A 911 operator was found guilty of hanging up on thousands of people because she didn’t want to talk to them. And I get it.
Who calls people on the phone nowadays? I mean, I do sometimes, but, for the most part most people text now, no matter how important the issue is. I mean who hasn’t sent/received an “URGENT” text followed by a paragraph explaining what is going on. In fact I am shocked that there isn’t an option to text 911 your problem. I think it would solve a lot of issues.
For starters, it’d be more simple. If it’s an actual emergency whoever is on the line is going to be exasperated, frantic, and inaudible. Imagine how much easier it would be for them and the operator if they could send a text to 911 reading, “Husband having a heart attack. Need medical assistance at X address.” That is easier, faster, and more concise than a phone call with the person crying on the line and the operator attempting to distinguish what they are saying.
It also allows operators to flush out things that may not be as important. Someone texts the line that there’s a stray animal in the neighborhood? OK, cool. We will send someone from animal control (no idea if thats how those calls are responded to but work with me) when we can. Boom. Now the operator can deal with the lady whose husband had a heart attack!
Did I just solve a problem? Was it even a problem to begin with? No idea but it makes too much sense to not be implemented.
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