Finally someone pays attention!

Hey, this blog hasn't been active for a while. Why? Because I thought I was the only one who cared about this issue. Turns out I was wrong--at least one other person in the country thinks it is worth considering!

Please read the commentary on CNN.com from the link above... YAY!

Another reason not to trust the 911 system

Now not only do we have the fear of our every word being played on Howard Stern, we also have to put up with the possible reality that our calls to 911 will be ignored. Read the story.

September 11 911 calls to be released to the public

CNN.com reports that September 11 "911" calls are being released to the public.

"An appeals court ruled last year that the public could only hear the voices of 911 operators and other government employees on the tapes, saying the frantic calls of victims in the burning twin towers were too emotional to be released without families' consent.

But a state judge ruled Wednesday that the city must provide the names of the 28 people, along with other excerpts that could help identify more callers. On Thursday, the city filed an appeal, effectively staying that order. The Times would need to seek an appellate hearing to lift the stay."

University of Minnesota Privacy

The University of Minnesoata has posted their privacy guidelines for 911 calls.

"The University collects and maintains a variety of information, including information about its students, faculty, staff and others. This information is collected in order to conduct University business. Information is classified as private or public based on federal and state law.

Private information can only be released to the subject of the information and to those within the university who have a legitimate need-to-know, outside entities with the subject's written permission, and others as allowed by law. Some private information, like protected health information (PHI) and electronic PHI, is protected by law.

Public information is available to anyone who requests it, except in the case of student data, when the student has requested that no public information about him/her be released without express written permission. "

Baldwin Emergency Medical Services near Pittsburgh PA has posted the following on their website "We will restrict access to non-public personal information about you to those employees whom have a need to know. Our EMS is in full compliance with HIPAA, which focuses on protecting your personal patient information, however we will review records for Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement and Billing purposes only. We maintain both electronic and physical procedural safeguards to comply with Federal and State regulations with regards to protecting this information."

Good advice.

911 and HIPAA

Hmm... hadn't thought of this one... Utica, NY Emergency Response has posted their 911 calls privacy practices. It's certainly a good start!

Kentucky Press Association

This Kentucky Press Association Article has some interesting ideas for discussion. In this particular case, an individual is trying to get a recorded copy of a 911 call and the tape was held for privacy purposes due to fear of retaliation. Specifically, the appellate coure cited: (1) whether there is a privacy interest in the requested record, and then (2) whether that privacy interest is outweighed by the general policy of openness.

Note: I have never said that there is not a reason for the public to hear a 911 tape--indeed, there are many valid reasons. This issue is about the recording and wide-distribution of such recrodings for amusement.