Woman Dies While on Phone with 9-1-1. Cop Chooses to Go to Lunch Instead of Respond to Call

[aliss2]

Originally Posted by middle-aged mom

The caller dialed 911 and never spoke.

The 911 operater dispatched an officer who did not show up. Reportedly, the 9/11 operator stayed on the line until another dispatched officer did show up.

Should fire, EMT and Police be immediately dispatched to every call when the caller does not engage in the call?
I cannot imagine the increased cost to some municipalities and its taxpayers, given the number of non-engaged/dropped calls.

Dropped cell phones, no.

Dropped landlines, yes. That means someone physically dialed. Quite often, they are instances of domestic arguments or other "changed minds". It is policy of most agencies to conduct a welfare check, as this call was supposed to be.

[NHDave]

Originally Posted by Fargobound

How come the FD/EMT's did not roll?

I don't know how it is where you live, but fire & EMS are not sent out to silent/hangup 911 calls around here. the cops are sent to investigate.

[KaaBoom]

Originally Posted by middle-aged mom

Should fire, EMT and Police be immediately dispatched to every call when the caller does not engage in the call?
I cannot imagine the increased cost to some municipalities and its taxpayers, given the number of non-engaged/dropped calls.

Yes, thats the way 911 works, and always has. I found that out about 20 years ago. I was involved with a fight between two people. One of them said that they were going to call the police. I said, here let me help you. I picked up a phone, dialed 911 and started to hand it to the person, who immediately turned away and left the premises.. So I pushed the hang up button. I know the phone didn't even start to ring, but 5 minutes later the cops were knocking on the door.