“It’s an ongoing issue,” B.C.’s 9-1-1 operating company shares strangest calls of 2019

Emergency service numbers are unfortunately not always used for emergencies.

E-Comm, the company responsible for answering 99% of the province’s 9-1-1 calls, has released a list of the strangest nuance calls they have received this past year.

Some of the erroneous emergency calls included:

• a hotel parking spot was too small

• a hair salon didn’t style their hair properly

• a gas station wouldn’t let them use the washroom

• To enquire why traffic was so bad

• A coin laundry machine didn’t have enough water

• their neighbour was vacuuming late at night

• requesting that police bring a shovel to dig their car out of the snow in front of their house.

• police were being ‘too loud’ responding to an emergency and requesting they come back in the morning

• seeking information about water restrictions

• a report of a broken ATM

These types of calls pose serious issues for emergency operators according to Jasmine Bradley, Corporate Communication Manager for E-Comm.

“Call takers can’t just dismiss nuisance calls right away. They need to take the time to ask a whole bunch of questions to make sure that the person is actually safe and that there is not an emergency happening behind the scenes.”

Furthermore, anytime a lifeline is not used for a real emergency, people’s health, safety and property are put at risk.

Bradley also explained the RCMP has the ability to charge people with public mischief as a result of these types of calls.

E-Comm noticed a troubling new trend of people who knowingly call 9-1-1 for non-emergencies.

British Columbians are strongly urged to consider calling their municipality, DriveBC, or non-emergency lines for minor grievances.