I was a 911 dispatcher for 8 years.  911  phone calls are considered public record, just like someone's arrest information is.  I do think it is bad taste to play calls on the news etc.  The news and other shows used to have a  sense of dignity, now they exploit everyone for their benefit and profit.  It is disgusting the way the news people force their  camera into the face of people to ask  how they feel as they watch their house burn down?  How do you think they feel while you are zooming in on a puddle of blood from their family member who was just killed?   No one has any sense of propriety anymore.  Nobody needs, or is entitled to see that!  I have made copies of many 911 calls for court etc. and is sad to listen to the call from a mother who has just come home to find their child committed suicide.  That is nobody’s business.

The greater problem is that, since televisions etc play these calls. It makes some people think twice before calling if they feel that someone involved may retaliate, if a crime is involved.  I believe that these calls should be kept private, unless they must be used in court.   Today, people have short attention spans and think they need the gratification of hearing every sordid detail.  I remember when I was young the news didn't show footage of accidents etc, because they felt they had a sense of responsibility to protect people.  The paparazzi chase celebrities around 24/7 for the same reason.  It wasn't long ago that celebrities went to events and that is where the pictures were taken, the press respected their privacy.  Growing up I remember how disturbing it was to see the Vietnam War footage on the news.  Now people are exposed to this crap everyday and they are immune to the shock that people used to feel.

Cont,

Entertainment news people chase down celebrities at events, to ask their opinion on whatever other celebrities have done or gone through, even though they don’t even know the person or what happened.  You can see how uncomfortable these celebrities are when asked these stupid questions.

Now about how calls are handled.  When you call in for a medical emergency, the operator is inputting everything you say into a computer which goes to the dispatcher who is in charge of dispatching the call.  While the call taker asks you questions the ambulance and fire department are already on their way.  Most dispatcher are trained and are certified in EMD call taking.  Dispatchers determine the type of call and go to the proper section and start reading the card word for word, that is why they are asking is he breathing, is he conscious etc.  First the dispatcher is covered by the certification company if a problem arises as long as they read the card word for word.  If they don’t then it is on them.  They need this information because the type of call determines who is sent to the call.  If the person is breathing and conscious certain apparatus is dispatched.  If the person is not conscious and /or has trouble breathing, we send more people, because if CPR is needed it takes more people to transport the person than it does otherwise.  How far a person falls etc. all make a difference, even if you don’t think it does.  Just answer their questions as best you can, if you don’t it could be the difference between life and death.  They are doing their job, not asking stupid questions.

I know how passionate and hard working 9-1-1 Dispatchers are, I was a 9-1-1 Dispatcher and I supervised them for 20 years.  You never knew what type of incident you were going to take home with you at the end of the day.  I believe the number of people who can actually do the job is 5% to 6% of the population reported by NENA a few years ago. 

I couldn't agree with you more and as you are aware 9-1-1 professionals can't make policy we have to comply with the courts.  There are several victim advocate groups that can take this issue on, for example domestic violence cases there are restrictions on information released. 

It is certainly a worth cause and I know 9-1-1 professionals would be advocates to restrict the release.