NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Change is coming to the Metro Nashville Department of Emergency Communications in response to a lawsuit settlement surrounding the response to the Waffle House shooting in 2018.
The lawsuit was filed by victim Akilah DaSilva's mother Shaundelle Brooks after first responders originally went to the wrong Waffle House during the attack.
The Metro Emergency Communications Center as agreed to a more stringent reporting and review process if an employee's error results in injury or death, as recommended by Brooks.
MNDEC has agreed to the following procedure changes:
The purpose of this directive is to set forth the procedures to be following in incidents where the Department of Emergency Communications or an employee thereof is made aware of conduct that may have caused harm.
Should an incident occur where the DEC becomes aware that the actions of one or more employees may have created an increased risk of death or injury to persons or a significant loss of property, regardless of whether the source of information is internal or external, a report shall be filed immediately.
The Director or designee will review and document all incidents that the Department of Emergency Communications becomes aware of regarding agency or employee conduct that may have created an increased likeliness of death or injury to persons or a significant loss of property and take the steps are directed in CALEA 2.2.4.
If the incident is the result of the employee's violation of policy or procedure, the employee's conduct shall be reviewed and corrective action and/or discipline may be imposed up to and including dismissal. The results of the review shall be documented in a written report and placed in the employee's personnel file, subject to civil service rules.
