911 Experiences

[CitiusFortius]

I lived in Pittsburgh (not the burbs, but the city of Pittsburgh) for a few years. I had a car stolen and was told to call 911 (stupid right?)

So it definitely took a few minutes to get through to someone. All the while I thought "what if it was an actual emergency?"

So that's my story, I'd hope small town Indiana would be more efficient. Thank the Lord I haven't had to call 911 yet to know for sure.

 

[Militarypol21]

I called 911 numerous times in Marion County for back-up when I use to work Loss Prevention at Lafayette Square Mall back in 2006 - 2011 for shoplifters pulling knives, wanting to fight, fleeing on foot, medical calls, etc and numerous times got something like this:

"All 911 dispatchers are assisting other callers. If it is safe to do so please remain on the line and your call will be aswered shortly. If you are in danger please seak shelter and attempt your call again later."

I think the longest I have waited was 10-minutes and it was for a medical call when a customer was having a seizure in the store.

Now that I am in law enforcement I hang out in dispatch quite often and I can see how a single dispatcher can get overwhelmed with calls pretty quickly and there may be some wait time if it gets crazy enough.

 

[Doug]

911 in Hendricks County (witnessed a serious crash) - answered within a couple of rings, and had LE and medic there in 6 minutes.

911 in Marion County (guy drove into Eagle Creek Res.) - answered in a couple of rings, and had folks on-scene in about 5 minutes.

5 minutes is a LONG time when someone is dying.

It's also a long time when someone is kicking down your front door!
But, I think I'm preaching to choir when I say that here.

 

[mcolford]

It's also a long time when someone is kicking down your front door!
But, I think I'm preaching to choir when I say that here.

No the first minute is long if you are prepared, after that its just sit and wait for LE to arrive.

 

[Frank_N_Stein]

One time I accidently set off my house alarm and it took the police 15 minutes before they showed up.

It takes about 7 minutes for the alarm company to call it in to dispatch.

 

[mcolford]

It takes about 7 minutes for the alarm company to call it in to dispatch.

Valid point. Then if there is a case of a keyholder, dispatch will try to reach a keyholder (usually only with businesses)... A lot more to it than ADT tells you in the commercials.

 

[bluewraith]

5 minutes is a LONG time when someone is dying.

Yes, it is. Ambulance and Fire (and Police too, but rarely seen) still have to drive with Due Regard though. If the ambulance crashes on the way, it will take even longer for help to arrive.

Also, accurate descriptions to dispatch are a big factor.
"My husband just fell and I need help getting him up" is not the same as "My 85yo husband just fell and is not breathing".

Not trying to hurt anyones feelings, but public in general does not know what constitutes an "emergency". If the call is not life threatening, I am not going to (excessively) risk my life and the life of my partner to get there 30 seconds sooner. On the other hand, if it is a life emergency, the training pays off.