What is your emergency?
Allegheny County's 911 center in Point Breeze handled 1.4 million calls last year from 130 communities in Allegheny County and 88 Pittsburgh neighborhoods. The operators are trained to handle critical emergencies, but they sometimes answer calls that are not. Here are some examples:
911 OPERATOR: "Allegheny 911... "
CALLER: "Oh, I didn't want 911. I wanted the real police."
911 OPERATOR: "What location are you calling from?"
CALLER: "I'm not calling from a location. I'm calling from my cell phone."
911 OPERATOR: "Allegheny 911..."
CALLER: "Yeah, hi. I don't really have an emergency, but if I do have one, I was wondering what number to call ..."
911 OPERATOR: "Allegheny 911 ..."
CALLER: "I would like to be connected with a police officer."
911 OPERATOR: " OK, what do you need?"
CALLER: "It's really not an emergency ... maybe I can go down to the station.
911 OPERATOR: " It's OK that you called ma'am. How can we help you?"
CALLER: "It's really nothing, but there is a fire in my kitchen and I'd like to speak with an officer about this. But can you tell them if they want to come here, please don't use any lights or sirens. That's very embarrassing, and my neighbors are very nosey.
911 OPERATOR: "Allegheny 911 ..."
CALLER: "I am lost. Can you give me directions?"
911 OPERATOR: "Allegheny 911 ..."
CALLER: "I have a praying mantis in my bedroom. My friend told me I would go to jail if I touch it."
911 OPERATOR: "Allegheny 911 ..."
CALLER: "When is the Fourth of July Parade?"
