A 911 operator laughs during an emergency call and the news has traveled around the country. On Oct. 2, MSN reported that a 911 operator in Tuscon, Ariz. was heard giggling along with others in the background while on the phone with a man who reported that his car -- and his girlfriend -- were on fire following an accident. It is unclear whether the operator (and pals) was laughing at the man on the phone or at something else that was occurring.
"The Pima County Sheriff's Department has launched an investigation regarding the matter and referred to the complaint over the operator's behavior as an 'isolated incident,'" MSN reported.
If a 911 operator laughs while you're making an emergency phone call, that isn't appropriate. These are people who are trained to handle emergency situations (from a cat in a tree to a woman on fire) with professionalism and poise. To hear someone laughing while you're going through something so serious is the least comforting feeling.
Unfortunately, problems with 911 operators are more common than you might think. While most of them are exceptional and do their jobs properly, there have been plenty of instances where their jobs don't get done and they get fired. It's unknown whether or not this particular operator will be losing her job.
Although the 911 operator laughs story is what's being focused on, it's important to know that the man's girlfriend is doing okay and is recovering.
© Effie Orfanides 2013
