911 In The DMV: When Help Is Not On The Way

September 3, 2020

Produced by Inés Rénique

Read the full article here.

Fire and EMS teams at the site of an emergency. DMV residents worry about recent cases of mishandled 911 calls. TYRONE TURNER / WAMU

Recent incidents have residents worried about emergency services in the DMV.

A case involving a water rescue and confusion between Loudoun County and Montgomery County dispatchers may have led to the tragic death of a young teen. In D.C., first responders were sent to the wrong location in response to a maritime distress signal. By the time they arrived at the right place, those onboard had drowned. This case led the city to consider opening an investigation into problems with emergency services.

In a world with smartphones that track every movement, why is it an emergency dispatcher can’t locate your precise location?

Guests

• Cheryl Kagan Member (D-District 17), Maryland Senate; @CherylKagan
• Dave Statter Former WUSA 9 reporter, now runs Statter911, a fire and EMS news site; @STATter911
• Karima Holmes Director, Office of Unified Communications, District of Columbia