Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, May 18, 1993                   TAG: 9305180344
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

EMERGENCY SERVICE NOT LIKE ON TELEVISION

On April 23, I came upon a child who had been struck by an automobile in front of Ruffner Junior High School at approximately 5 p.m. Upon approaching the scene and discovering an injured child, I dialed 911 on my cellular car phone. A person answered identifying themselves as 911. I reported what had happened, and the operator replied, "Are you in the city or county?" I replied "city," and at this point my call was transferred. Once again someone answered, identifying themselves as 911. I again reported the situation and the operator replied, "We will send someone" and hung up. I was left with no instructions for the immediate care of the child and the 911 operator did not even ask my name.

On the "emergency" television shows, you see the operator instruct and coach the caller until professional help arrives. This also ensures the operator that help did arrive.

It would have been just as effective for me to have dialed "0" for the operator to call for assistance. Is this how our emergency system operates? This system is totally unacceptable. I can't believe our city has been placed into such poor hands. DANA M. GARRETT ROANOKE