Live, Local, Late Breaking news, weather, and sportsCell phones keep 911 centers busy

Cell phones keep 911 centers busy

Our cell phones are lifesavers in emergencies. 911 is dialed quicker and often by several people when there's an emergency. 

A motorcycle crash in Lee County Saturday prompted dozens of 911 calls that flooded dispatchers but triggered a fast, life-saving response by emergency workers. Their quick response saved the life of a WALB-TV employee.

There is nearly one cell phone for every person in the United States. So it's easy to understand that when a crash or tragedy happens, so many people alert authorities, and that can sometimes overwhelm emergency operators.

"They are the first contact with the public and so they are what we get, the information we get, they get, they have to pass along to the people who are showing up at the scene,"  said Larry Hill, Lee County 911 Coordinator.

And it can get hectic. When an SUV struck WALB employee Bill Gilbride on his motorcycle Saturday, the center got 16 calls in just three minutes. 

 "When we have all three dispatchers on, sometimes you get more calls for one incident than three people can handle," said Dawn Harrod, Lee County 911 Supervisor/Operator.

"They have to go from a dead stop to wide open and they are prepared to do that, they are trained to do that, and they do it in a proficient manner," Hill said.

 Not only are they handling calls they're trying to dispatch four different services to respond, and get them the information they need. "In that case, they need emergency medical services, the fire department in case of entrapment or road debris, of course the law enforcement for safety," said Hill.

 Along with traffic control and along Highway 19, the Georgia State Patrol who ultimately investigates. They encourage the public to call, and say you can help them best by giving them the location, and if anyone is hurt as quickly as possible. 

"If you can be specific, if you see a mailbox or an address on a building, give us that address that helps tremendously," said Hill.

 Dispatchers say don't be offended if they're short with you, but in life threatening situations, seconds count and can be the difference in life and death. And never hesitate to call if someone needs help.

The Lee County emergency center has four phone lines, but when those fill up, the calls roll over to the administration lines so they can have as many as nine working lines at one time. They encourage the public to keep using their cell phone and to be as concise as possible.

Last year the Lee County 911 center handled more than 101,000 calls to their dispatch center. The busiest day of the week for calls was Tuesdays.

We are happy to report that Bill Gilbride remains hospitalized, and is recovering from his injuries.

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