Oklahoma City 911 dispatchers to receive tougher training

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The Oklahoma City Fire Department's 911 dispatchers will get tougher training from now one. <br/><br/>New training was ordered Tuesday after complaints that a dispatcher lacked

Wednesday, November 24th 2004, 6:31 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The Oklahoma City Fire Department's 911 dispatchers will get tougher training from now one.

New training was ordered Tuesday after complaints that a dispatcher lacked compassion during a call about a fire that killed six people.

Fire Chief Alan Benson called for a review after an emergency dispatcher was criticized for his treatment of a frantic mother's call on September 26th. A fire killed the woman, her husband, their three children and a neighbor who was spending the night.

Authorities say dispatchers currently receive on-the-job training. A plan released yesterday will include classroom training for dispatchers.

A study found the dispatcher's actions would not have changed the outcome of the deadly fire.