Chapter 3 Allegheny County 911

Contact:          Rick Grejda, Business Agent

                        SEIU Local 668

                        429 Forbes Avenue, Suite 1600

                        Allegheny Building

                        Pittsburgh, PA 15219

                        (412) 201-4407

                        grejda668@aol.com or rgrejda@gmail.com

Single Keystroke and Software Attributed to Emergency Response Delay

Pittsburgh, PA.  

On June 11, 2010 a 911 call for an infant from a frantic mother was received by the Allegheny County 911 Center.  The call taker who has been a telecommunications officer for the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County since 2001 answered the call. 

“The call taker entered the correct address that was provided by the patient’s mother into the computer aided dispatch system.  The call taker then updated the 911 computer system to include the apartment number of the address.  A single keystroke error activated an unknown function of the computer system which changed the address for first responders.  This change was unknown to the call taker who at the time was providing critical pre-arrival medical instructions including CPR to the mother.  This software issue was not known by telecommunications officers until this incident occurred”, said Rick Grejda, Business Agent.

The investigation regarding this incident is ongoing.  The County has not had the opportunity to interview the call taker.   The call taker has been suspended during the investigation without pay.

“The Union understands the need for an investigation and will cooperate fully.  However an unpaid suspension at this time is premature and unwarranted. The call taker is unavailable at this time for comment however, at this time is seeking counseling in regards to the incident and feels terrible.  The call taker wanted to express that their thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the deceased,” said Steven Wells, Chief Shop Steward for Allegheny County 911.