A line-based 911 system and method that completes an emergency call from a telephone to a PSAP comprising a multiplicity of operator stations connected by individual lines to a telephone switching system. An emergency call is routed to the termination ports of the switching system associated with a PSAP. Each of the termination ports is connected to one of the multiplicity of operator stations via its associated line, thereby establishing a path from the telephone to the operator station, the CPN of the calling telephone is delivered to the selected operator station and the operator station obtains location information of the telephone in accordance with the CPN, which is then displayed.