With apologies to Public Enemy...911 is a joke in your town!

[MScott1851]

Saturday night coming home, DH and I were driving along and came upon a 4 car accident on I-240 seconds after it happened. No one was badly injured, but one woman was crawling out and was actually lying in the middle of the expressway.

I immediately pulled over and jumped out while he called 911, and after it rang, he got: "Thank you for calling the Shelby County emergency number. All operators are busy, but someone will be with you shortly. Please do not hang up as this will only prolong your wait time." After about 30 seconds someone came on the line for him to talk to.

I know it wasn't life or death, but what if someone was chasing me with a knife and here I was on hold?

 

[Rutt and Tuke]

It is scary to think about. That happens around here when people make a lot of nuisance calls to 911.

 

[MScott1851]

People WILL call 911 for just about anything...some of the cops who come in where I work will tell us stories about some of the complaints... Like the lady who called because she couldn't find her false teeth...Or the 21 year old who called for an ambulance, and when the crew got there, she was actually having a PARTY, so someone could have driven her to the hospital, and on top of that, her medical emergency was that she was constipated...they got a refusal on that one.

I bet Saturday night is a busy 911 night anywhere, but probably moreso on a holiday weekend...I'm just glad no one was badly hurt. It happened about a mile from the hospital where I work, and I called up there after we got home to check on that lady in particular.

 

[Rutt and Tuke]

I have no idea why it just posted the same post from me again.

That is sad and hilarious at the same time about those calls.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

I wonder how many people "got" the title of this thread

 

[preshi]

All I know is now that song is stuck in my head.

I know the few times I've called 911 from my cell it has taken upwards of 5 minutes to get someone on the phone. All cell phone 911 calls here go to the CHP, it is really ridiculous!

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by WebmasterAlex
I wonder how many people "got" the title of this thread

I got it. I started to hum the song as soon as I read the title.

 

[kilee]

I had to call 911 about 2 months ago. I was sitting on my deck when my neighboor come pulling into his driveway like a maniac. Anyhow, he was screaming at his 6 yr old to call 911---- so I went to see what was wrong-- turned out his 18 month old passed out and wasn't breathing. I didn't stay to find out why-- I just called 911. It took almost 15 rings for someone to answer. Then they wanted a complete background before they'd send out the call--- it was ridiculous. From the time I called until the call went across the EMT scanners was almost 3 minutes. That's precious time when an infant isn't breathing. Thankfully DH and the neighboor on the other side of us are both advanced trained EMT's and they began treatment right away.

 

[minmate]

That is just too scary to think about!

 

[vhoffman]

I'm sure 911 responds as quickly as they can, but response times do vary. Getting through is one hurdle, convincing the operator you have an emergency is another. However, that's one of the reasons I'm hesitant to switch to one of the new VOIP phone services, such as Vonage. The savings would be considerable--in our case, about $50 a month. However, the VOIP services do not connect you directly with 911, you go through a "middleman" of sorts. When you dial 911 a phone company rep from Vonage (or whoever your provider is) answers. They are not trained to give emergency advice, such as CPR, etc. They transfer your call to the 911 dispatcher in your area. That is, if you have given them a home address. Then, when the 911 dispatcher answers, she doesn't know where your location is. All that shows up on her screen is the Vonage phone number, since they are the ones who placed the call. You must be able to state your location. Well, what if you're not able to? Or perhaps you don't know your location (visiting, etc.) What if its a child? That's one of the features of 911 we've come to rely on. We recently had a first-hand experience with just how important this service really is. Several months ago my MIL had a stroke. She was alone and couldn't talk. She managed to drag herself to the phone and punched in 911. When she couldn't respond to the dispatcher's questions the immediately sent out police, a fire truck, and ambulance. She was taken to the hospital where she received prompt care and is now alive and well (although in a wheelchair) thanks to 911. What if she had one of those VOIP phone plans? I've thought many times about switching but I always decided to keep our traditional phone service for emergencies. Its something to think about.

 

[lux]

The 911 cell phone system is really up and running here. You will get faster response with the land lines.

You'll be amazed at the number of people who tie up traffic with their little fender benders. Instead of pulling off to the shoulder, they tie up a lane. People are so afraid of litigation, that common sense doesn't apply. So they call 911 and another slow commute to work happens.

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by kilee
I had to call 911 about 2 months ago. I was sitting on my deck when my neighboor come pulling into his driveway like a maniac. Anyhow, he was screaming at his 6 yr old to call 911---- so I went to see what was wrong-- turned out his 18 month old passed out and wasn't breathing. I didn't stay to find out why-- I just called 911. It took almost 15 rings for someone to answer. Then they wanted a complete background before they'd send out the call--- it was ridiculous. From the time I called until the call went across the EMT scanners was almost 3 minutes. That's precious time when an infant isn't breathing. Thankfully DH and the neighboor on the other side of us are both advanced trained EMT's and they began treatment right away.

Where I live you do not call 911 for an ambulance...you call the central number for the fire dept and they send one right out...if you do call 911 then they take all your info and then call the firehouse themselves so it takes much longer. I have been put on hold the last 2 times I have called 911 though and I was just glad I wasn't being chased by a knife carrying thug and put on hold!
Our ambulances our all volunteer and out of maybe the 3 or 4 times I have needed one at our house they have never taken more than 7 minutes to get here from the time of the cal...the first thing they take is your address and then before your otehr info they dispatch the ambulance and then they come back on the phone and take the rest of the info...they are really great.

 

[Virgo10]

Because of where I live (busy street that intersects with an even busier street ) I've had to call 911 numerous times since we moved here. What's really important is to try and stay calm and then give them all the important facts first.

Where the problem is. Give a specific location if you can.
The condition of the person/people. (Are they breathing? Is there a fire? That type of thing.)
What kind of a problem it is. Car accident, fire, injury, etc.
How many people involved.

Then you can move on to your personal observation. About two years ago we had a guy go head on to the telephone pole at the end of my street. I told them they had to be there NOW! They arrived in less than 5 minutes and I honestly don't think they could have gotten there any faster.

I live in a pretty big city and have never been put on hold for 911. That's just wrong!

Roberta

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

Around here, if you call 911 from your cell phone, it defaults to the 911 area in which your phone is registered, not where you are. Then the operators try to transfer you to the right one, but usually lose you. Real helpful.

 

[dbogen]

I am a 911 operator/dispatcher here in our town. We rarely let 911 ring more than 4 times and if all of our lines are busy (rarely) it rolls over to the next town. We are required to use medical flip cards to ensure we send the right people ( emts only vs Paramedics and ems) they also allow us to give the caller pre arrival instructions to help the patient before trained medical helps arrives. Sorry you have had suck bad experiences. We have all joked about puttng on the voice mail "press 1 for Police... press 2 for fire......." but didn't think it really happened.

Deanna

 

[depplyinluv]

Originally posted by WebmasterAlex
I wonder how many people "got" the title of this thread

i began singing it too!

 

[TNCarole]

Now I know I'm old... I had no idea that was the title of a song.