So rather than adding to my list of pet peeves and NO NOs, I thought I'd post some recent controversial 911 calls. I'm interested in your opinions on these.
Here is one where the operator has obviously had a long, hard shift. What do you think? I think he said what we 911 operators are thinking, but he shouldn't have said it. Really, though. When does parenting your pre teen daughter become a police problem? At 911, we have to tell people this is a parenting problem and not a police matter, unless the child is being physically violent. You can imagine how this pisses people off. They often ask me "Well, what am I supposed to do then?" Honestly? You're asking the wrong person. I don't have kids. I decided long ago I didn't want to raise monsters like that. So I didn't. I have no advice for you. Just that, well, she's 12. When I was 12 my dad was still using the belt on me. Maybe its time to invest in a belt? Thats all the advice you'll get from me on that! But what about those of you who have been there? Any advice?
Ok. This one, there is just no excuse for. I totally understand why this one made the news. I never said 911 operators were perfect. Like I mentioned last post, I work the graveyard shift. You're crazy if you think its not hard to stay awake at 4 am on some random Tuesday in November. (One of our statistically slowest times, FYI). I hit Starbucks every night on my way into work. They know me by sight and ask about my work at 911 and if I'm having my usual. Which is a grande dark cherry mocha, incase anyone is wondering. I pride myself on staying awake at a time when 90 percent of the population is alseep and blissfully unaware their car is being stolen.
I hope this guy got fired. I have a coworker who sleeps occasionally and it drives me crazy. He wakes up when he gets a call, but in my opinion, he is this situation waiting to happen. What do you think?
But this type of call is much more typical of 911 fails. Not operators mouthing off, or falling asleep, but callers making a ridiculous complaint. I understand that she is frustrated, but what part of her psyche says this is ok? Calling 911 about her fast food order? Kudos to the operator here, who told the woman that she was being stupid, although in much kinder language. And really, this is not an isolated incident. I think you, as a tax payer, would be really upset if you knew how many times every night I took a call like this!
In the comments, I'd like to know. Have you ever had to call 911? What type of emergency (or non emergency) was it? Don't be embarrassed. Like I said, day one. People have not been taught how to call 911. This is supposed to be an educational blog, so lets learn!
4 comments:
The reason I had to call 911 was because I hit a moose with my car on a highway. No injuries, but totalled car on the highway.
Great blog!
Love the cheeseburger one!
I called when I was 5 because I couldn't find the scotch tape when I was wrapping a present for my mom! Ooops! ;)
Called another time when a recently x boyfriend threatened to commit suicide. They went to his appartement and he was eating dinner, and got mad at me for calling the cops. Moron, no wonder he was single!
I called once about 2 years ago. I was driving down the highway in a snowstorm and saw a pick up truck literally flipping down the road. Unfortunately, I was in an unfamiliar and extremely rural area. As in 20-30 miles between exits. Anyway, all I could tell the operator was that I was somewhere outside of a certain town. Luckily other drivers had already called in who knew where they were, but I sure felt dumb. Now I actually pay attention to the exit signs I'm passing. lol. Any suggestions for giving location information when you're out in the middle of nowhere?
By the way the family in the accident was ok. They hit some ice and the truck went airborne but they all walked away thankfully.
Once on Christmas morning at the airport I went to call the police because a man was freaking out in the line. Someone accidently bumped him and he said it was because he was a black man (umm... he was the whitest black man I have ever seen... REALLY!). The man that bumped him apologized and he was still freaking out. A supervisor approached him and he got chest to chest with her. She's an old lady! This guy was freaking out that he was a Desert Storm Vet and he fought for all of us and this was the way we were treating him. Oh and throwing F-Bombs every other word, in front of families on Christmas MORNING! All for an accidental bump! I pulled my phone number list because I figured it was a local airport police number... took me a while to figure out that I just dial 911. (rolling eyes). Let's just say he spent Christmas day in lock-up. ;-)
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