911 Wait times increasing to as long as 8 minutes, response 15 minutes

an article in Radio Resource Magazine points out 911 call volume is increasing while the number of available operators have been decreasing, meaning citizens can expect to be on hold as long as EIGHT MINUTES before even talking to an operator.

www.radioresourcemag.com...

Not just longer wait times but abandoned calls:

In a 2009 study in California, more than 26 percent of mobile calls were abandoned, Murray said.

Imagine you're on hold for 30 seconds, a minute, two minutes only to hear your call dropped while somebody is kicking that door of yours.

The report throws blame all over the place from cell phone signals to unions to government mandates to layoffs. Many are going so far as to simply say the entire emergency dispatch system is obsolete and needs to be completely restructured.

You're better off being prepared to fend for yourself and knowing local emergency numbers. Something that rural people have always known to be true. Now even the urban dependents can't hide from this reality.

Used to be the police were "minutes" away when seconds counted. Looks like wait times will soon be measured in hours.

At least you can have somebody in your ear telling you everything will be alright and help is on the way while you're dying. If your call isnt one of the 26% that gets abandoned anyway.

One of the cited issues:

Citizens are becoming more and more reliant on government to become involved in personal situations placing an increased demand on the system

A symptom of a much larger problem.

Firstly, the whole point of 911 is to be there for the public if there's a problem. Those alarming figures which you quote are rather disturbing. 8 minutes can save a life. Dropping calls purposely is a disgusting act. I hope karma comes back to those people who did so...however if the server is overloading, then you've got to go and do something about it.

Rather than spend money by injecting money into the economy, which might I say will increase inflation eventually, the government can increase employment by taking in more people to answer these calls...not only will this save lives, but it'll create jobs as well and therefore boost the poor economy there.

The increase in calls don't show just the reliance of people on the government but the increase in crime within the society, the decrease of our morals and the stupidity within people who do this.

Originally posted by BlackPoison94
The increase in calls don't show just the reliance of people on the government but the increase in crime within the society, the decrease of our morals and the stupidity within people who do this.

That assumes the calls are all crime related or even legitimate concerns.

According to the 9-11 Industry Alliance more-so than under staffing it's the public who are extending response times.

With the current government budget, staffing shortages and technology limitations the problems of 9-1-1 Overload will continue to grow. The U.S. has a policy challenge in order to accommodate the realities of 9-1-1 centers throughout our country:
Too many people with too many devices are placing more and more 9-1-1 calls
Communities have differing standards on when 9-1-1 should be called thereby overloading some 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP)
9-1-1 Public Education programs long ago supported by phone companies and government are no longer in place and public expectations are no longer being managed
Technology advancement are blurring the lines between phones and computers
Citizens are becoming more and more reliant on government to become involved in personal situations placing an increased demand on the system

Basically, too many calls from too many stupid people who have no business calling.

Increased staffing would only be a pressure valve for the overabundance of unnecessary calls. Like planting more trees ahead of a forest fire rather than fighting the fire.

9-11 Industry Alliance