The leaves are falling as the holidays are among us. What a great area to live with the changing colors and exciting events taking place. In dispatch this evening is Steven and Cassidy; they sat down only two hours ago but have yet to have a moment to look up from their workstations as there have been nonstop calls. A lost hiker, a question about time change, multiple medical calls, a chimney fire, two open lines and multiple calls on a suspicious subject in the area have been received.
As the phone rings…
Steven: “9-1-1, Where is your emergency?”
Caller: “This is so ridiculous, I am sorry to bother you, but we just are not sure of what to do. We have been busy today moving into our new home and well as we were talking and it happened and louder now and we all heard it at the same time.”
Steven: “What is your address, phone number and name?”
Caller: “Again, I am sorry, and it might be nothing, but could someone come check for us?”
Steven was able to talk to the caller, Cynthia, to obtain an address and phone number.
Steven: “What is it that has happened to prompt you to call 9-1-1?”
Cynthia: “Well we have been very busy moving into the house today and each one of us can recall hearing something in the attic. Once we were able to settle down and try to eat dinner, we all heard it again and louder. Our new neighbor had told us that the police may be looking for someone in the area, but we had not worried too much about it. But now we are worried and would like someone to check the attic, if possible.”
Steven: “Where is everyone at now? How many are there with you?”
As Steven was asking questions Cassidy notified the closest deputy to the location. Inside dispatch, one of the resources in constant use is the availability to track all of Texas County law enforcement and EMS on a digital map.
Cynthia: “Well, to be honest, we got ourselves so worked up we just all got into the pickup and are sitting in the driveway. I have two teenagers with me along with our dog, a Great Dane, so it is a little cramped but all safe. Do you want me to go back inside?”
Steven: “No, stay there do not go back inside. If you would feel better leaving that is ok, I can let the deputy know where you are and I will stay on the phone with you.”
Cynthia: “No, we will stay here for now at least.”
Steven: “Is there or should there be anyone else on the property that you know of?”
Cynthia: “No, my husband left about an hour ago he will not be returning until tomorrow. I probably shouldn’t have called and I apologize for taking up your time.”
Steven: “Do not be sorry, that is what we are here for. It is always better to be safe and make sure. We do have help on the way. Can you describe the noise that you had heard?”
Cynthia: “Earlier I had heard what seemed to be scuffle or shuffle on the floor, but I just thought one of the kids was sliding a box somewhere. Then my daughter stated that she heard a weird whooshing type sound. However, my son says there was almost like something fell to the floor. But when we were sitting down to eat, we all heard a distinct almost a low yell then like a large fan was on then off. I am not sure if we are just letting our imagination run away with us or what is going on.”
Steven: “The deputy is close; my partner has updated him on what is happening. Let me know if you see or hear anything else.”
Steven stayed on the line with Cynthia until a deputy arrived. During the time that this call happened there was a grass fire that spread to a large wooden area that required three fire departments to respond. Cassidy and Steven were monitoring each call and every active department that was active on any call. Including a second deputy that arrived at Cynthia’s house. The deputies advised they were going to make entry to the house while the family stayed in the truck. After the allotted time and no further communication from the deputies on scene, Steven attempted to contact them via radio to do a status check. After the longest seven seconds, a radio transmission came through. The deputy advised that everything was OK, with no additional resources needed.
It was a busy evening as dispatch continued to answer calls and dispatch different responders throughout the county. It wasn’t until much later in the night that they were able to find out what the noise in the attic was. It turns out that it was turkeys! At some point a door was left open during the week prior the three turkeys had made their way to the attic but could not find a way out. No one in the family had gone through or up to the attic door to discover them until now. It is unknown how the door shut behind the turkeys once they got in. But the working theory is that they had been working with a larger number of runaway turkeys in hopes of not being discovered until after Thanksgiving or never.
No, we have not had calls of turkeys in the attic before, or as of yet, but we have had many calls of unknown circumstances. I want to stress that it is no bother when someone is truly worried about their or anyone’s safety. Do not hesitate to call 9-1-1 for any possible emergency. Do not hesitate to call.
On behalf of Texas County 9-1-1, I would like to wish you a Happy Safe Thanksgiving. As you sit down with your family, I ask that you keep all first responders in your thoughts as they may not get a chance to sit down where they are.