(Sedgwick County, Kan.) – During New Year’s Eve service hours, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications fielded 30 calls to the non-emergency line (316-290-1011). The non-emergency line was active from 9 p.m., December 31 to 1 a.m., January 1. During those hours, callers made 376 calls to 9-1-1. Types of calls included:
- 41 calls reporting gun shots fired
- 22 fireworks complaints
- 4 loud party complaints
- 12 loud noise complaints
“I am very proud of the team at 911 and the way they handled the increased call volume of the night. It is not an easy night to work, on the streets or in dispatch,” said Emergency Communications Director Elora Forshee.
Both emergency and non-emergency call volume was higher compared to last year (18 non-emergency, 339 emergency).
The non-emergency line was established to prevent an influx of nuisance calls that can block emergency calls from reaching a call taker; the non-emergency line is activated during times of historically high call volumes and as otherwise needed. If someone calls 9-1-1 with a non-emergency, they are transferred to the non-emergency line.
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