Roller coasters are causing smart devices to accidentally call 911. Dispatchers say it’s taxing their system (TN)

Roller coasters are causing smart devices to accidentally call 911. Dispatchers say it’s taxing their system (TN)

by | Oct 20, 2021 | Comm Center News

In the popular tourism destination of Sevier County, the 911 dispatch center director estimates 60% of accidental calls come from amusement park rides.

SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. — Sevier County’s 911 dispatch center receives dozens of emergency calls a day from smartphones and smartwatches accidentally activated on rides at local amusement parks. It’s taxing dispatchers with added workload, the 911 center’s director said. 

From May until early October 2021, Sevier County received nearly 16,000 accidental 911 calls. Of those, 60%—nearly 10,000 —came from amusement park rides, 911 dispatch director Todd Spence said… 

Kyle Plush: New recommendations for Cincinnati’s 911 center (OH)

Kyle Plush: New recommendations for Cincinnati’s 911 center (OH)

by | Oct 20, 2021 | Comm Center News

CINCINNATI (FOX19) – When the city of Cincinnati agreed to pay $6 million to the family of Kyle Plush to settle a wrongful death lawsuit earlier this year, the city pledged to make more improvements to the 911 center.

The settlement specifies $250,000 for improvements to the 911 call center. The funds are to be used to hire outside experts to review the city’s 911 operations.

The oversight will last five years and the experts’ recommended improvements must be made.

“This settlement is about improving the safety of the citizens of Cincinnati,” Al Gerhardstein, lawyer for the Plush family, said…

Investigation of E-911 Center reveals complaints of hostile workplace, medical privacy violations, missing public records (TN)

by | Oct 20, 2021 | Comm Center News

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Kerston Abbott worked at the Montgomery County E-911 Center for nine years before she quit in October 2020, taking a massive pay cut and giving up her county benefits.

She said she never had any intention of leaving until Hope Petersen was appointed director of E-911 in January 2020, launching a tenure that employees have characterized as high-stress, unprofessional and hostile.

Petersen has worked as a dispatcher in Clarksville and Montgomery County since 1996. She was director of Robertson County dispatch from 2014-20 before being hired to her current position…

O’Fallon hires from within for new police chief, public safety director (IL)

by | Oct 20, 2021 | Comm Center News

Kirk Brueggeman, a police captain with 23 years of experience, has been named the next Director of Public Safety and the new chief of police in O’Fallon. In his role as director, he will be responsible for the city’s department that includes O’Fallon Police Fire Rescue, Emergency Medical Services and Metro East Communications, the 9-1-1 dispatch center for O’Fallon, Fairview Heights, and Shiloh. Brueggeman said he was grateful for the opportunity to serve and he looks forward to the challenge…

911 calls in Denver on hold: ‘It was frightening’ says caller (CO)

911 calls in Denver on hold: ‘It was frightening’ says caller (CO)

by | Oct 20, 2021 | Comm Center News

By Brian Maass

DENVER (KCNC) — Denver’s 911 system is out of compliance with nationally recognized standards for answering calls as thousands of callers are finding themselves on hold when they call in to report an emergency.

Andrew Dameron, Denver’s Director of Emergency Communications, said “Obviously no one in the Department of Safety wants anyone to end up on hold when they call 911.”

A CBS4 investigation found it’s happening frequently…