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By Brian Konrad

9-1-1 hang ups a problem

8-1-1 misdials cause problems for E-M-S

Feb 25, 2021 | 11:12 AM

MEDICINE HAT — The crush of people trying to call Health Link to book an appointment for the COVID vaccination resulted in an unexpected problem for emergency services.

Medicine Hat’s 9-1-1 communication centre had an elevated number of calls, the result of people misdialing the Health Link number of 8-1-1.

But many of those people misdialing, hung up instead of staying on the line to speak with an operator.

That creates extra work for the 9-1-1 dispatcher, who must then call back to verify the person on the other end of the line is okay and police are not required.

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Manager of Medicine Hat’s 9-1-1 Communication Centre, Paul Blasetti says it’s much like a false alarm to the fire department.

“It is a false alarm, exactly, in that same nature” says Blasetti.

“We don’t know what’s going on on the other end and so it’s about ensuring that it is safe on that scene and there’s no need for an emergency service response of any nature” explains Blasetti.

He says they will notify police of a hang up coming on a land line and they will respond to ensure public safety.

If the call is from a cell phone, the operator will call back to make sure all is well.

If a minor calls in error and hangs up, police will also be sent to ensure their safety.

The bottom line is, if you dial in error, stay on the line and speak with the operator; don’t just hang up.