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Lyon County Emergency Communications pushes on after fielding stretch of abusive calls Thursday (KS)

Staffers at Lyon County Emergency Communications have been dealing with some untoward callers recently.The department says it has been getting calls from people who are launching offensive or abusive statements to emergency dispatchers because they don’t like unspecified matters unrelated to the department. Emergency Communications Director Roxanne Van Gundy, a guest on KVOE’s Morning Show on Friday, says calls started coming into the non-emergency phone number Thursday morning.

Flagler County Sheriff’s Office awarded nearly $5.8 million for public safety technology upgrades (FL)

BUNNELL, Fla. — The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has received nearly $5.8 million in state grant funding to upgrade emergency communications, law enforcement technology and other public safety equipment, the agency announced Wednesday.

The funding, awarded through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, will cover the cost of the upgrades without requiring funding from Flagler County property taxpayers, according to the sheriff’s office.

County to use virtual phone assistant for non-emergency calls – Oregon Observer (WI)

A change is coming to Dane County’s non-emergency operations. Dane County Public Safety Communications (PSC), will soon be deploying AVA, Aurelian’s virtual assistant for non emergency calls.According to a county news release, the deployment ensures telecommunicators can prioritize active incidents, medical emergencies and other lifesaving work that only trained telecommunicators can do. Residents seeking non-emergency services should call 608-255-2345.

‘We have to hear the screams’: Calif. dispatchers address the mental toll of the job – Police1 (CA)

FRESNO, Calif. — It’s the calls for help when a child is drowning that stay with Matt Mendes, a Fresno County Sheriff’s Office 911 dispatcher who has worked his way up to supervisor.Dispatchers rarely get closure after sending an officer to a scene, he said.| REGISTER: Building public confidence in an era of public safety innovation“We have to hear the screams and the cries for help. We have to make up the scenarios in our heads,” Mendes said. “I do think that we have it tough. We may not see the bodies, but we still have to hear it.

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.

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...

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

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