Help on hold: 911 Operator ignores emergency call to order McDonald's breakfast in the U.S.
An emergency call placed in Savannah, Georgia, has triggered public outrage and prompted an internal review of 911 procedures after questions were raised about how the situation was handled.
A recent emergency call in Savannah, Georgia, has raised serious concerns about the performance of local 911 services. What began as a distressing situation for one family has now sparked broader scrutiny of how emergency calls are handled in the region.
The incident, which occurred in mid-February, has drawn public attention after surprising audio from the call surfaced. Authorities have since responded, and internal reviews are underway as officials work to address the growing criticism.
What happened during the 911 called in Georgia?
According to CBS affiliate WTOC, the incident occurred on Friday, February 14, when first-time father Dylan Johnson attempted to report a possible intruder at his home.
Johnson, who was at work at the time, received a call from his wife, who was alone with their five-month-old baby and feared someone was lurking near their house. He tried contacting 911 three times before finally getting through—only to be shocked by what he heard during the call.
In audio released by WTOC, the 911 operator can be heard saying, “Mmm… McGriddle… Excuse me, what?”—a remark seemingly directed at someone else in the room, about three minutes into the call.
Johnson, already under stress, said he was stunned by the operator’s behavior. “I really couldn’t believe it,” he told the outlet. “If it hadn’t happened to me, I wouldn’t believe it happened to someone else. That’s how unbelievable it was.”
Chatham County officials confirmed that the operator had responded to someone in the room during the emergency call. In an official statement, they acknowledged, “These two conversations should never have overlapped.”
What measures have been taken against the 911 operator, who order a McDonald's breakfast?
Following public outcry, the county announced that appropriate disciplinary action had been taken against the operator and that new procedures were being implemented to prevent similar situations in the future.
“This particular 911 call does not reflect the level of service we aim to provide to Chatham County residents,” the statement read. Despite the controversy, the county noted that the call was answered within 24 seconds, and police arrived on the scene 16 minutes later. Officers found no signs of an intruder, according to WTOC.
Chatham County Commission Chairman Chester Ellis addressed the incident in an interview with WTOC, stating that the operator’s actions are under review. The event has prompted a broader evaluation of emergency response protocols, as the county seeks to improve its handling of critical situations.
The Savannah Police Department declined to provide further details on the nature of the call or the progress of the investigation, according to People.