911 Calls in Chattanooga Go Unanswered By BILL POOVEY, Associated Press Writer

911 Calls in Chattanooga Go Unanswered By BILL POOVEY, Associated Press Writer
Fri Mar 24, 3:49 PM ET



CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Thousands of calls to Chattanooga's 911 call center have been going unanswered, according to records examined after a caller was unable to report a kitchen fire because three of four dispatchers were taking breaks at the same time.

Stacey Hunter and her family members called 911 from her home phone and cellular phones Monday afternoon when the fire broke out, but the calls went unanswered. Finally, Artterius Bonds, and 14-year-old nephew, Quayshaune Fountain, ended up running a half mile to get help from the fire station. No one was hurt.

"If they hadn't gone running, my house would have completely burned up," Hunter, 34, said as she stood in her scorched kitchen.

Chattanooga Police Chief Steve Parks, who oversees employees of the Hamilton County Emergency Communications District, said the department was responsible for the unanswered calls.

One dispatcher was taking calls and three others working the shift were taking a break, the chief said. He described the situation as an unacceptable failure of the 911 system.

But records indicate the problem is more widespread.

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Personally I don't have much faith in the 911 system. I liked it better when you just called the local fire dept or police dept directly.