It is Christmas and all through dispatch, not a single telecommunicator is still, for all the phones and radios do not go silent.
The average number of events for Christmas day over the last five years is 59. As we all would wish for a lower number, unfortunately emergencies do and will continue to happen. Many times, there is more than one emergency taking place within the same timeframe. Often, one single emergency may require the response of multiple different disciplines of responders.
As the phone rings…
Dispatcher: “9-1-1, where is your emergency?”
Caller: “Hi, is Santa there?”
Dispatcher: “He isn’t here right now, what is your name?”
Caller: “Conner.”
Dispatcher: “Hi, Conner. My name is Brad. Is there anyone else there with you?
Brad can tell that Conner is a younger child.
Conner: “No, just my mommy but she is sleeping. It is cold so I put another blanket on her feet. She won’t wake up and I put on my boots! She said Santa was coming but he is not here. The cookies are gone but there is still milk in the glass. And guess what, there is a bike in the kitchen!
Brad: “A bike! That is a great surprise. Can you take the phone to your mom?
Conner: “No, she is sleeping.”
Brad: “I know, and it will be OK. I just need to talk to her for a second. That was very nice of you to put a blanket on her feet.”
Conner: “Yeah, her toes get cold.”
Brad: “Can you tell me your address?”
Conner: “Yes, it is 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10.”
Brad: “Do you know what street you live on?
Conner: “It is where the dirt starts”
While Brad was talking with Conner his partners were helping get law enforcement on the way. The cell phone that Conner was using mapped close to an address in town.
Brad: “What is your mommy’s name?”
Conner: “Beth.”
Brad: “Can you go and see if mommy is still sleeping?”
Conner: “She is, and I am sitting on my new bike. Is Santa there yet?
Brad: “Santa is…
As the location of Santa was about to be revealed, Brad was able to hear mom approaching asking Conner what he was doing. Mom took the phone.
Mom: “Hello?”
Brad: “Hello, this is 9-1-1 emergency. I have been speaking to Conner. He called looking for Santa. Is everything OK there?”
Mom: “I am so sorry. Yes, everything is fine. He is just up extra early this morning. He has this old phone that we allow him to play games and watch videos on. I didn’t know it could still call out.”
Brad: “I am happy all is OK. Could you verify your address?
Mom was able to verify her address and name.
Brad: “There is an officer on the way. When Conner wouldn’t wake you up we started one just in case.”
Mom: “I do appreciate the response, but we are all ok. I just didn’t know that the phone could call anyone.”
As Brad was explaining how any older phone that was charged and could still reach a tower, or Wi-Fi could still call 9-1-1 emergency an officer was pulling into the driveway.
As the phone rings…
Josh: “9-1-1, Where is your emergency?”
Caller: “We were traveling through and came up on an accident!”
Josh verified the location.
Josh: “Are there any injuries?”
Caller: “I am sure there are, looks like they went through the fence and rolled a few times.”
Josh: “Do you know how many people are in the car?”
Caller: “I am walking up now; this mud makes it hard to do anything quick. Looks like one is out and they said the other one has their leg pinned.”
Josh was on the phone with this caller for a total of four minutes. Within that time his partners took eight other calls pertaining to this same accident, from those driving by. While fielding the calls they also dispatched an ambulance, fire department and law enforcement. Field responders were on scene for over 45 minutes.
Myrissa: “9-1-1, where is your emergency?
Caller: “I am sorry, my phone was in my pocket.”
Erin: “9-1-1, where is your emergency?”
Caller: “My house is on fire! Get here now!”
Zach: “9-1-1, where is your emergency?”
Caller: “There is someone in my house!”
Kitana: “9-1-1 where is your emergency?”
Caller: “The neighbor’s dog has gotten into my trash.”
Megan: “9-1-1. Where is your emergency?”
Caller: “My dad is having a heart attack!”
Brooklyn: “9-1-1, where is your emergency?”
Caller: “I think my phone is broken.”
Brandy: “9-1-1, where is your emergency?
Caller: “My mom and dad are fighting.”
Tyler C: “9-1-1, where is your emergency?”
Caller: “I have just hit a deer.”
Lizzie: “9-1-1, where is your emergency?”
Caller: “My daughter has run away.”
Tyler L: “9-1-1, where is your emergency?”
Caller: “My son, he is in the bathtub! He is not breathing! Help!”
A dispatcher never knows what will be said once they speak the most welcoming words heard by someone in a crisis: “9-1-1, where is your emergency?”
There is a full range of possibilities, this is one of the reasons that they are the first, first responders with a calm voice. They are there at the start, they respond quickly to determine what type and severity of the emergency. The emotional toll taken by someone such as these unseen heroes is hard to match.
As you spend time with your family during this holiday time or anytime, keep all the FIRST RESPONDERS in your thoughts. As they are missing time with their family and friends to answer the calls of many.
On behalf of Texas County 9-1-1, we would like to thank you for your continued support and wish you a merry, safe Christmas!
The Texas County Emergency Services office in Houston is funded by a 3/8-cent countywide sales tax approved by voters in 2013. Director Terra Culley can be reached by phone at 417-967-5309 or by email at terraculley911@hotmail.com.