Legislation to expand and modernize emergency alert access during natural disasters is headed to President Donald Trump’s desk after the U.S. Senate unanimously passed it on Thursday.
The Mystic Alerts Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. August Pfluger (R–Midland), would allow wireless carriers to partner with satellite communications providers to deliver Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) when traditional cellular networks are damaged or unavailable.
A Dallas native and proud Texan, Riley is a writing fellow for Texas Scorecard and a junior at the University of Texas at Austin. She combines her passion for writing with a commitment to covering the people, policies, and ideas shaping the Lone Star State.
Anoka County will spend up to $1.1 million in leftover bond proceeds on security fencing, workspace changes and a replacement for a problematic 911 phone system at its new Emergency Communications Center.
The Anoka County Board voted 6-0 on Sept. 22 to authorize the three projects, which were not included in the building’s original plans but are now considered necessary for safety and operational reasons.
The grant was announced during the North Carolina 911 Board meeting on August 28 in Raleigh after being recommended for approval by the board’s Grant Committee.
According to Alexander County E-911 Communications Director Greg Foster, the funding will allow the county to replace four outdated radio consoles at its primary communications center and establish radio console connectivity at its required backup center, located within the Iredell County Emergency Communications Center.
The vote came after nearly two and half hours of public comment that saw residents and city dispatchers raise vocal opposition to the plan.
“I think we’re rushing this … I’m still uneasy, gentlemen; I’m still not there,” said Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina, moments before casting a no vote on the motion.
The Moody County Commission will have a significant decision on its hands when it meets this week: Accept a sharply reduced offer from the city of Flandreau for 911 dispatch services or risk losing the city to another dispatch center altogether. The situation has been brewing for months, with much of the back-and-forth between the two entities playing out during public meetings every other week. City, county, tribal and emergency service representatives also gathered for a larger public discussion in August.
Learn about current efforts to continue to protect the 4.9 GHz Band for public safety as well as recent filings, key decisions impacting these efforts, and how you can support PSSA’s initiative to protect the 4.9 GHz band for public safety.
