The presence of COVID-19 gave a distinct twist to some 911 calls this yr, with meals supply complaints and questions on lockdown topping E-Comm’s annual listing of the worst causes folks known as the emergency line.
Inquiries in regards to the legality of proudly owning a trampoline throughout a pandemic and requests for help making use of for CERB additionally made the listing of ridiculous calls to B.C.’s largest emergency name centre.
E-Comm launched their annual listing of nuisance callers on Wednesday in an effort to remind the general public that 911 ought to solely be dialled in an emergency.
This yr, along with the COVID-19 associated inquiries, E-Comm dispatchers handled some acquainted client complaints, together with calls about financial institution playing cards caught in ATM machines, and smoking in restricted areas.
Whether or not you are pissed off about your meals supply, interested by COVID, or have questions on quarantine, 9-1-1 isn’t the best # to name. In the present day we reveal the highest 10 headscratchers of 2020: <a href=”https://t.co/kUdQk4RgTs”>https://t.co/kUdQk4RgTs</a><a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/HelpUsHelp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrcpercent5Etfw”>#HelpUsHelp</a> maintain 911 traces free for emergencies solely. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/911BC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrcpercent5Etfw”>#911BC</a> <a href=”https://t.co/0Pv7Uiv9JD”>pic.twitter.com/0Pv7Uiv9JD</a>
—@EComm911_info
E-Comm dispatcher Meghan McMath says normal complaints to the emergency line that are not police, hearth or ambulance issues, divert essential sources from these in actual emergencies.
“That signifies that each second we spend responding to normal questions, considerations or complaints takes away from our precedence — serving to individuals who need assistance straight away,” McMath mentioned in a written assertion.
E-Comm officers say inquires that aren’t pressing, reminiscent of confirming the time, are all “inappropriate” as they “do not contain quick danger to life or property.”
Right here is E-Comm’s high 10 causes to not name 911 in 2020:
To complain {that a} meals supply driver didn’t ship a meal. To inquire if there’s a full lockdown for COVID-19. To ask if having a trampoline is against the law throughout COVID-19. To ask for help making use of for CERB. To complain {that a} mattress bought second-hand was extra dirty than marketed. To report {that a} financial institution card was caught within the ATM. To report a neighbour for smoking in a non-smoking constructing. To inquire about how you can enter a profession in regulation enforcement. To substantiate the time. To ask for assist after getting locked out of the automobile.
E-Comm has dealt with greater than 1.7 million 911 calls this yr at its two centres on Vancouver Island and in East Vancouver, based on a written assertion.
The group is the primary level of contact for 911 callers in 25 regional districts within the province and gives dispatch providers for greater than 70 police businesses and hearth departments throughout B.C.
