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A new 911 center in Illinois leans in on sustainability | Building Design+Construction (IL)
For more than a decade, Lake County, Ill., has been planning and coordinating its new Regional Operations and Communications (ROC) facility. When the 37,000-sf building, designed by Wold Architects and Engineers, was finally completed last June, it laid claim to being the nation’s first net-zero regional 9-1-1 center.
Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office launches ASAP Service – Security Systems News (MN)
HENNEPIN COUNTY, Minn.—The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) has announced that it has launched ASAP (Automated Secure Alarm Protocol) Service, a digital alarm service that automates the exchange of alarm information between alarm monitoring companies and emergency communications centers (ECCs).
The service marks a significant milestone in HCSO’s ongoing efforts to enhance public safety operations and support its emergency communications staff.
Richland County’s 911 call center coming soon (SC)
COLUMBIA — A seven-year process to open a new emergency communications center in Richland County is almost done.Richland County Council discussed the 911 call center in executive session during an Oct. 7 meeting. After the session, the council members directed the county administrator to look into staffing options for the center.The call center is currently located in the basement of the Columbia Fire Department headquarters on Laurel Street. Though it’s funded by and serves both Richland County and Columbia, the center is currently run by the city.“It’s cramped, and it’s been there for a long time. This gives them the space to modernize,” Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann said.
Saugus advances 911 communications project (MA)
SAUGUS — The Board of Selectmen and Town Manager Scott Crabtree sat down together to discuss the priorities the Board has set and the current status of them.One of these priorities is the public safety communications improvements which Crabtree spoke about.
“We’ve gone through revamped plans over the last year or two and trying to get the right amount of money to do the things that are needed within this communication system,” he said.
How a Pennsylvania Police Department Is Embracing Tech – GovTech (PA)
How a Pennsylvania Police Department Is Embracing Tech
As Philbin maneuvered through traffic, he was aware of other departments on their way to the scene. The vehicle was equipped with technology that would beep if another patrol vehicle was about 30 seconds away.
Philbin’s body and vehicle cameras were active throughout the incident, which ended with the woman being taken to a hospital for mental health treatment.
After incidents, officers can write reports and complete other documentation from their vehicle laptop.
Philbin said technology keeps officers on patrol and helps them spend less time in the office writing reports. The vehicle was also equipped with a printer for citations, which were previously handwritten.
Answering more than phones: Recognizing the true work of 911 professionals
I want to focus on where we’re headed: the technology shaping the future of 911, the challenges that come with it, and how our community can help keep the system strong. Because while 911 has come a long way since its beginnings in 1968, its future depends not only on...
Maine investigating how 911 calls were misrouted for nearly 2 years
Maine utility regulators are weighing whether to penalize a telephone carrier that routed 911 calls to an administrative line for nearly two years, potentially limiting callers’ ability to reach dispatchers during an emergency. The Public Utilities Commission opened...
911 center adds behavioral health specialist for another layer of support (VA)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - Inside the Charlottesville-UVA-Albemarle Emergency Communications Center, every call tells a story — but now, one new team member is helping make sure those stories do not end in crisis. .
APCO and iCERT Come Together to Promote AI in Emergency Response
Today at the APCO AI Summit, APCO International announced a new partnership with the Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies (iCERT) to launch a new program to promote the responsible implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in emergency...
DHS Launches Lab to Test Next-Gen 911 System Compatibility
The Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate has established a new laboratory to ensure Next Generation 911 systems work seamlessly across jurisdictions and technology providers, Federal News Network reported. The initiative aims to prevent...
Berkeley’s 911 call center struggles to hire enough dispatchers (CA)
The dispatch center that handles 911 and other emergency calls in Berkeley hit a low point of staffing this year, at one point running on just a third of the dispatchers it is supposed to have, according to a city report.
Fire departments across Winnebago County leave Mercyhealth’s 911 system (IL)
Chief Joel Hallstrom braced for a leap of faith. Since 2019, North Park Fire Protection District depended on Mercyhealth’s Rockcom: the nonprofit’s system dispatched first responders after receiving calls from 911 centers around Winnebago County. “There’s a bit...
New 911 center launched | (VA)
Published 4:30 pm Wednesday, October 8, 2025 Effective Oct. 1, the new Farmville-Prince Edward Emergency Communication Center began dispatching all 911 calls for fire, EMS and law enforcement for the town of Farmville, Prince Edward County, Longwood University and...
Alabama police chief resigns after video allegedly shows him sexually harass teen dispatcher
A small-town Alabama police chief has stepped down amid an investigation into the alleged sexual harassment of a young female employee. Cordova Police Chief Jason Hare, a husband and father, resigned Monday, Mayor Jeremy Pate confirmed. The resignation came...
Brown County dispatch center supervisor pushes back on concerns raised by staff (WI)
Brown County Public Safety Communications Director Chancy Huntzinger has pushed back on statements made by dispatch center staff and a former county supervisor about pay and staffing. Hutzinger's comments came during the Brown County Public Safety Committee meeting on...
Calling 911? Soon AI May Answer (MD)
The county’s 911 call center is considering using artificial intelligence to help handle non-emergency calls. “We’re in the process of determining which service would best serve Montgomery County,” Emergency Communications Center Director Jennifer Reidy-Hall said...
Stratford 911 Dispatchers Honored with Unit Citation at Statewide EMS Awards Ceremony (CT)
Stratford, CT – The Town of Stratford is proud to announce that three of its 911 Dispatchers — Estefani Escalante, Suzanne (Suzi) Smolinsky, and Paul Tighe — were recognized with a Unit Citation during the State of Connecticut EMS Advisory Board Awards Ceremony, held...
News 8 Exclusive: 911 dispatcher saved by coworkers tells her story (NY)
LYONS, N.Y. (WROC ) — As a 911 dispatcher, Todd Speers knows how to stay calm in a crisis. “Put yourself in the caller’s shoes,” Todd said. “Try to envision yourself there.” On May 26 of this year, Todd didn’t have to. During a late-night shift change, the crisis came...
State rolls out $85 million to upgrade 911 services, Erie County to receive $1.9 million (NY)
Erie County will receive $1.9 million to upgrade their emergency call centers in preparation for Next Generation 911, a statewide Internet Protocol (IP)-based system designed to improve the way incidents are received and processed. New York Governor Kathy Hochul...
Lincoln Emergency Communications graduates largest ever class (NE)
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - Just over a year ago, Lincoln opened an $8 million emergency communication center to give 911 dispatchers the tools they need to save lives. On Tuesday, Lincoln welcomed 11 new despatchers, the largest graduating class in the center’s...
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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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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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