Key facts
- The EPA replaced desk phones with laptop calling software.
- The union claims the 9-1-1 geolocation feature of the new software is faulty.
- A recent medical emergency at the EPA's San Francisco office allegedly experienced a delayed response due to the software issue.
- An EPA employee stated managers instructed staff to close error messages related to the software.
- An EPA spokesperson stated the agency did not identify any system-wide malfunctions.
The union representing employees at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has raised concerns about the agency's recent switch from traditional desk phones to laptop-based calling software, citing potential safety issues.
According to Justin Chen, president of the largest EPA employee union, the software's 9-1-1 geolocation feature is reportedly not functioning correctly. Chen stated that this issue became apparent during a recent medical emergency at the EPA's San Francisco office, which he claims resulted in a delayed response from emergency services.
An EPA employee corroborated these concerns, stating that the emergency service software has been non-operational since its installation last year. The employee described receiving an "unable to connect" message and being instructed by managers to close the program. In the case of the medical emergency, while the regular call software functioned, the inability to pinpoint the caller's location reportedly delayed 9-1-1's response. The employee noted that the individual involved in the medical emergency was ultimately unharmed, but the situation highlights potential safety risks.