911 dispatchers prepare for fireworks complaints

“We're asking people, please do not call 911 for firecracker complaints,” said Randy Bargdill, Director of Sedgwick County Emergency Communications.

So far, this year has been a comparatively quiet one for dispatchers.

“I'd give the citizens of Sedgwick County an A+ for the way that they've handled themselves in regards to calling in on fireworks complaints,” Bargdill added.

And they hope it stays that way. Because last year the phones were so tied up with fireworks complaints citizens had trouble trying to report a fatal motorcycle accident at 37^th and Maize Road, just down the street from Johanson's neighborhood.  They couldn't get through by phone.  One man reported the incident to his father, a police officer, and another drove to a nearby EMS station.

To keep that from happening again, Sedgwick county has set up a special fireworks hotline just for the evening of the Fourth.

Starting at 6:00pm on the Fourth of July four people plus a supervisor will be answering calls about fireworks complaints alone. The idea is to free up the regularly scheduled dispatchers to answer phone calls that are for true emergencies.

“911 is for emergency life,” said Johanson.

So if no one needs medical attention and nothing is burning, except perhaps your ear drums, then call 290-1011 not 9-1-1.  The hotline will be manned from 6:00pm Wednesday through 3:00am Thursday.