Buffalo Dispatcher Fired

[CalPolyTechnique]

These types of issues with emergency dispatchers have always infuriated me. Glad this person got the boot. They should never be allowed to work in the field again.


(CNN) A 911 dispatcher who mishandled a call from a Buffalo supermarket manager during the fatal May shooting was fired on Thursday, the Erie County Department of Personnel confirmed to CNN.

The 911 dispatcher, whose name was not released, had been on paid administrative leave since May 16, the department confirmed. A hearing was held on May 30 to "terminate the 911 call taker who acted totally inappropriately, not following protocol," according to County Executive Mark Poloncarz.

Latisha Rogers, the assistant office manager at the Tops Friendly Markets in Buffalo, was working at the store when an 18-year-old White gunman entered and began firing. The gunman, whose rampage authorities say was fueled by racist hate, shot 13 people, 10 of whom died.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/03/us/buffalo-dispatcher-fired-after-mishandling-911-call/index.html

 

[Runwildboys]

Even if it's not protocol, common sense should tell you that, since you're not in the caller's situation, you shouldn't tell them that the shooter can't hear them. What an imbecile.

 

[Reality]

They need to have a way for 911 callers to immediately request a new dispatcher at any time up to 3 times by the pressing # or * buttons.

Then every call recording where the caller requested a new dispatcher should be flagged for review by an independent reviewer who determines how to improve those types of calls or if the dispatcher was not following protocols.

 

[Runwildboys]

They need to have a way for 911 callers to immediately request a new dispatcher at any time up to 3 times by the pressing # or * buttons.

Then every call recording where the caller requested a new dispatcher should be flagged for review by an independent reviewer who determines how to improve those types of calls or if the dispatcher was not following protocols.

I don't think most people calling 911 are in the state of mind to think to request a different dispatcher, but there should be some method of better oversight.

 

[Ranched]

Heartbreaking!

Latisha Rogers~
"I tried to call 911, and I was whispering because I could hear him close by," Latisha told the outlet. "And when I whispered on the phone to 911, the dispatcher started yelling at me, saying, 'Why are you whispering? You don't have to whisper.' And I'm trying to tell her, like, 'Ma'am, he's in the store. He's shooting. It's an active shooter. I'm scared for my life.' And she said something crazy to me, and then she hung up in my face. And I had to call my boyfriend to call 911."

 

[Warick]

I don't think most people calling 911 are in the state of mind to think to request a different dispatcher, but there should be some method of better oversight.

If they don't have this already in place, it should be like a call center, where supervisors listen in on calls, and can take over when needed, especially with how this was handled.

 

[Runwildboys]

If they don't have this already in place, it should be like a call center, where supervisors listen in on calls, and can take over when needed, especially with how this was handled.

That would be a good idea, but in some areas that probably means doubling the amount of employees in the 911 call center. I'd be fine with that, personally.