Union President: 911 Call Center In Nassau County Is Dangerously Understaffed

MASSAPEQUA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A union leader says there aren't enough workers in Nassau County's 911 call center.

Jerry Laricchiuta, president of Civil Service Employees Association in Nassau County, told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall that the number of 911 operators in Nassau has been cut from 180 to 141.

The county "also reduced how many will be on duty at one time by about 10," Laricchiuta said. "So when you add all of that up, you're going to have days where you only have three or four 911 operators to start the day off with."

A father from Massapequa told Hall that just after Thanksgiving his 18-month-old son stopped breathing. But when his wife call 911 repeatedly, she received a recording asking her to hold on for the next operator. The family ended up calling the Fire Department, and the toddler is OK.

Laricchiuta is asking for legislative hearings to add more 911 operators.

"They don't understand the seriousness of the problem," he said. "The public doesn't understand it, and the legislators don't understand it. And they would, if they agreed to hearings."

The county did not respond to Hall's request for comment.