It’s been stated earlier than and might be stated once more. Widespread sense isn’t widespread.
Working example (really a number of) come from E-Comm’s tenth annual checklist of prime 911 nuisance calls in B.C.
Extremely, on this age of technical marvels, some individuals nonetheless can’t fathom that calling 911 is for emergencies solely. However wait! What constitutes an emergency?
In a single case, and we child you not, E-comm stated somebody referred to as 911 asking for instructions on how one can get residence after attending a Drake live performance.
Yet one more particular person referred to as 911 as a result of their Airbnb reservation had been cancelled, whereas a 3rd stated their Uber Eats order was taking too lengthy. And a fourth referred to as 911 after dropping their nostril ring whereas showering.
“Irrespective of how absurd a name is likely to be on the floor, we now have to deal with each 911 name as an emergency till we are able to confidently decide in any other case,” stated Alaina Milicevic, a police name taker at E-Comm.
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“Each second we spend fielding questions on Airbnb reservations or complaints about Uber Eats orders is time that might in any other case be devoted to serving to somebody in a life-threatening emergency state of affairs. We are able to’t provide help to with shopper complaints on 911. Reaching out to an applicable customer support agent, or submitting a report with the Higher Enterprise Bureau would possibly assist resolve your difficulty.”
Under are the E-Comm’s top-10 nuisance calls of 2023 in B.C.
- To ask for instructions residence from the Drake live performance
- The visitors mild was taking too lengthy to show inexperienced
- They misplaced a nostril ring down the bathe drain
- Their Airbnb host cancelled their reservation
- Their Uber Eats order was taking too lengthy
- A burger joint wouldn’t allow them to in earlier than opening
- They couldn’t discover their cellular phone
- To complain a couple of pothole
- Their McDonald’s order was taking too lengthy
- The barber gave them a foul haircut
E-Comm says it’s B.C.’s largest emergency communications centre, and that it handles 99 per cent of 911 name quantity throughout the province. It additionally gives dispatch providers for greater than 70 police companies and hearth departments throughout the province
It additionally famous that calls to 911 rose 13 per cent in 2023, and that this checklist is a transparent reminder to name 911 provided that it’s an emergency.
“911 for police, hearth or medical emergencies when fast motion is required: somebody’s well being, security or property is in jeopardy or a criminal offense is in progress,” stated E-Comm.
Under are some tips about when 911 ought to be referred to as, or in case you mistakenly name 911.
- Know your location on the time of the decision
- Don’t program 911 into any telephone
- Lock and retailer your cellphone to forestall unintentional 9-1-1 calls
- Don’t textual content or tweet 911
- When you name 911 by chance, don’t hold up; keep on the road and tell us
- Name takers can’t switch your non-emergency name from 911
- Go to NonEmergency.ca for a listing of alternate assets for reporting non-emergency issues
“Nuisance calls are a preventable downside and E-Comm is encouraging British Columbians to do their half by holding 911 strains free for emergencies the place fast response is required from police, hearth or ambulance.”
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