identifier (HID). The HID identifies, at the switch, the landline connecting the switch to the wired phone initiating the emergency call. If the emergency call drops, the PSAP performs a call back using the ELRN as the called party number. The switch that routed the emergency call to the PSAP receives the call back. The PSAP also sends the HID to the switch. When a switch receives its ELRN as the called party number, the switch recognizes an emergency call back situation and routes the emergency call back on the landline identified by the HID.