Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi still considering restoring access to first responder radio (HI)

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi still considering restoring access to first responder radio (HI)

by | May 2, 2022 | Comm Center News

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More than two months after the city removed first responder radio traffic from public radio waves, the city administration is still deciding whether to restore access to communications that Honolulu police officials argue must be concealed to help preserve public security and safety.

The public and news media’s longstanding ability to listen to the dispatch radio communications of publicly funded fire, police and emergency medical services ended Feb. 15 when the last phase of a $15 million conversion from the city’s analog system to a P25 Motor­­ola digital system was completed…

Mon Valley 911 dispatchers fear chaos as Allegheny County combines radio channels (PA)

by | May 2, 2022 | Comm Center News

In a move that the union representing 911 dispatchers called “disastrous” for public safety, Allegheny County is set to consolidate emergency communications for nearly a dozen Mon Valley police departments onto one radio channel. 

“The safety of all first responders is going to be erased,” said Michele Panella, a representative for the Service Employees International Union, which represents the dispatchers. “It’s not just going to impact police. It’s going to impact response times for the other agencies as well, as far as fire and EMS go…

Former Sheriff Larry Gilbert honored for innovations in public safety with dedication of EOC (FL)

Former Sheriff Larry Gilbert honored for innovations in public safety with dedication of EOC (FL)

by | May 2, 2022 | Comm Center News

NICEVILLE — The Okaloosa County Emergency Operations Center has taken on a new name in honor of the former sheriff who’s tenure contributed to the advancement of public safety in the county and throughout the state.

Larry Gilbert was elected sheriff of Okaloosa County in 1980 and served for 16 years, bringing a number of innovations and new technologies to the agency. Now his contributions will be recognized for generations to come at the Sheriff Larry Gilbert Emergency Operations Center in Niceville…

INVESTIGATES: Dispatch delayed in answering 911 call (FL)

INVESTIGATES: Dispatch delayed in answering 911 call (FL)

by | Apr 30, 2022 | Comm Center News

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Imagine an emergency call to help, but no one picks up on the other end. That was one family’s reality Thursday morning after a medical concern turned into a struggle to get through to dispatch.

Brittany Franswick said her brother’s pregnant girlfriend felt chest pains, had a headache and was dizzy.

Franswick said those were all signs that she needed help. The pregnant woman is due any day with a baby boy…

Santa Clarita’s 911 Dispatchers’ Unseen Acts Of Daily Heroism (CA)

by | Apr 30, 2022 | Comm Center News

Whether it’s an accident, a crime, or some other emergency, Santa Clarita Valley residents can always count on there being a voice on the other end of the phone when they call 911. KHTS went behind the scenes with the 911 SCV Sheriff’s Station Dispatch Center to meet the unsung men and women who help keep our community safe.

The deputies and law enforcement technicians manning the 911 dispatch center carry with them a sense of responsibility for their community, thinly veiled by a jovial sense of dark humour used by so many others in high-stress jobs. When the phone lines are free, jokes and friendly chit-chat fill the air, but the moment the special ringtone for an emergency  911 call comes in, the dispatchers immediately switch to placing all their focus on the caller with professional aplomb…