Dumbest 911 Emergency Calls in Southwest BC

E-Comm 9-1-1 provides emergency call-taking and dispatch services for Southwestern British Columbia including Metro Vancouver, Sunshine Coast, Squamish and Whistler areas. Stupid inappropriate 911 calls are tweeted by @EComm911_info under the #911EmergOnly and 911headscratcher.

2014 so far:

• Callers overwhelm 911 to ask about power outage
  
• Caller asked 911 on Easter Monday if it was a stat holiday
• Caller dials 911 to register for the next available Food Safe course.
• Caller phoned 911 to complain that the pizza he bought wasn’t fresh and that he should be given one for free
• Caller phoned 911 because the wifi at a local coffee shop wasn't working.
• Caller phoned 911 because their car had been towed.
• Caller asked 911 how long it would take him to get from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay.
• Caller phoned 911 from the airport to ask for their travel agent’s phone number.
• "What's the date?"
  
• Caller phoned 911 several times because their cellphone screen is broken and they keep trying to dial out.
• "My internet is not working!"
  
• Caller phoned 911 because the bus driver gave them a concession fare ticket instead of an adult fare ticket.
• Caller asked 911 for help retrieving her glasses that fell under the bleachers
• Caller asked 911 and police if they could help get Wimbledon on their TV.
• Caller asked 911 for assistance in placing a long distance call to Italy.
• Caller asked 911 about the fine for jaywalking.
• Caller phoned 911 because the food she ordered was cold.
• Caller phoned 911 because their dishwasher was not drying the dishes
• Caller asked 911 for a taxi referral.
• Caller asked 911 what their phone usage was for the month.
• "What time is it?"
  
• Caller phoned 911 to ask for directions home.
• Caller phoned 911 to complain their furniture delivery arrived with a scratch on it.
• Caller phoned 911 to ask about their pizza delivery.

 

Top 10 for 2013

1. “I'd like to speak to someone about renting a fire truck to block off a street for a party"
2. A caller phoned 9-1-1 to get their date’s contact information so they could confirm details of their plans.
3. A caller phoned 9-1-1 to report a missed newspaper delivery.
4. Caller asks 9-1-1 if they can get the 'OK' to drive in the HOV lane because “traffic is backed up and they are late for an important meeting.”
5. Caller dials 9-1-1 to activate voicemail on his cellphone.
6. “I threw my phone into the garbage can and can't get it out.”
7. Caller dials 9-1-1 to ask for a morning wake-up call.
8. Caller dials 9-1-1 to ask how to call the operator.
9. “Can an officer come over to tell my kids to go to bed?”
10. “My son won’t give me the remote control.”

Honourable Mentions from 2013

• "My toilet is overflowing...can you call me a plumber?"
• "It's taken me over an hour to get home after the fireworks, who's going to pay for the extra gas?"
• "Why the fireworks are so loud?"
• "Someone took the parking spot I was waiting for!"
• Caller dialed 911 from a payphone as she didn't have money to call her friend & wanted her call transferred

 

"911, where is you emergency?"

"123 Main St."

"Ok, what's going on there?"

"I'd like to order a pizza for delivery." (oh great, another prank call).

"Ma'am, you've reached 911"

"Yeah, I know. Can I have a large with half pepperoni, half mushroom and peppers?"

"Ummm…. I'm sorry, you know you've called 911 right?"

"Yeah, do you know how long it will be?"

"Ok, Ma'am, is everything ok over there? do you have an emergency?"

"Yes, I do."

"..And you can't talk about it because there's someone in the room with you?" (moment of realization)

"Yes, that's correct. Do you know how long it will be?"

"I have an officer about a mile from your location. Are there any weapons in your house?"

"Nope."

"Can you stay on the phone with me?"

"Nope. See you soon, thanks"

As we dispatch the call, I check the history at the address, and see there are multiple previous domestic violence calls. The officer arrives and finds a couple, female was kind of banged up, and boyfriend was drunk. Officer arrests him after she explains that the boyfriend had been beating her for a while. I thought she was pretty clever to use that trick. Definitely one of the most memorable calls.

 

Yes, excellent post not a prank. before becoming so self righteous about inappropriate 911 calls, the public needs to know that the situations are far more complex and that there will always be some inappropriate calls. Put up with it! NO system is perfect. Thank goodness this operator was on the ball and didn't reject the caller.

And....there could be a general information line. Wouldn't take much. someone with some intelligence and an Internet connection could provide all sorts of general information. There should even be a news line for people to call and hear short news bytes.

 

Top 10 for 2014 (Official List)

1. Wi-Fi at a local coffee shop isn’t working
2. "What’s the fine for jay walking?"
3. Pizza not fresh; wants a replacement slice
4. “What’s the number for my travel agency?”
5. Caller phoned 9-1-1 to ask for a taxi referral
6. “Is today a stat holiday?”
7. Food they ordered is cold
8. Wants help finding lost glasses
9. Home Internet is not working
10. “What’s the date today?”