Plus911 Caller Dies, Ambulance Sent to Wrong Address911 Caller Dies, Ambulance Sent to Wrong AddressThe Associated PressDoctors in Fulton County, Georgia say the local 911 call center makes too make mistakes. Officials say a woman died while waiting for help that was delayed because a 911operator sent emergency responders to the wrong address. (Aug. 7)[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] AUTHORITIES IN SUBURBAN ATLANTA SAY DARLENE DUKES DID NOT HAVE TO DIE. [Notes:DR. IAN GREENWALD, rural/metro ambulance medical director]"The best responders in the world can't save somebody when they're crippled by an hour dispatch delay." [Notes:John Kachmar - Johns Creek City Manager]"we're talking very, very critical amount of time in terms of the time necessary to save somebody's life.OFFICIALS SAY THE 39-YEAR-OLD WOMAN CALLED 911 BECAUSE SHE WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY BREATHING. BUT A 911 OPERATOR MISHEARD THE ADDRESS AND SENT THE AMBULANCE TO THE WRONG PLACE. THE MISTAKE CAUSED A 25-MINUTE DELAY IN RESPONSE - AND IT'S NOT THE FIRST MISTAKE. [Notes:dr. eric ossmann - grady ems medical director]In 2007 grady ems pulled our medical call taking out of that comm center because it was taking an inordinate period of time to dispatch life threatening calls, so this is not one employee this is a systemic issue." [Notes:greenwald]"There's problems here, we need to fix this people are suffering and people are dying, and this situation which is sad and tragic could have been prevented."DUKES PARENTS SAY SHE EVENTUALLY DIED FROM A PULMONARY EMBOLISM. OFFICIALS SAY THE OPERATOR SHOULD HAVE NOTICED THAT THE CALL CAME FROM A CELL TOWER IN NORTH FULTON COUNTY -- 30 MILES FROM THE MISTAKEN ADDRESS.CITY OFFICIALS SAY THE 911 OPERATOR WAS FIRED. BUT LOCAL DOCTORS SAY THIS IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM AND THAT THE CALL CENTER DIRECTOR SHOULD BE FIRED. THEY'RE CALLING FOR AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO THE 911 CENTER AND ITS PRACTICES. ___ ___, The Associated Press.(****END****) ANCHOR VOICE: EDonahue-------------------------VIDEO PRODUCER: NHawkins------------------------------VIDEO SOURCE: WSB--------------------------VIDEO APPROVAL: EFreeland------------------------------VIDEO RESTRICTIONS: Courtesy----------------------------------SCRIPT/WIRE SOURCE: AP------------------------------------
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