911 operators are snippy?

Question

why are some 911 operators snippy, impatient, and snotty?

I seldom call, and when I do the reasons are legitimate.

Answer 1

I've never dialed 911 in my life. Why do you have reason to be dialing it so much as to even "Seldom" call?

Answer 2

Answerer Westward Wind is on the right track.  I worked as a customer service specialist for a gas utility for years.  In the course of answering incoming telephone calls, we constantly answered calls from customers or passersby who were reporting emergency situations.  In some cases these customers didn't even realize they had an emergency situation in progress.  When, in the course of a normal call for turning on or off service, or even during a billing complaint, we determined that there was a possibility of an emergency situation, anyone listening could hear the change in our tone.  

In an emergency the important information is name, address, cross streets, entry instructions, and type of emergency.  When calling in an emergency, the caller has the obligation to try to stay calm, to answer questions as clearly and concisely as possible.  The 911 operator's responsibility is to take and relay the information correctly and quickly in order to alleviate suffering and save lives.

I too have heard some taped 911 calls.  In some I would agree that the operator sounded uncaring and sometimes even disbelieving.  Unfortunately, there are reasons for that too.  It is a sad fact that there are people in our society who think it is funny to call in FAKE emergancies.  Some people use 911 as an information bureau or a complaint desk.  Thus, many of the calls received at 911 are not true emergancies.  The 911 operator has to determine quickly EXACTLY what they are dealing with on EVERY call.  They are human.  They fall prey to all the pitfalls that all the rest of us face in life.  Let's not judge them too harshly, unless it can be proven that they are truely derilict in their duty.

Answer 3

If I had someone running and shooting an AK47, even at me, I would never call 911. Both police and fire departments here are worthless. The fire department is volunteer and it takes an hour to assemble. By then your home will be ashes. Report a crime and the police will supply your name to the criminal complete with your address, phone, age, occupation and a few other details.

Answer 4

You hear some terrible recordings in a prosecutor's office. I overheard a prosecutor in the Attorney General's office the other day referring to it like this:

"My husband has been stabbed, he's bleeding"

"Ma'am I can't understand what you're saying, calm down."

It's like any other boring repetitive government job, I suppose, except that the stakes are much higher.

Answer 5

We've had a problem in our county with them, which makes me a bit nervous since I've lived in the city up till now.  

Answer 6

There can be any number of reasons why a 911 Telecommunicator may sound impatient, or what you perceive as snippy, on the phone.  We deal daily with the worst society has to offer.  It is also a thankless job.  If it was busy then they have to gather the proper information quickly and efficiently and still handle other incident happening at the same time.  Don't take it personally, regardless of what they sound like, they are still going to send help.

As far as what the meth guy said, his problem is not with 911, it's with the judge and police department.

Answer 7

I would say they may come across that way because they operate from the standpoint of 'just the facts' ..

They don't want to be your buddy. They want to know what your problem is and where you are so they can get help going your way asap. I'd much rather they sound like a total ***** on the phone and get the ambulance there on time than sound endearing and waste valuable seconds that might cost me my life.