I-TEAM UPDATE: City officials work to fix silent alarm issues
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - More than two months ago, our I-TEAM first uncovered a pattern or problems with Augusta 911′s dispatch system and the Augusta Fire Department.
On Tuesday, this issue was supposed to be brought up in legal. It’s behind closed doors in executive session, where we have no idea what’s talked about.
Still, the I-TEAM may have found what the potential issue is.
In April, our I-TEAM uncovered at least 139 cases over the past two years when dispatch calls to Augusta fire stations failed to go through.
FULL I-TEAM COVERAGE:
- Augusta leaders stall discussion on silent alarms
- City leader calls for answers on silent alarms at Augusta Fire Department
- Radio silence continues in silent alarm investigation
- Leaders respond to silent alarms in Augusta Fire Department
- Silent alarms within the Augusta Fire Department
That led to delays in response times.
Among those delays and dispatch errors was a deadly house fire just across the street from a fire station.
Two people were found just steps from the home’s front door.
An open records request shows the fire department may have found what was causing the problem.
Will Augusta leaders address concerns after downtown shootiung?
City leaders, including a commissioner and the mayor, spoke about the shooting hours afterward on Saturday, so it won’t be surprising for them to continue to address that matter of safety downtown.
Right now, it’s still unclear what was discussed at Tuesday’s legal session before the committee meeting.
We’ve reached out to Commissioner Catherine Smith-McKnight, who chairs the public safety committee.
We’ve learned a meeting was held between I.T. and the fire department just four days after our initial report aired.
We’re going to continue following this story as we get new information.
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