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CalOES Scraps $450M Regional 911 Upgrade After Failed Rollout (CA)
(TNS) — In 2018, as California was laying the groundwork to build a new 911 system for the state, a massive fire ripped through Butte County, decimating several Northern California communities and killing over 80 people. The devastating Camp Fire, which wiped out cell...
Connected at Every Turn: AT&T Powers Las Vegas Race Week During F1 Chase (NV)
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 20, 2025 AT&T lights up the Vegas Strip with “The Speed of Light,” supercharges Oracle Red Bull Racing’s data-driven edge and elite FirstNet® support for public safety’s communications
Cal OES releases plan to complete delayed ‘Next Gen 911’ system overhaul, address past missteps (CA)
Following years of delays and technical issues plaguing the state’s overhaul of its aging 9-1-1 system, officials with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) outlined a plan Wednesday to get the beleaguered project back on track, anticipating statewide deployment of the new Next Generation 911 system by 2030.
The report follows a year-long pause in the state’s Next Gen 911 rollout, during which state officials and a paid consultant investigated the scope of the problems with the new 911 system and how they might be overcome.
Haywood dispatcher thinks fast to save a life (NC)
Dispatchers are an often overlooked part of a county’s overall emergency response, but their role is as vital as any other.
This was made clear all across the region during Hurricane Helene, as thousands of 911 calls poured in from people in their most desperate hour. More recently, on Sept. 28, Haywood County Emergency Communicator Kaylin Greene again proved the point by thinking fast with a life on the line to get responders where they needed to go.
Joint City & County meeting advances shared goal of strengthening 9-1-1 services across … (NC)
In a joint governmental meeting focused on public safety and collaboration, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners and the Fayetteville City Council met on Thursday, Nov. 13, to discuss a comprehensive framework for consolidated 9-1-1 communications services. Both governing bodies reaffirmed their shared commitment to improving emergency response for all residents of Cumberland County.
House Communications & Technology Committee holds public hearing on school panic … (PA)
Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus November 17, 2025 | 2:55 PM
HARRISBURG, Nov. 17 – In a step to increase school safety for students and teachers, the PA House Communications & Technology Committee held a public hearing Monday on legislation (H.B. 634) introduced by state Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks, that would require schools to consider implementing silent panic alarm buttons in classrooms during the annual review of their safety and security practices.
AT&T Improves Its 5G Service Using Spectrum it Bought From DISH
AT&T has completed one of the fastest large-scale spectrum deployments in U.S. wireless history by integrating mid-band 3.45 GHz licenses acquired from DISH’s parent EchoStar across nearly 23,000 cell sites in a matter of weeks. AT&T announced today that the new spectrum is now active in more than 5,300 cities and towns spanning 48 states, adding significant capacity and performance to the carrier’s existing 5G network.
LakeComm’s New 911 Emergency Communications Center goes live (IL)
Lake Consolidated Emergency Communications is officially operational at the Regional Operations and Communications Facility in Libertyville, after the successful completion of a two-week consolidation of 911 and public safety communications services for 30 police and...
First Responders Overwhelmingly Support Reauthorization of FirstNet
93% of America’s first responders — police, fire, and EMS — want Congress to reauthorize the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority). It is the agency that oversees FirstNet, America’s dedicated public safety broadband network. FirstNet’s infrastructure, which includes Band 14 (the radio spectrum reserved by Congress for first responders), is operated under a competitively bid contract won by AT&T.
DeKalb County Enhances Public Safety by Joining Tennessee Advanced
DeKalb County has officially joined the Tennessee Advanced Communications Network (TACN), enhancing its emergency services through improved communication systems. In a recent ribbon-cutting event held at the DeKalb Community Complex, representatives from the county's...
911 dispatcher shortage ‘a dangerous situation,’ incentives offered (HI)
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Honolulu police are rolling out big new bonuses — up to $2,000 per month for some — to keep 911 operators on the job in the hopes of solving a growing staffing issue. House Rep. Darius Kila recently paid a visit to the Joint Traffic Management...
Scott County sees smoother emergency response after 911 merger (MO)
SCOTT COUNTY, Mo. (KFVS) - Just over a week after Sikeston’s Communications Center officially took over all 911 dispatching for southern Scott County, officials say the transition has gone smoothly, and emergency response times are already improving. The merger...
New 911 Emergency Communication Center delivers dispatchers space, technology upgrades (IA)
DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) - Dubuque celebrated the opening of its new 911 Emergency Communications Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday, marking the completion of a project the county has discussed for more than a decade. The facility at 7880 Chavenelle Drive...
Nashville mayor calls for independent review at Metro’s 911 Center following recent HR complaints (TN)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell is now calling for an independent review at Metro's 911 Emergency Communications Center. NewsChannel 5 Investigates has been following complaints from former employees at the emergency call center. Most...
Georgia looks to modernize 911 system for faster emergency response
ATLANTA (WJBF) – Georgia is moving to modernize its 911 call center system to make it easier for people to get help during emergencies. State lawmakers passed two key measures last session, including House Bill 423, which requires all new 911 systems to meet Next...
Vernon County implementing next generation 911 this week (WI)
VERNON COUNTY, Wis. – The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office notified Vernon County residents on Tuesday that the Sheriff’s Office 911 Communications Center has begun a two day transition to Next Generation 911. The transition to a new system is the culmination of a...
Columbia County looks to give dispatchers a pay bump (AR)
Columbia County Sheriff Leroy Martin said if changes aren’t made to increase the eight dispatcher’s salaries for the county, the situation could become a crisis. Martin spoke to the Columbia County Quorum Court Budget Committee recently, saying that increasing...
Some Shawnee County dispatchers to soon see a ‘temporary retention incentive’ (KS)
On Monday, Nov. 3, the Commission approved an agreement with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) to provide dispatchers a temporary retention payment as an incentive for experienced personnel to stay until the pay increase begins, while they continue to...
Committee advances Senate File 57 to require 911 outage reporting framework, adds Public … (WY)
The Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee voted to advance Senate File 57, a measure to adjust 9-1-1 reporting and add the Public Safety Communications Commission (PSCC) as a recipient of outage and funding reports. The bill directs a...
SLO County touts improved public safety with opening of new dispatch center (CA)
Medford Fire Chief Eric Thompson said the agreement with PSTC resolved difficult communications challenges facing the city’s public-safety LMR network, the water commission’s radio system, and coverage gaps realized by subscribers of FirstNet, which is built and...
Reauthorization SurveyMORE>
PSBTA Releases Survey on First Responder Support for FirstNet Reauthorization
New Survey: First Responders Overwhelmingly Support Reauthorization of FirstNet
A new bipartisan national survey commissioned by the Public Safety Broadband Technology Association finds near- unanimous support among first responders for reauthorizing the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority)– the agency overseeing America’s dedicated public safety broadband network.
PETITIONSMORE>
Congress should reauthorize the FirstNet Authority now.
Support the reauthorization of the FirstNet Authority to preserve public safety’s network
PSBTA UpdatesMORE>
Podcast
FirstNet and the 4.9 GHz Spectrum
This episode dives into the critical evolution of public safety communications, focusing on the recent FCC decision to establish a nationwide Band Manager framework for the 4.9 GHz spectrum, and discuss the evolution and deployment of the FirstNet System. Host Chris Tubbs interviews Chief Jeff Johnson, a leader in public safety technology and the development of FirstNet. Together, they explore the history, governance, and transformative potential of FirstNet and the 4.9 GHz spectrum in enhancing public safety operations with emerging technologies like AI, 5G, and augmented reality. The discussion emphasizes the importance of protecting and optimizing public safety spectrum, the lessons learned from past advocacy efforts, and a call to action for public safety leaders to remain engaged in ensuring the spectrum’s effective use and governance.
LISTEN TO PODCAST
Public Sector GrantsMORE>
Webinar
Accessing Federal Resources When an Emergency or Major Disaster Strikes
In light of the major disasters that our nation has recently experienced, PS Grants is offering this FREE webinar to review Disaster Assistance Programs and how to access them. Learn what federal funds and resources are available through Disaster Assistance, understand the process of requesting assistance, know what to expect before, during, and after, and find out who to contact for help.
REGISTER
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