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Family, Firefighters Union Blame 911 Dispatch Errors for Kansas Woman's Death in Fire

An independent investigation is being called for into 'systemic issues' at the dispatch center after it failed to relay crucial information to firefighters.

  • Paoly Bedeski, 22, died in an apartment fire in Wichita, Kansas, after the 911 dispatch center failed to relay her apartment number to firefighters and delayed sounding a second alarm.
  • The family of Bedeski and the local firefighters union are blaming the dispatch center's mistakes for her death and are calling for an independent investigation into the center's 'systemic issues'.
  • County officials are gathering information and plan to have an advisory board review the incident next week.
  • Elora Forshee, director of Sedgwick County Emergency Communications, said Bedeski’s call was not clear enough for the dispatcher to understand that she was trapped.
  • Audio from Bedeski's call shows she clearly stated her apartment complex and number after being asked to repeat herself, contradicting Forshee's claim.
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