Race question on 911 call. Wow. Just wow.

[AKwannabe]

On my way home tonight from my shift I encountered a person down on the side of the road.
I live in Anchorage AK. I saw at least 4 cars pass by this black lump before I approached. I could tell it was a person for sure as I got closer.

I stopped. (Why not others?…I was thinking).

The person was lying on the frozen ice and snow covered three lane, one way arterial. I called 911.

Since there were no visible injuries I was patched throughout to FD paramedics. I was asked the race of the person. I reported what I thought the person’s race was. I was told the paramedics had been dispatched.

12 minutes later. I called 911 again. Because no one had arrived and I heard no approaching sirens. It’s after midnight by this time and I should have heard sirens.

17 minutes after my call the local unit for health checks pulls up.

I know the reason it took so long is because I reported that person’s race. Fucking pisses me off. Pissed At self and the fact that it made a difference. Had I reported the person as white I believe it would have taken WAY less time and only one call.

Wtf?

[BittyJenkins]

1. Shouldn't that be illegal?

That is horrendous. If you can’t report it to police maybe you could call the newspaper and let them know.
That is great you stopped and how scary.

[niyad]

2. Thank you for caring. Yes, contact the newspaper.

[secondwind]

3. Since when do folks at 911 ask for race?

This is totally a race issue and should be reported!

[Aussie105]

4. If you were to report the person as

white, young, female and naked would that have made a difference?
Rhetorical question, I'd say.

What are they going to do if you make a small mistake like that? Drive off again?

[TreasonousBastard]

5. An unconscious body by the side of the road? Can't think of a...

legitimate reason to ask about race. Age and sex maybe, since that could affect response, but race...

Anyone know why 911 operator would ask, other than for a statistcal sample?

[Aussie105]

6. Not needed.

Paramedics would file a report on age, gender, race, medical condition.

Need stats? Get them from there.

[TreasonousBastard]

8. That's what I thought-- many better sources of accurate medical and

statistical info.

[multigraincracker]

7. There is only one answer for

the question of "race", human.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

9. +1. We are all mixed race, nobody is "pure". . . nt

[multigraincracker]

11. Takes a whole lot of inbreeding to get to pure.

Like 400 generation of breeding mothers to sons.

[sarge43]

10. Could go sarcastic

"I haven't received the DNA test results."

[Jilly_in_VA]

22. I like that one

Or, "I didn't ask, he's unconscious."

[tavernier]

12. To operator: Young white woman.

To paramedics: oops, sorry. Couldn’t tell in the dark.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

13. Yup. A "white" lie that tells the truth. . . . nt

[Demovictory9]

30. Attractive with blond hair..looks like her folks have money

[Conjuay]

14. When asked 'what race'

your answer should have been, “UNCONSCIOUS”.


I tend to answer stupid questions by not answering them.


I would assume there is a recording of both of your calls, including the name of the ‘dispatcher’ (if you can call them that). I’d make sure they are reported to a local news paper.

[TigressDem]

29. How should I know? You think I got a 23 and me kit on me or something?

I'm more embarrassed than ever that AFTER moving away from Cali to MN I lost Spanish through lack of practice.

Found out I have a great, great Grandma from Mexico.

[avebury]

15. 911 - What race do you think the person is?

Me - Human, that is all you need to know

[Rebl2]

21. YEP

[TigressDem]

27. I don't know. I'm blind. I just fell over him or her.

To paramedics. Just kidding. Thought dispatch deserved a laugh.

[True Dough]

16. You will sometimes hear right-wingers say that "systemic racism" is a load of BS

Your troubling story, OP, is but one of countless examples of systemic racism. It's shameful.

But thanks for sharing. I hope the individual recovered and is cared for.

[jaxexpat]

17. How about, "no race at all, he's not even moving"?

[TigressDem]

28. Good one.

[panader0]

18. If you do a follow up on the guy, let us know if he is OK.

[MedRxx]

19. I was Medical Director of a Rural County EMS for a decade

"Race" is a completely non-useful (often indeterminable) bit of medical history in an emergency

Sending the "Well Baby" check unit, rather than an ambulance seems gross negligence in the circumstances as reported.

In addition to the media, please take the time to file complaints with whatever agencies in Alaska are responsible for overseeing EMS at the state, county and municipal levels

[Hekate]

33. THIS. Make a list of all relevant agencies, with name, address, and phone number ...

Start typing and calling. Keep notes. Go to the top.

[2naSalit]

20. Let me guess...

Might they have been Native American?

I know the same thing happens around reservations in the lower 48 too. The dispatcher may not ask in that way but in most cases, no locals would even call.

Yes, it is another atrocity carried out with impunity on a regular basis by the constabulary. It's systemic.

Complain to the papers but be careful of your identity if you do. Exposing local crimes that nobody else complains about can be dangerous or obstruct your ability to enjoy life in your location.

[Jilly_in_VA]

23. Apropos of nothing

this is why I carry a blanket in my car, winter or summer. If I see someone down by the side of the road, I can cover them. They may be frozen, or they may be in shock, which will also lower the body temperature. Or it will hide them from the prying eyes of passing motorists. My blanket is a bright plaid so it also signals the cops or EMS "Right here, here we are!" A "space blanket" might be just as useful but they are hell to fold up and not as useful for covering up something you don't want seen on the seat of your car.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

24. I'm assuming it's because if you left the scene and the responders showed up and couldn't find the

guy it would help to have a basic ID. AND they can use it for other purposes as well, ofc.

[brooklynite]

25. "I know the reason it took so long is because I reported that person's race."

No you don't. It's late at night. You don't know how many emergency vehicles are available, where they are, and how they're prioritizing the severity of other cases.

Asking for the race of a victim could be a default field to help identify the person when searching.

[Journeyman]

26. Did they ask other identifying questions? Age, sex, color of clothing? Anything to help ID . . .

Anything to help ID if they arrive, you've left, and the "victim" has regained consciousness and moved to another, warmer spot?

[Corgigal]

31. Wow.

No, and they always ask for race and what people are wearing, in case they walk away and can stop them and check if they are ok.

Request a tour of a 911 center, and watch how it’s done. No mystery.

[Meowmee]

32. Terrible

can you report this?