Lubbock Firefighters Association Addresses 911 Dispatch Problems

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The Lubbock Professional Firefighters Association is expressing concern over reports that not all 911 calls are being answered.

In a press release, the Lubbock Firefighters said that the communication breakdowns "have the potential to put lives at risk" and that includes the public and first responders.

LUBBOCK, July 21, 2023 - The Lubbock Professional Firefighter's Association recently learned of major inadequacies in LPD’s 911 dispatch system. The safety of our city's residents and the effectiveness of our emergency response services rely heavily on a well-functioning and fully staffed dispatch system. However, we have learned of countless instances of unanswered 911 calls. This not only jeopardizes the safety of our first responders, but also compromises our ability to provide timely and life-saving assistance to those in need. These communication breakdowns have the potential to put lives at risk.

Our Association is gravely concerned about these issues. We remain committed to providing excellent service to our citizens, while being good stewards of taxpayer resources. That is why we urge our city leadership to address these critical public safety problems immediately, before our citizens or our public servants face irreparable harm. We must prioritize the safety of our community by promptly and diligently addressing the problems within the 911 dispatch system.

According to multiple reports, in 2022 there were 183,436 911 calls placed to the Lubbock Police. Out of those, 30,017 were abandoned. The Lubbock Police Department says that out of those abandoned called, 26,448 were called back.