Top Comm Center Headlines
News & Articles
Fairview more than doubles public safety fee | The Outlook (OR)
Fairview more than doubles public safety fee
Published 6:00 am Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Beaumont PD turns to AI to help manage 911 calls | News | recordgazette.net (CA)
The Beaumont City Council has approved a three-year service agreement with Axon Enterprise for artificial intelligence-assisted dispatch software designed to help the Police Department manage increasing calls for service while improving emergency communications. The council voted June 16 to authorize the city manager to execute the agreement for Axon’s Prepared AI dispatching software.
Local dispatcher caught calling concerned citizen “moron” while on emergency call (KS)
“After she said they would dispatch, you know, the fire department, then, that’s what I guess she thought I hung up,” Wilson said. READ FULL ARTICLE
The Next Evolution of Interoperability for Firefighters & Other First Responders | Firehouse
Major events are stress-testing systemsSome of the clearest examples of this challenge can be found in the major events that increasingly define modern public safety operations: the Super Bowl, political conventions, large-scale concerts, major marathons and international sporting events.
2026 Vision FirstNet Users Summit to Explore How FirstNet Fusion and LMR Are Redefining …
An upcoming session at the 2026 Vision FirstNet Users Summit titled “Bridging Broadband and LMR: FirstNet Fusion and the Rise of Hybrid Devices” will explore how public safety agencies can modernize their communications environments while maintaining the reliability of land mobile radio.Centered on FirstNet Fusion and hybrid devices, the session will outline how integrating broadband with existing LMR systems can deliver real-time interoperability across 5G/LTE and radio networks.
Waukegan emergency communications center opens (IL)
If someone experiences chest pains in Waukegan and calls 911 on their cellphone, the dispatcher on the other end will know precisely where they are and the right questions to ask so the ambulance crew knows exactly what to do when it arrives on the scene.
FCC approves rules to improve NG911 reliability
Rules expected to enhance reliability of networks supporting NG911, as well as seeking comments on proposed testing of interstate interoperability. In the wake of multi-state 911 service outages, FCC commissioners recently voted unanimously to approve rules that are...
Public safety update after storms sweep through area (NJU)
“For several hours during the height of the storm, the Monmouth County Communication Center was unable to answer incoming 911 calls as quickly as they were being received,” O’Halloran said. “Wall Township Police Communications assumed overflow call taker...
911 and Behavioral Health: Building Coordinated Call Handling Systems
Local government sits at the operational center of emergency and crisis response systems. Counties in 48 states and the District of Columbia operate, fund and manage thousands of the nation's public safety answering points (PSAPs), or 911 call centers. PSAPs handle...
San Diego County Sheriff not answering 911 calls fast enough (CA)
People calling 911 during an emergency in parts of San Diego County can expect to wait.
Governor Hochul Announces $110 Million in State Funding to Strengthen Emergency Communications for First Responders (NY)
State-Funded Programs Support Emergency Communication Systems Across the State by Strengthening Emergency Response Capabilities Funding to Support New Projects, Equipment Installation and Enhanced Communications Channels at Local Levels READ FULL ARTICLE
Cumberland County and Fayetteville Approve Resolution for Consolidated 911 Center (AR)
Cumberland County and the City of Fayetteville approved a joint resolution on Wednesday, July 8. This decision establishes a framework for a unified Public Safety Answering Point, combining emergency communications into one center through a Joint Governance Board with...
California 911 network contractors break silence after state scraps nearly $500M project
The companies hired to replace California’s “vulnerable” 911 network with a new cutting-edge system claim the state abruptly abandoned a fully built, deployment-ready system and replaced it with a new plan they say could cost taxpayers hundreds of millions more. The...
Before you hang up the headset: A letter to my younger self
Eleven years in 911 communications taught one dispatcher that purpose isn’t defined by a headset. In a heartfelt letter, Samantha Hawkins reflects on fear, resilience and finding a new way to serve public safety. READ FULL ARTICLE
Abilene dispatchers answer 2,500+ calls during Sunday night’s severe storms (TX)
As severe storms swept through Abilene Sunday evening, bringing damaging winds and heavy rain, dispatchers were working behind the scenes to answer an unprecedented number of emergency calls. READ FULL ARTICLE
Nashville 911 Exceeds National Call-Answering Standard During Historic Fourth of July Weekend (TN)
As Nashville hosted a historic two-day celebration marking America’s 250th anniversary of independence, Nashville 911 personnel handled 7,438 calls across emergency and non-emergency lines while exceeding the national standard for answering 911 calls.
More 911 expertise added to FirstNet Authority board
Three of four new members to the FirstNet Authority board have backgrounds featuring significant experience in 911. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has appointed four new members to the FirstNet Authority board—three of whom have resumes featuring significant...
City of Jonesboro Breaks Ground on New E-911/Real Time Intelligence Center (AR)
Revenue bond-funded project marks a transformational investment in public safety infrastructure JONESBORO, AR – The City of Jonesboro celebrated the groundbreaking of its new E-911/Real Time Intelligence Center (RTIC) on Thursday, July 2, at 9:11 a.m. The...
FirstNet Strengthens Public Safety Connectivity Across America’s 250th Anniversary Celebrations
Broadband | 2026-07-02 FirstNet, Built with AT&T, is providing enhanced connectivity support to more than 75 public safety agencies across the United States as the country marks the 250th anniversary of its founding this week. The network...
Boone County reorganizes IT department ahead of move to new emergency management HQ (KY)
As Boone County prepares to relocate its emergency management operations to its brand-new facility, the fiscal court is reorganizing its Information Systems Department. During last week’s Boone County Fiscal Court meeting, the legislative body approved a resolution to...
UPCOMING EVENTREGISTER>
The Inaugural Howard C. Liebengood Foundation Symposium: The Evolving Law Enforcement Landscape & the First Responder Mental Health Crisis
Wednesday, September 30 to Thursday, October 1, 2026
Law enforcement is operating in one of the most demanding environments in modern history. Shifting public expectations, critical incidents, and ongoing organizational pressures have reshaped the profession, and the impact on officer health and agency stability has never been greater. This inaugural symposium convenes law enforcement leaders, mental health and health care experts, researchers, and bipartisan policymakers to explore practical, evidence-informed solutions. Grounded in research and lived experience, this symposium focuses on translating knowledge into action.
Over two days, participants will examine the evolving policing landscape, confront the profession’s mental health crisis—including elevated rates of suicide, PTSD, depression, and anxiety—and identify strategies to strengthen resilience, crisis response, and organizational leadership.
SURVEY
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.
PETITIONS
Congress should reauthorize the FirstNet Authority now.
Support the reauthorization of the FirstNet Authority to preserve public safety’s network
PSBTA UPDATES
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
GRANTS
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
Subscribe to Comm Center News
Get the latest News, Articles, and Insights from AllThingsECC.com weekly in our newsletter.
PARTNERS
Stay Up to Date With The Latest News & Updates
Share Your Story
Join our community to share your experience and connect and collaborate with colleagues.
Join Our Newsletter
Get the latest News, Articles, and Insights from AllThingsECC.com weekly in our newsletter.
Follow Us
Stay connected with the latestEmergency Communications News, Articles & Information.



