HARPER’S FERRY, W.VA. – First responders in West Virginia answering 911 calls may now go into a residence to investigate without fear of being sued, thanks to a law signed Wednesday by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin.
Tears flowed from the family of Jaclyn Alden, 29, of California, who died in her home because the door was locked, and crews couldn’t get in, according to The Herald-Mail.
"Jaclyn was having a medical emergency and couldn't speak. She kept dialing 911 and hanging up, dialing and hanging up, at least six times, before the dispatcher sent help. The rescue crew knocked on the door and looked through the windows, but they didn't see anything so they left," her mother, Anna Alden, told reporters.
She made her first calls at 8 a.m., and was found dead by her boyfriend about 5 p.m.
Alden and her daughter are on a nationwide campaign to get states to pass a law similar to West Virginia’s.
Delegate Tiffany Lawrence, D-Jefferson, who introduced the bill told reporters: "We've documented similar cases (to Jaclyn Alden's) in the state. This bill will correct a deficiency in the law."
During the signing ceremony in a fire house in Charles Town, the governor said: “When citizens call 911, they're scared. They're in fear for their lives…”
He added that sometimes crews have to take drastic measures to gain access, including breaking down the doors.
