I-TEAM: Radio silence continues in silent alarm investigation

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The I-TEAM is working to get answers for you as the investigation into Augusta’s 911 Center and emergency response throughout Richmond County continues.

For months the I-TEAM has gathered emails, documents and reports about the Augusta Fire Department and how it responds to emergency calls.

With life-saving services, every second counts. That was the case when an entire house went up in flames on Old Louisville Road which is directly across the street from Augusta Fire Station 16.

Our I-TEAM’s report “Silent Alarm” uncovered how Teresa Ingram and Rex Williams died in that deadly house fire, despite the fire department being housed right across the street.

“How much closer can you get to a fire station? If we had a catastrophic incident, rock throwing distance to the fire department, and they can’t even get here,” said Tommy Williams.

The I-TEAM uncovered nearly 150 cases of dispatching errors when you, the people of Richmond County, called 911 for help. Firefighters have been delayed responding to calls or even missing calls altogether since late 2021.

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That included anything from medical calls, structure fires and vehicle accidents.

“Why would they let it continue all knowing that it’s not working right?” said Farrah Hembree.

As loud as the family’s calls for answers are, it’s been nothing but radio silence from the Augusta Fire Department and city leaders. But, the I-TEAM went looking for answers.

We found no response from any of your elected officials or from the head person charged with running the Augusta Fire Department. Before our report aired on April 29, we reached out to Commissioner Catherine Smith-McKnight on April 23.

She is the chair of the Augusta Public Safety Committee. We called Smith-McKnight, who said she was unaware of what Purvis was and didn’t know about the issue at all.

The day after our report ran, on April 30, we went to the public safety committee meeting to get answers from your elected officials. Smith-McKnight said she had not seen our report.

“I did not because I had my fundraiser and then I went out to dinner, so I didn’t see it. I need to brush up on it. I’ll brush up on it and I’ll go in there real quick and do that,” said Smith-McKnight.

Augusta Fire Chief Antonio Burden also gave us no comment at the meeting.

On May 1, we asked Smith-McKnight for a sit-down interview regarding the dispatching system – and including a link to our report. There was no response.

On May 3, we reached out to Smith-McKnight again for comment.

She told us in a text message, “At this time, I have no comment about the dispatch system until I see paper evidence. I will gladly do an interview once I get the facts and read up on this.”

“I did not receive your report. Whatever the case is, I wasn’t Public Safety chair two years ago. I am just hearing about this,” said Smith-McKnight.

Commissioner McKnight goes on to say, “I am in the middle of re-election so it’s a busy time. Again, once I receive an email and read everything then I can elaborate on this.”

We followed up with her again on May 6, and have not heard back.

We reached out to an Augusta Fire Department spokesperson about our report, asking for a sit-down interview with Chief Burden. We have not heard back.

The I-TEAM tracked down agendas and minutes from public safety committee and commission meetings and found this dispatching issue has not been discussed since 2019.

That’s when the contract agreement was voted on and approved.

That’s despite the fire department telling us in a statement they’re aware of the issue and are investigating it. These issues have been ongoing since 2021 when the system went online.

There’s a lack of urgency in responding to this issue – where every second matters. It could mean the difference in when or if first responders show up for your emergency.

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