REMARKS
911 operator shortages pose risk to public safety
0:39:51
·
77 sec
Henry Garrido, Executive Director of District Council 37, raises alarming concerns about shortages in 911 operators and the resulting risks to public safety.
- Garrido reports that some 911 calls are going to voicemail due to staff shortages
- He highlights that OMB has refused to backfill approved headcount for 911 operators
- Garrido emphasizes the dangerous situation where operators are working 16-hour shifts due to mandatory overtime
- He stresses the need to address emergency services staffing alongside revenue-generating positions
Henry Garrido
0:39:51
Yeah.
0:39:51
I think that's first, Mark.
0:39:52
But I'm let me suggest something to you.
0:39:54
Right?
0:39:54
911 calls are going into voice mail right now.
0:40:00
I said it.
0:40:01
If you know what's happening with 911 calls is that people are calling and then it's being referred to the precinct and the calls bouncing back because we don't have enough 911 operators.
0:40:11
And this is after our long fat battle in the budget to make sure there was a head count for 911 operators that then OMB refused to backfill.
0:40:20
And that to me is it's putting people's lives at risk.
0:40:24
It's not just revenue.
0:40:25
When you call 911, you expect somebody to be there and to provide you services, and that is not happening.
0:40:32
And it's no fault to it because they're mandating over time.
0:40:37
They're doing 2 3 shifts.
0:40:40
Our average homeowner operator now is on a 16 hour shift to answer 9 one one calls, and we don't have enough people to answer the phone.
0:40:49
There's not enough.
0:40:50
You can't get blood from a stone.
0:40:52
You can't force people to do any more mandatory overtime, especially when lives are at risk.
0:40:59
So revenue generating is absolutely smart thing to do, but we gotta look at the emergency services as well because we're neglecting that.
0:41:07
Thank you.
