As a police call-taker, Kuzivakwashe Mujakachi approaches every incoming call as an emergency B次元官网网址� because they usually are.

When someone calls about a neighbourB次元官网网址檚 chicken, Mujakachi doesnB次元官网网址檛 get frustrated, instead promptly seeing an opportunity to educate.

Mujakachi related the farm animal story as part of a larger educational campaign launched by E-Comm at the end of each year. The emergency call-taking agency releases its Top 10 unusual 911 calls of 2024.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e handled many a very unusual call. My personal one didnB次元官网网址檛 make it to the list this yearB次元官网网址� I had somebody calling in because they were very upset about their neighbourB次元官网网址檚 chicken. It was doing a little too much in the morning, it was a little too loud and so they were very frustrated, which I can understand early mornings are not fun, but itB次元官网网址檚 definitely not something for the 911 line,B次元官网网址� Mujakachi said.

The Top 10 did include complaints about a dry cleaner, McDonalds, rotten avocados and domesticated-looking bunnies in the park.

Another neighbour complaint stands out for Mujakachi B次元官网网址� someone calling about their neighbour wearing too much cologne.

B次元官网网址淚 can understand itB次元官网网址檚 overwhelmingB次元官网网址� but itB次元官网网址檚 definitely not a call for the 911 emergency line,B次元官网网址� she said. The line is to direct resources for life-and-death emergencies B次元官网网址� whether medical or criminal in nature B次元官网网址� and crimes in progress.

B次元官网网址淓very single second counts,B次元官网网址� Mujakachi noted, B次元官网网址淵ou hear people say B次元官网网址榯hey got there just in timeB次元官网网址�. So imagine if there was a 10-second delay, those little seconds really, really count and I see this every day that I work here.B次元官网网址�

For many, someone calling the emergency line about a power outage or seeking directions to a 24/7 Shoppers Drug Mart (both on the Top 10 this year) might be a source of frustration or even anger over misuse of the service.

B次元官网网址淚 think we all have a very good understanding that nobody wants to call 911B次元官网网址� nobodyB次元官网网址檚 having a great day when they have to call 911 so we donB次元官网网址檛 get frustrated. It doesnB次元官网网址檛 occur to me to become angered by a caller,B次元官网网址� Mujakachi said, seated in a corner cubicle at the Saanich emergency call centre.

The last day of 2024 starts quiet, with just murmurs coming from adjacent call-takers. ItB次元官网网址檚 frequently more noisy B次元官网网址� and likely to get busier as 2025 approaches. E-Comm handles about two million 911 calls per year over two sites, an average day for one call-taker can include 40 calls, some less necessary than others.

Four years in, itB次元官网网址檚 a calling Mujakachi finds fulfills her purpose in life to be of B次元官网网址渟ervice before selfB次元官网网址�.

B次元官网网址淲e are ready to help. I think our predisposition is just being ready to serve. Whether or not this person is maybe being abusive on the line or maybe calling me names on the line, IB次元官网网址檓 still prepared to help.B次元官网网址�

Tips for 911 use include knowing your location, not programming 911 into a phone, preventing accidental calls and staying on the line if you do call accidentally.

B次元官网网址淚f you do call 911 and it is not an emergency, if itB次元官网网址檚 a pocket dial or a mistake, stay on the line and let us know you are OK,B次元官网网址� she said. That too can essentially become a nuisance call as the call-taker worries about the caller and their situation.

That said, Mujakachi emphasized that people shouldnB次元官网网址檛 hesitate to call if theyB次元官网网址檙e unsure.

B次元官网网址淥ne of the main things I will always vouch for is if you are unsure at all, please donB次元官网网址檛 hesitate to use the 911 line. if you are unsure as to whether your emergency is a real emergency or not, we are trained to guide you correctly. So if you are not sure, I will be sure for you,B次元官网网址� she said.

Advice to callers though: when the call-taker guides, go gracefully.

B次元官网网址淚t can be a little challenging when somebody tries to argue their case to stay on the emergency line.B次元官网网址�

Those looking to be prepared can visit nonemergency.ca to familiarize themselves with a list of alternate resources for reporting non-emergencies.

Top 10 list of 911 calls that shouldn't have been made in 2024

1. Their neighbour was wearing too much cologne
2. The dry cleaners stained their shirt
3. McDonaldB次元官网网址檚 wouldnB次元官网网址檛 open their doors
4. They wanted directions to a 24/7 Shoppers Drug Mart
5. Complaining the power was out
6. Requesting technical support
7. The box of 38 avocados they purchased were rotten
8. They left their phone in an Uber
9. Requesting help removing a wasp nest
10. There was a domesticated-looking bunny in the park