Dispatcher Lacks Tact

Recently in Sumner, there was a couple involved in a domestic dispute right outside our office.  As a concerned citizen, I dialed 911 when we saw the woman shoving the man.  Apparently, our 911 calls are directed through the Puyallup Dispatch Center.  This particular dispatcher was rude from the get go.  She asked what I was reporting and I told her possible domestic violence.  Next, she requested the location which I supplied.  She then asked me to describe the man. As I began to describe his height, color of shirt and pants, she interrupted me curtly asking if he was Caucasian. In fact, she sounded exasperated.   I answered yes.  First, these connections to dispatch are not good.  I could barely hear her as she spoke and over the course of the continued conversation, her abrupt behavior only made me angry. Here I was trying to help by reporting what I felt was domestic violence and she wanted to cop an attitude.  As I watch the man begin to leave the scene, I tried to let the dispatcher know.  Not a sound...not a reply.  I kept saying "hello" and commenting I didn't think anyone was on the line with me.  For several seconds I tried to reach someone by saying hello or asking if anyone was there.  Finally she snapped that she was there and told me to hold.  I never heard her say that...not once.  Here's the thing.  I know a dispatchers job is challenging; especially when trying to keep callers calm.  But, I was calm, speaking intelligently, tried to provide the specifics being asked of me.  Eventually, I was so frustrated by her tone and rudeness, I just said forget it and hung up.  Wouldn't it be awful if we knew what would happen when we called 911 that we simply stopped reporting emergencies?  That's the extreme, I know.  But still, dispatchers need to be clear, ensure the caller can hear them, and should allow the caller to answer their questions before interrupting them.  Also, when asking for a description, why not just ask what race he/she is and then describe what they are wearing.  Finally, using a little tact goes a long way.  It certainly would have made my reporting experience more worth while.