As insurance executives, you understand the importance of risk management and preparedness. But what happens when the very services meant to protect us fail? The recent tragedy in Washington D.C., where a 5-month-old infant died during a 911 computer outage, highlights the need for transparency and accountability in emergency services.

For nearly three weeks, the Director of the Office of Unified Communications, Heather McGaffin, remained silent on the issue. It wasn’t until a press conference was held that she finally spoke to the media. McGaffin acknowledged that there were areas where “things could be better,” but she spent a lot of time deflecting serious concerns about training, transparency, and her ability to run the agency.

One of the ongoing issues with D.C.’s 911 call center is the lack of call-taker training. This was especially evident during the outage when dispatchers didn’t manually confirm emergency crews were available and en route to the child. While D.C. officials claim that call-takers receive in-depth training on manual dispatch, safety advocates and audits of the agency suggest otherwise.

As insurance executives, you know that preparedness is key to mitigating risk. But what happens when the very services meant to protect us fail? The lack of transparency and accountability in emergency services can have devastating consequences. In the case of the infant’s death, it’s clear that there were serious issues that needed to be addressed.

At Riskwolf, we understand the importance of real-time data and dynamic risk modeling. We enable insurers to build and operate parametric insurance at scale, turning real-time data into insurance. But we also understand that insurance is only one part of the equation. Emergency services must be held accountable for their actions, and transparency is key to ensuring that they are prepared to handle any situation.

The tragedy in Washington D.C. is a wake-up call for all of us. We must demand transparency and accountability from our emergency services. We must ensure that they are properly trained and prepared to handle any situation. And we must work together to mitigate risk and protect our communities.

To learn more about the importance of transparency and accountability in emergency services, read the original article by Lisa Fletcher here: https://wjla.com/news/local/washington-dc-911-call-center-director-heather-mcgaffin-interview-media-conference-watch-latest-ouc-office-of-unified-communication-investigation-outage-issues-staffing-resources-public-safety-911. And if you’re interested in learning more about how Riskwolf can help you turn real-time data into insurance, visit our website and get in touch today.