Seattle Fire Department Faces Audit and Scrutiny Over AI-Assisted 911 Triage and Nurse Line
The Seattle City Council questioned the Fire Department regarding its use of an AI program and an out-of-state nurse line for emergency calls, demanding stricter oversight.
Seattle City Council members have launched an inquiry into the Fire Department's use of an artificial intelligence program and an out-of-state nurse line for 911 emergency medical triage.
Audit and Safety Questions
The Seattle Fire Department is being questioned by the City Council over its use of an out-of-state nurse line and an AI program for 911 calls. Brought up during a public safety committee meeting, this situation has triggered calls for greater accountability.
Nurse Line and Wait Times
Callers routed to the out-of-state, Texas-based nurse line can face hours of waiting for ambulances, and the city does not track these wait times. Councilmember Bob Kettle is demanding a more advanced oversight mechanism over this process.
AI-Assisted Triage
Provided by the Danish company Corti, the AI program has been listening to Seattle's emergency medical calls since 2023 and guiding dispatchers on whether to route certain patients to the nurse line.
Fire Administration's Defense
Fire Chief Harold Scoggins defended the use of the nurse line and AI tool, stating that these practices were implemented to ease the burden on a heavily strained system. However, contract changes in 2022 exempted nurse-cleared ambulances from city response time standards.
Next Steps and Evaluations
While officials noted that human oversight remains in place, the University of Washington is evaluating the effectiveness of the AI program. Authorities plan to examine potential contract adjustments and enhanced oversight processes.