911: I dont give a S*** what happens to you
By MissGia
@MissGia (955)
United States
May 15, 2008 8:59pm CST
I was on my break at work watching MSNBC, and this story came on..about a woman who called 911 for help..after her ex boyfriend had assaulted and threatend her.
the woman sounded terrified, scared for her life.
Doing his job he dispatched the problem and law enforcement was on the way..after hanging up the phone, the 911 operator and in a heartless callous tone mutter "i dont give a S*** what happens to you.
I was utterly disgusted, and i hope this man was terminated from his job.
that is not an attitude to have at all when you work for 911, dispatching emergencies.
None the less it was just heartless.
Do you think there are ways to prevent more comment like this from 911 operators, who are and should be helpful and friendly in your time of need.
what do you think of this story?
3 responses
@xParanoiax (6987)
• United States
16 May 08
I watched a news video from the town it happened in on rawstory.com, and I was a bit disgusted myself.
You're not wrong, if you go into th business of answering people's calls for help, even if you don't have any personal concerns for the people your JOB is to be compassionate. It's in the job description for you to try to help the person as much as you can until the police can arrive to check out the situation.
Calm them down if you can.
Sure, a 911 operator may get a bit worn out by say...prank calls, but THAT wasn't just not being compassionate, that's not caring about the life of another human being in danger. Callous, as you said.
Don't get me wrong, I'm NOT a fan of the human species, but if someone was hurting I'd try to help them anyway.
That's what a decent person does.
The guy WAS sacked, btw. The police station itself was saying that "it was a gross error" -- though besides hiring someone who doesn't want the job, I'm not sure what their mistake really was.
1 person likes this
@dodoguy (1292)
• Australia
16 May 08
Hi MissGia,
The situation that you describe does sound a little unfortunate.
I'd personally be a bit cautious about demanding that the 911 operator be sacked.
Everyone has their weaknesses and frailties - if it was an oversight by the operator because he / she didn't realize that the comment could be heard, then that's a technical issue (although the operator should still be admonished for a poor attitude).
The worst thing that could happen IMO is for the operator to be crucified in a trial by media - where public outrage and out-of-control emotions distort proper investigation and assessment of the circumstances.
Anyway, it's not the sort of thing which should occur, and hopefully measures will be established to minimize the chance of similar things happening in future.
@MissGia (955)
• United States
16 May 08
If you cant handle people calling you horrified, scared, nervous wrecks. Then don't enter a business where you have to deal with those types of called.
What the man said was uncalled for and unethical.
In a job like that you are supposed to care about human life, not mutter things like " i dont give a s*** what happens to you"He deserves to be fired.
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
16 May 08
Well I'm a little confused by this...you said that he had hung up the phone, and then muttered the statement. if he was no longer on the phone with anyone, how do they know he said it? Where's the proof.
If it's true that is defeniatly a really cruel thing for someone in his position to say. Very unprofessional and very inhumaine!
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
16 May 08
ooo I see. so when he turned in his work tape for the day (or whatever they do, hehe), whoever checked it heard it and reported it? Did he not realize the tape was still recording?
