In order to prevent an influx of nuisance calls that could block emergency calls from reaching a call taker, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications activated a non-emergency line during the Fourth of July holiday. Extra call takers were on hand for the emergency and non-emergency lines. Emergency Communications typically averages 2,000 calls a day to 911; the non-emergency number received 1,437 calls over the five day period. The following number of calls came in to the agency over the holiday:
Nuisance complaints to the non-emergency line:
June 30 – 122 calls
July 1 – 122 calls
July 2 – 88 calls
July 3 – 251 calls
July 4 – 708 calls
July 5 – 146 calls
911 calls:
Since July 1, Emergency Communications received more than 10,500 calls. The agency received 2,925 calls on July 4 alone.
Elora Forshee, Emergency Communications director, commended the agency, “The team at Emergency Communications is committed to providing quality public service and they demonstrated that during this very busy holiday period. I am proud of these professionals and admire their dedication to keep our community safe. The non-emergency line was busier than ever this year and I am thankful our community is using this resource to help keep 911 lines available for life-threatening emergencies.”