As if 2020 wasn’t ridiculous enough without a list of the most obscure reasons to call 911.
When a crisis strikes, it’s comforting to know that you can call 911 and have a trained professional direct emergency services to come to your aid. Some British Columbians, however, may need a refresher on what exactly an “emergency” is.
According to E-Comm, BC’s largest 911 centre, plenty of mundane complaints were dialed in to their call centres this year, clogging up potential lifelines.
In addition to the increase of pandemic-related inquiries that tied up 911 lines in 2020, E-Comm call-takers also dealt with some familiar consumer complaints that seem to wind up on its top 10 nuisance calls list year after year including cars that can’t start, bank cards that are stuck in ATMs and callers wondering about the time.
E-Comm call-taker Megan McMath answered the number one call on this year’s list. She says general complaints on the emergency line that aren’t police, fire or ambulance matters, divert critical resources from people in real emergencies.
“Calling 911 to ask a question or report a consumer complaint may seem harmless enough,” says McMath.
“But, what people may not realize is that we need to treat every call as an emergency, until we can determine otherwise. That means that every moment we spend responding to general questions, concerns or complaints takes away from our priority – helping people who need help right away.”
E-Comm’s top 10 most ridiculous calls to 911 in 2020
- Complaining that their food delivery driver did not deliver their meal
- Inquiring if there is a full lockdown for COVID-19
- Wondering if having a trampoline is illegal during COVID-19
- Asking for assistance to apply for CERB
- Complaining that the mattress they had purchased second hand was more soiled than advertised
- Reporting that their bank card was stuck in the ATM
- Reporting their neighbour for smoking in a non-smoking building
- Inquiring about how to enter a career in law enforcement
- Confirming the time
- Asking for help because they were locked out of their car
Whether you're frustrated about your food delivery, curious about COVID, or have questions about quarantine, 9-1-1 is not the right # to call. Today we reveal the top 10 headscratchers of 2020: https://t.co/kUdQk4RgTs#HelpUsHelp keep 911 lines free for emergencies only. #911BC pic.twitter.com/0Pv7Uiv9JD
— E-Comm 9-1-1 (@EComm911_info) December 30, 2020
“We understand that people are frustrated and worried about COVID-19-related issues, but general questions and complaints about the pandemic don’t belong on 911,” says Kaila Butler, E-Comm senior communications specialist.
“Our goal each year with this list of nuisance calls is to drive home the message that we need the public’s help to keep 9-1-1 lines free for people experiencing real emergencies who need immediate assistance from police, fire or ambulance agencies.”
E-Comm received approximately 1.7 million calls into 911 this year. E-Comm is reminding callers that any time a 911 line is taken up for the reason that does not require immediate action from emergency services, lives could be at risk.
