Fire Response Times Questioned

Callers in Atlanta (Geo.) who dialed 911 to report a fire said it took firefighters at least 10 minutes (25 minutes…40 minutes) to arrive at a fire that destroyed a Grant Park house. Comm center officials say their records indicate that fire units arrived within six minutes of the first 911 call, but acknowledge that caller hang-ups and understaffing contributed to the delay. Center director Miles Butler told a city council meeting the comm center has 150 authorized positions, but has 33 vacancies (22% vacancy rate). The staffing shortage means the center is understaffed by 50% during peak weekend and evening shifts, Butler said. Just six calltakers were working the night of the fire, instead of the 10-12 staffed before city funding cutbacks, Butler told the council. Fire chief Kelvin Cochran said callers kept dialing 911, reaching a recording, and then calling back, creating more work for dispatchers. The first caller to get through gave a wrong address, Cochran said, and it wasn’t until the officer reached the scene that firefighters learned of the correct address. Read more about the staffing situation here.