A Pennsylvania man who called 911 died after dispatch hung up when he didn't speak in English, complaint says (rating, economic)

[Suburban_Guy]

Wow, Lehigh County (the defendant in this case) offers a completely different version of events.

This isn't even a debate over learning the language of the country you reside in (which one should of course), but possibly false claims by the plaintiff.

The transcripts of the 9-1-1 calls should settle things.

https://www.insider.com/spanish-spea...lWY4qHXtnsYiqY

Lehigh County, the defendant in the case, called the allegation "baseless" in a statement to Insider. Santiago called dispatch and spoke in English, according to a timeline of the events provided by Lehigh County, and the call taker "told Mr. Santiago that help is on the way; the fire department has been dispatched."

The statement also said a Spanish-speaking individual called in a minute prior to Santiago. The dispatcher "immediately transferred" that call to a translation line, "which is our standard operating procedure."

[Monello]

It would be interesting to know just how long the phone caller had lived in America.

1 of the requirements to become a US citizen is to learn English.

[DannyHobkins]

English is the language of America. A basic understand of the language is a requirement to become a citizen

[Retroit]

I hope they prosecute the people who are making these false claims. Block their phone number at the 911 call center.

[Oldglory]

Originally Posted by DannyHobkins

English is the language of America. A basic understand of the language is a requirement to become a citizen

Many Spanish speakers don't like that though.

[BentBow]

Originally Posted by Suburban_Guy

Wow, Lehigh County (the defendant in this case) offers a completely different version of events.

This isn't even a debate over learning the language of the country you reside in (which one should of course), but possibly false claims by the plaintiff.

The transcripts of the 9-1-1 calls should settle things.

https://www.insider.com/spanish-spea...lWY4qHXtnsYiqY

You are led to rely on Gov... Daddy!
When in all reality, government has no responsibility, obligation nor authority to protect, or keep you safe and alive, much less help you in any way! NONE! You best wake the **** up.

---Castlerock v. Gonzales
---Warren v. DC

[Torn2pieces]

Next it will be "Defund" 911 Call Center Workers.

Call a Social Worker Next time.

Or Click 2 for Spanish Speakers.

[DrPibbs]

Sounds like a bogus claim. You can probably speak Swahili and still get the help you need.

[formerlynorthofnowhere]

Is this a case of facts over truth? Fire department arrived in only 5 minutes. That's better than where I live, and I speak the same language as the 911 people.

"Director of Community and Economic Development Frank Kane said Friday that county officials reviewed 911 tapes from the night of the fire and found that the call was handled correctly. The first call reporting the fire was received at 11:22 a.m. and the first police arrived on the scene three minutes later. Firefighters arrived at 11:27 a.m. Heriberto Santiago Jr. and 14-year-old Andres Javier Ortiz died in the fire."

https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylva...xby-story.html

[2mares]

Apparently the fire crew got there 5 minutes after the call so I dont see how its negligence or that the dispatch did not do their job.

The county said records showed the first call was made at 11:22 a.m., and police arrived at the scene at 11:25 a.m. and fire crews arrived at 11:27 a.m. About a dozen 911 calls were received between the initial call at 11:22 a.m. and when fire crews arrived five minutes later, the county said.

https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/leh...unty-says.html