Atlanta 911 Chief Fired

By Odette Yousef

Atlanta, GA – The head of Atlanta's 911 Emergency Communications Center has been fired. Miles Butler has been blamed for problems that resulted in long delays that residents encountered when calling for help.

WABE's Odette Yousef reports.

Almost a year to the day after he started the job, Miles Butler stood in front of the city's public safety committee in January of 2009. City Council members wanted to know why it took nearly 90 seconds for dispatchers to answer calls about a house fire in Grant Park. The house ultimately burnt down, and since then, so has at least one other for the same reason.

Councilman C.T. Martin says under Butler, the operation was a mess.

MARTIN: The calls are being delayed, recruiting and retention is a problem. So it's mechanical problems, operational problems, personality problems, proper know-how

Butler said in January that the 911 center was significantly understaffed. It's not clear whether that's been fixed, or whether a recent move to new headquarters has improved efficiency.

Atlanta Police Lieutenant Brenda Ross, a commander in the 911 center, will serve as interim director.

Odette Yousef, WABE News.