by AllThingsECC.com | Mar 19, 2024 | Comm Center News
San Bernardino County law enforcement, fire and government officials hailed the dawn of what they described as a new era in emergency response and disaster preparedness in the region as they broke ground on a new communications center to serve the county.
by AllThingsECC.com | Mar 19, 2024 | Comm Center News
CINCINNATI (WXIX) – Nearly six years after Kyle Plush died after repeatedly calling 911 for help, his family is getting an update on improvements the city of Cincinnati promised to make.
by AllThingsECC.com | Mar 19, 2024 | Comm Center News
CHICOPEE — Elected officials, first responders and more gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony of a new regional emergency communications center to be built at the old Salter College site at 645 Shawninigan Dr.
The new center is set to enhance and revolutionize the emergency response capabilities for the towns and cities it currently serves and allow more room for other communities to join.
by AllThingsECC.com | Mar 16, 2024 | Comm Center News
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) — A tech nonprofit is trying to set roots in Virginia to make emergency help accessible to everyone.
“Lack of access to emergency services because you’re not able to hear or speak out loud for help could really mean a death sentence for somebody,” said Gabriella Wong, founder of AccessSOS.
She had the idea to launch AccessSOS after her father, who is deaf, had an emergency.
“His gallbladder was making him feel very, very sick. He was not able to call 911 for help and his first instinct was to text me to call 911 for him,” she explains.
Unfortunately, Wong wasn’t near her phone.
“Realizing there was no one there to help on the other line he drove himself to the ER, and almost got into a car crash. He recounts to me as his head being hunched over, driving to the ER,” she says.
Wong says after that, she knew something needed to be done to give equal access to everyone in need of emergency help.
AccessSOS bridges the gap for anyone who isn’t able to verbally communicate their emergency or those who don’t even know it’s an option.
“Even if text 911 works in someone’s area, there’s still that lack of educational awareness of how to even send a text message to 911,” said Wong.
Fortunately, texting 911 is already an option in Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
“You just use 911 as the phone number you’re texting and it’s nice if you can give us the address and the nature of your emergency in that initial text. That way we can just text back with some additional background or additional questions for you,” said Celeste Baldino with the Emergency Communications Center.
“Our goal is to launch in Virginia and nationwide so that you don’t have to be like ‘I am in New Mexico, can I use AccessSOS?’ We want to be as ubiquitous as 911,” said Wong.
In order to bring AccessSOS to Virginia they need a local foundation to sponsor their work and advocacy.
by AllThingsECC.com | Mar 15, 2024 | Comm Center News
Funding will support the Fresh Water Institute, upgrades to 911 system
CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH – Cuyahoga County is set to receive Congressional funding to strengthen our environmental sustainability and enhance our public safety infrastructure. Congresswoman Shontel M. Brown and Congressman Max Miller recently announced monies specifically for the Cuyahoga Fresh Water Institute and upgrades to the Cuyahoga Emergency Communications 911 System (CECOMS).
Congresswoman Shontel M. Brown has allocated over $13 million in federal funding for Northeast Ohio, including $500,000 to implement the Cuyahoga Fresh Water Institute. The Fresh Water Institute will advance freshwater initiaves in the areas of economic development, education, research and advocacy.
“Congresswoman Brown is committed to the health and well-being of Cuyahoga County residents,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne. “Her investment in the Fresh Water Institute will bolster our efforts to connect our residents to the region’s vast freshwater resources.”
Congressman Max Miller announced his support of a package containing resources for 15 projects important to Ohio communities, including technological enhancements to the Cuyahoga Emergency Communications 911 System. CECOMS, a 24/7 public safety call answering system, is vitally important to the safety and well-being of all County residents.
“Congressman Miller has improved the safety of all Cuyahoga County residents with his support of the Cuyahoga County 911 System upgrade project,” said County Executive Chris Ronayne. “The new technology will advance our emergency dispatch systems for more seamless coordination across communities. We will be better able to pinpoint where help is needed and send it immediately.”
Cuyahoga County is the geographic and economic core of the Greater Cleveland Metropolitan Area. With over 1.2 million residents, it is the second-most-populous county in the State of Ohio. The County promotes sustainability, regional growth, public safety, economic opportunity, individual well-being, regional collaboration, and superior services. To learn more about Cuyahoga County services, visit cuyahogacounty.gov.