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News & Articles
New 911 tech means new ways to call for help, more accurate tracking for responders (VA)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - Picture this: someone lost on a trail, or a driver trapped after a crash. A call goes out and in real time, a GPS locator drops a pin on the dispatcher’s screen. “What this enhanced GPS does is it will really provide a precise location of...
Cornelius 911 center completes major tech upgrade (NC)
Leaders say this is one of a handful of 911 centers in North Carolina to feature next-generation features. CORNELIUS, N.C. — The Cornelius 911 Emergency Communications Center has completed a major technology upgrade that town leaders say places it among only a handful...
Game-changing technologies poised to reshape 911
911 and public-safety networks have entered a pivotal phase. A convergence of technological breakthroughs and regulatory momentum is redefining how emergency-communications networks will be designed, deployed, and operated. These developments aren’t merely...
Brown County’s 911 dispatcher shortage is relentless. What will it take to fix it? (WI)
For years, Brown County has struggled to hire people to answer 911 calls and coordinate responses to emergencies. Its emergency dispatch center was among many that grappled with worsened staffing shortages after the COVID-19 pandemic. But as the crisis eases...
Dispatcher over and out after 40 years on the air (OH)
CANFIELD — Cheri Smith sits at the dispatch desk at the Canfield Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol with a box of Cheerios nearby and 1980s music on the radio at a low volume. It’s Thursday — the day before her official retirement date — but she will work for...
Five years after a major DC 911 misfire, America’s emergency dispatch systems still falter
Billie Shepperd was planning her daughter Sheila’s 60th birthday party in June 2020 when the phone rang. She had been imagining family members traveling from Washington, DC, to celebrate at the beach with crab legs and potato salad, when she picked up to hear Maria...
Proposed wind farm projects could impact 911 service and public safety (NY)
WAMPSVILLE, NY — For the first time, Madison County leaders are linking potential 911 connectivity issues with proposed wind farms, saying the wind turbines will interfere with 911 communications. Madison County says the proposed Liberty Renewals’ Hoffman Falls Wind...
RiverCom 911 Moves Forward With Plans for New Emergency Communications Center (WA)
WENATCHEE — RiverCom 911 has received a key approval from the state’s Project Review Committee, clearing the way for the agency to move forward with planning a new emergency communications facility. The committee gave unanimous support for RiverCom to use a General Contractor/Construction Manager (GC/CM) delivery method—an approach that brings contractors into the planning process before design is finalized.RiverCom officials say this early collaboration is critical for a 911 center, where the system must function seamlessly from day one. By identifying potential issues early, GC/CM helps avoid delays, cut down on costly changes, and ensure taxpayer money is used efficiently.
County Commission approves AI automation of certain non-emergency calls | Free – Emporia Gazette (KS)
The Lyon County Commission approved the purchase of a 4-month pilot with Hyper to automate 10 non-emergency call types for a total of $16,200 to be paid from the Dispatch Contractual Services fund.The new program, developed by new San Francisco based startup Hyper, is designed to respond to calls related to utilities, parking, controlled burns, and other non-911 issues. An AI voice, customizable by gender and talking speed, will ask for information and process it, transferring the caller if needed.
Fairfax County tests AI for public safety calls, eyes expanded implementation | FFXnow (VA)
Yesterday (Tuesday) marked a major milestone in the future of Fairfax County’s emergency response: one of the agency’s first uses of artificial intelligence.
For a brief period of time that day, the county’s Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC) tested an AI system to triage select calls for service to the non-emergency line, officials announced.
In Quarters: San Ramon Joint Public Safety Building – Firehouse Magazine (CA)
This facility received the Renovations Notable award in the 2024 Firehouse Station Design Awards. Find the full list of winners here. This project for the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District and the city of San Ramon remodels approximately 70,000 sq. ft. of existing city-owned buildings and includes the addition of a new 9,000-sq.-ft. emergency operations center (EOC) and 9-1-1 communications center.
Austin considers ‘Unified Emergency Communications Department,’ eyeing faster response times (TX)
The plan calls for consolidating 911 dispatch operations within the Austin Police Department, Austin Fire Department and Austin-Travis County EMS.
Spokane plans new emergency communications center after split from regional 911 system (WA)
SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane is moving forward with plans to create its own Emergency Communications Center to serve as the city’s primary 911 dispatch hub. According to the City of Spokane’s draft agenda, the City Council is considering an ordinance that would establish...
From headset to high ground: How drones are transforming 911 dispatch – Police1
In emergency response, the heroes are often pictured on the front lines: the police officer arriving at a chaotic scene or the firefighter rushing into a burning building. Yet, historically, the very first “first responder” has been the calm voice on the other end of...
‘The man should be fired:’ 911 dispatchers’ complaints prompt calls for director’s firing or resignation (TN)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — They are the people who take your calls in some of your worst moments. 911 operators have an extremely stressful job. But some who answer emergency calls in Nashville say their boss makes the job even more stressful and they describe the...
What If the Lights Go Out?
By Roxy VanGundy Kansas Unveils a Game-Changer for 911 Centers Across the State If you’ve ever worked in 911, especially as an administrator, you know one of the most persistent thoughts lurking in the back of your mind is: What if? What if the phones crash?What if a...
Marion Co. first responders gain communication network boosting emergency response (SC)
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Bernalillo County Leads New Mexico Next-Gen 911 Upgrade (NM)
The new system will add GIS mapping, text and video capability, and faster routing to help call centers respond more quickly and precisely. The county is the first in the state to begin the migration. READ FULL ARTICLE
Man accused of attacking emergency dispatchers inside New England sheriff’s office
Police say Cory Nickerson also led them on a chase after the attack in Goffstown, New Hampshire Goffstown police say Cory Nickerson, 50, followed an employee through a secured door at the sheriff's building on Saturday afternoon before physically assaulting the...
Dispatch centers overwhelmed with calls during fire season – (UT)
BRIGHAM CITY — With more wildfires flaring up Friday, dispatch centers have been inundated with calls. Early Friday morning, a new fire sparked in Box Elder County, the Perry Fire. The next three hours, dispatchers received a 400% to 500% increase in calls, according...
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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.
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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.
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