911 Dispatcher Helps Little Boy Who Had 'Bad Day' at School with Math Homework
911 operators have high stress jobs. They answer calls day in and day out, many with frightened or grieving individuals on the other end of the line.
False or prank calls come through from time to time. These keep operators from answering more important emergency calls that need to be attended to.
According to VeryWell Health, laws vary from state to state, but a prank call to 911 could have some serious consequences.
When one kid in Lafayette, Indiana called 911, his problem wasn’t quite dire enough to be considered an emergency, but it wasn’t a prank call either.
Lafayette Indiana Police Department released a tweet of the audio recording between dispatcher Antonia Bundy and the child.
“Hi, um, can you hear me?” the boy begins. Bundy responds that she can. As the conversation continues, it sounds as if the boy is hesitant, already feeling bad for making the call.
But Bundy remains forever gracious. The caller explains that he had a bad day. His tone sounds discouraged and frustrated.
Anyone who has ever had difficulties with math homework can relate. Fractions are the worst and this child felt bogged down by it all.
“I just have tons of homework,” he says. Rather than send the child on his way, Bundy offers to help him solve a problem.
Listen as she helps him figure out what “3X4 plus 1X4” equals. She’s a true gem and good Samaritan if there ever was one.
Our dispatchers never know what the next call might be.They train for many emergency situations, homework help is not one they plan for. We don’t recommend 911 for homework help but this dispatcher helped a young boy out and brightened his day.@PoliceOne @apbweb @wlfi @WTHRcom pic.twitter.com/w3qCYfJP7O
— LafayetteINPolice (@LafayetteINPD) January 25, 2019
As the call comes to a close, Bundy asks if he needs help with anything else. The boy also apologizes for calling.
“We’re always here to help,” she tells him. Thankfully, it was a slow day for the homework hero, according to Inside Edition, which allowed her to take the time to help this young man out.
“That day there were 6 other dispatchers in the room…” Bundy shared with Inside Edition. “Thankfully I was able to dedicate the time to him.”
Bundy added she also hopes her kindness made a difference — and that she didn’t give him the wrong answer!
Of course, police still advise against calling 911 for homework help.
“We don’t recommend 911 for homework help but this dispatcher helped a young boy out and brightened his day,” the police department tweeted.
We’re grateful for people like this woman who stop to help others with even the smallest things. She’s a true example of love and patience.
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