by AllThingsECC.com | Sep 28, 2021 | Comm Center News
Legislation reclassifying 9-1-1 dispatchers from Office and Administrative Support to Protective Service Occupations was approved last week by the U.S. House of Representatives as an amendment in the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), according to lawmakers.
U.S. Reps. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) reintroduced the bill, the 9-1-1 SAVES Act, in April.
“As a former 9-1-1 dispatcher, I know first-hand the challenges that our public safety dispatchers are faced with and the extraordinary work that they do to help save lives,” Torres said in a Sept. 24 statement. “Dispatchers are the first line of response during an emergency, and they deserve to be classified in a way that recognizes that their work is on par with the work of other public servants classified as first responders. That is why I am so pleased to announce that the 9-1-1 SAVES Act to reclassify them as emergency personnel passed the House as part of the FY22 NDAA…
by AllThingsECC.com | Sep 27, 2021 | Comm Center News
Hardin County E-911 Director Mike Leo has been named the Kentucky 911 Director of the Year.
Leo was presented the award in Louisville during this year’s KEMA/KENA-APCO Banquet.
Leo was nominated for the award by Hardin County 911 employee Anthony Coffey. In his submission, which was reported by the Meade County Messenger, Coffey said, “As a director he (Leo) has gone above to ensure that we not only operate at the highest level, but that we, the people underneath him, are taken care of in every way possible. …”
Having worked in the public safety field for 26 years, Leo said he was honored by the award, but at the same time, he doesn’t do what he does for recognition…
by AllThingsECC.com | Sep 27, 2021 | Comm Center News
Sep. 27—Short on staff for nearly two years, Astoria’s emergency dispatch center will temporarily move operations to Seaside in October.
The dispatch center has been running with only a handful of dispatchers since early 2020, a situation that has required staff to shoulder a significant amount of overtime each month and that Astoria Police Chief Geoff Spalding said is undesirable and unsustainable. Meanwhile, the Seaside Dispatch Center has been fully staffed for a while for the first time in more than a decade.
Over the past year, Seaside dispatchers have traveled north to help out in Astoria, but the new agreement between the two cities will place Astoria’s four dispatchers in the Seaside office until four new hires can be fully trained. The arrangement could last as long as six months…
by AllThingsECC.com | Sep 27, 2021 | Comm Center News
TEXARKANA — The purchase of a new dispatch, records and jail management computer systems for the Bi-State Justice Building should streamline information for law enforcement.
Both Texarkanas and Bowie County are buying the system jointly. The goal is to integrate functions among police and the Sheriff’s Office in the Bi-state Justice Building.
The Texas-side agencies have used one system, Texarkana Arkansas Police Department uses another, and all systems in use are nearing or beyond their expected functional lifespans, said Doug Avery with the TAPD’s Central Records and Communications Department…
by AllThingsECC.com | Sep 26, 2021 | Comm Center News
Austin Police Department officials are finalizing plans to dispatch civilians instead of police officers to certain types of calls that do not involve emergencies as a way to maximize patrol staffing and respond to reformers’ demands for change.
Interim Police Chief Joe Chacon hinted at his plan Wednesday during an announcement that he would step into the job permanently, pending City Council confirmation Thursday.
On Friday, the department released more information about the plan, which is likely to be announced this week.
“The Austin Police Department regularly reviews response policies and procedures to ensure APD prioritizes calls with an immediate threat to life or property over non-emergency calls for service,” the department said in a statement. “As a result of a recent review … recent staffing challenges and aligning with the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force patrol response recommendations, APD will change call routing and response for non-emergency calls for service effective Oct. 1…
