Heads should be rolling in Fulton County Emergency Management Agency in a major way over the latest twist in the 911 operator’s error that led to the death of Darlene Dukes. Gina Conteh, the operator in question, has a personnel history that is disgraceful, to say the least. Are you ready to gasp? Ms. Conteh’s personnel file is 2,100 pages long. WSB-TV Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Jodie Fleischer combed through the file Tuesday afternoon for 90 minutes. She found officials reports of mistakes handling 911 calls, unsatisfactory work reviews, accusations of insubordination and the instances when Conteh fell asleep at her 911 call terminal. The accusations against Conteh led to five suspensions, multiple written reprimands, verbal warnings and even anger management counseling, according to Fleischer.
Conteh was fired after Fulton County officials said she mishandled a 911 call that may have led to the death of Darlene Dukes of Johns Creek. After Dukes called for help from her home, it took more than 20 minutes for emergency crews to reach her and an hour for an ambulance to get to her. “It’s very, very troubling to think that we had less than acceptable standards of performance within our call center,” said Fulton County commissioner Lynne Riley, whose district includes Johns Creek.
According to news reports, the deputy director of the county’s 911 center has been put in charge during an investigation of the mishandled emergency call that ended with Duke’s death. County manager Zachary Williams said that Alfred “Rocky” Moore, will continue to head Fulton’s Emergency Management Agency but Crystal Williams will lead the emergency communications center. Moore has been director of 911 operations since 1997. He was appointed EMA director in July 2006. Williams has been deputy director since 2006.
The human resource director should be reprimanded too for keeping this toxic employee on the city’s payroll. Sooner or later something horrible was bound to happen and an innocent person seeking assistance lost her life for no reason. I see a lawsuit in the future and it will be a well-founded one at this. This is simply unacceptable and bordering on criminal, if you ask me!
Filed under: Darlene Dukes, Gina Conteh
Black Political Thought 