Upshur County Emergency Communications welcomes ‘K9s For Warriors’ station dog (WV)

by | Jan 27, 2026 | Comm Center News

he Upshur County Emergency Communications Center worked with ‘K9s For Warriors’ to recruit a station dog.

Chelsea, a two-year-old German Shepard Mix, will be a therapy dog for Telecommunicators and First Responders, said officials.

K9s For Warriors is the nation’s leading provider of trained service dogs for veterans with PTSD and partners with law enforcement and first responder agencies to provide therapy dogs at no cost.

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Keeping 9-1-1 Connected as Networks Evolve: How T9-1-1 Bridges the Gap for PSAPs

by | Jan 21, 2026 | Comm Center News

If you dial 9-1-1, you expect someone to answer—no matter what. That’s a promise public safety teams make to every community, and it’s a promise that technology must keep too. But as we upgrade our nation’s communication networks from legacy infrastructure to modern fiber and wireless, there’s a challenge many people don’t see: some Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs)  – the official name of 9-1-1 call centers – still rely on older systems that weren’t built for this new world.

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FirstNet is important to Communications Centers: Sign the Petition to Support FirstNet Reauthorization

by | Jan 15, 2026 | Articles

Using the FirstNet network offers specific and substantial value for Emergency Communications Centers (ECCs) and broader emergency communications operations. The FirstNet network is designed for public safety rather than general consumer use, and that creates several operational advantages to ECCs when compared to relying solely on commercial cellular networks. FirstNet provides ECCs with a dedicated broadband connection that is more reliable during major events or network congestion. FirstNet’s priority access and redundancy for public safety communications help ensure ECCs stay connected when it matters most, using strong encryption to protect sensitive data. FirstNet also offers built-in back-up options like assets that are deployable and can restore connectivity if the primary infrastructure fails. Further, FirstNet supports high speed data between ECCs and field units, which can enhance operations. FirstNet can be utilized for CAD systems and GIS mapping to enable faster and more accurate decision-making. FirstNet also enables seamless communications across jurisdictions and platforms which is critical for complex multiagency responses and situational awareness. 

FirstNet was built for public safety with public safety priorities in mind, which is why every ECC support FirstNet reauthorization by signing the petition.