DC Fire Department Communications dispatched a box alarm to 1846 Varnum Street, NW. Approximately seven minutes into the alarm, communications notified the 4th Battalion Chief that the correct address was 1846 Vernon Street, NW, approximately 20 blocks away. A civilian interviewed on the scene states he repeatedly spelled the name of the street, meanwhile the dispatcher asked if she could “hang up”. Two civilians jumped from the 3rd floor prior to FD arrival http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6UWJSOTnwY
Lessons Learned
Efficient, effective, and professional communications are imperative to the success of any operation. With a failure in communications, as evidenced in this incident, any operations is in jeopardy, as well as the lives of civilians and responders. Remember, one of the first ‘size-up’ factors is your dispatch information.