Comments | prismkitty: I do still exist! I haven't abandoned, thee, oh wonderous LJ!!

prismkitty

I do still exist! I haven't abandoned, thee, oh wonderous LJ!!

Apr 10, 2006 08:37

**looks at subject line** I make myself giggle. ^_^

On NPR this morning, I caught the end of a story which horrified me a bit. A six-year old called 911 (I'm assuming 911, I didn't actually hear that part) and told the operator his mom had collapsed. The operator told him he shouldn't be playing with the phone!! >_< I will check on NPR online ( Read more... )

rant, dylan

Comments 8

philosophy_eyes April 10 2006, 13:52:29 UTC

Hehehe, yay lures, corruption, and smooches!

*snuggle*

Well, people who work 911 are kinda strange, in that they really should be more mindful of the fact that they are working an emergency line hehe.

*poke* I need to finish up some things before math, but take care sweety,
-Dylan

prismkitty April 10 2006, 16:56:51 UTC

It just bothers me because I don't think they should be judging if little kids are pranking. Send people out for all of them just in case, dammit.

**huggles!** Have fun at classes sweetie! I'll see you tonight. ^.^

st_germain April 10 2006, 20:50:12 UTC

I was originally horrified by the story too, but a couple of things to keep in mind...
-- upwards of 30% of calls to 911 are prank calls
-- The supervisor for the 911 operator stuck by her and said she had a long history as being a very good operator. (she said it was still a tragedy and she wasn't making excuses, but she was going to stick by the operator, I think that says something)

When taken out of context, it sounds horrendous. But when you find out just how many prank calls they get, how is the operator supposed to know the difference? What if an ambulance is dispatched to a prank call and then a real call comes in, but the ambulance doesn't get there in time since it was out on the prank call? Is that any better? Bottom line is that the operators have a very tough job, they have to make some tough decisions and unfortunately this operator made the wrong one. A woman lost her life because of it and that is something the operator is going to have to live with.

prismkitty April 12 2006, 18:13:39 UTC

Yes, I am aware that they get prank calls. I just wonder what it was about this call that made her think it was a prank. If it was just the caller's age and/or method of speech, then I have no sympathy for her.

It is a point in her favor that the boss is sticking by her, though.

dianabunny April 10 2006, 23:19:52 UTC

Will you lure away cute college girls, too?

In regards to that AWFUL story, I don't care if she thought it was a prank- it would be much better to have sent someone out to check! I mean, police go check out NOISE disturbances.... This story just devastates me.

prismkitty April 12 2006, 18:09:27 UTC

Of course! ^_~

I wonder what was it about the call that made her think it was a prank?

afterthought926 April 20 2006, 07:33:37 UTC

Okay, personally I'm guessing the problem was probably due partly to dialect issues.
The boy didn't understand (possibly from panic or from some people’s not so clear speech) "Where's Mr. Turner?" and he said "Right here"... Confusion and frustration in lack of understanding of each other ( ... )

prismkitty April 20 2006, 12:32:08 UTC

Hi, Patti! ^_^

I haven't read a transcript of the call, I've just read general reports of the situation. I agree that training on how to better communicate with children would be good. Also, her assuming there would be a father figure around and that he would have the same last name is pretty presumptuous on her part.

It is horrible they said they would send the police. I don't know if either the police were told but they didn't bother to rush or if the dispatcher was lying. I really hope it wasn't the second.

Thanks for posting! ^_^