by AllThingsECC.com | Mar 23, 2025 | Comm Center News
Each dispatcher undergoes extensive training to prepare for working under pressure. Not everybody makes it.
In 2022, Durango Emergency Communications reported that 99% of candidates weren’t able to complete the training program.
“My crew is incredibly well-trained and skilled,” said Kati Fox, director of the Durango Emergency Communications Center.
“But in that moment, when you only have your voice to impact a situation where someone’s life is at risk, that’s the very definition of helplessness. And one of the key factors in whether someone develops PTSD from a traumatic incident is whether they felt helpless at that moment.”
Even the best-trained dispatchers feel the weight of the job, especially when taking high-stakes calls for 12 hours a day.
“Dispatch stress is cumulative,” Fox continued. “It’s like ‘you’re okay, you’re okay, you’re okay.’ And then it rises, rises, rises, and you crash. It can be one call that tips you over, or something in your personal life.”
To help with dispatcher mental health, the center offers free therapy sessions, mental health days, incident reviews for high-stakes calls and — most importantly, according to the dispatchers — a supportive work environment.
“I would say the culture here is absolutely amazing. Everybody cares about everybody,” said Hahn, who is in her second year of dispatching.
by AllThingsECC.com | Mar 23, 2025 | Comm Center News
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A new report looks at Vermont’s dispatch centers and emergency response.
Now, the state wants to hear from you. On Thursday, the Vermont Public Safety Communications task force will host a meeting to discuss the future of emergency communication in the state.
According to the report, Vermont has 37 independently operated dispatch centers and answering points.
That’s significantly more than some larger states.
With technology evolving faster than smaller dispatch centers, some are at risk of being left behind, including the people they are in place to help.
Thursday night at 6, Vermonters can respond to the report’s suggestions for how emergency calls are handled. You can register for that meeting here.
Copyright 2025 WCAX. All rights reserved.
by AllThingsECC.com | Mar 22, 2025 | Comm Center News
CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) – The Charleston County Consolidated Emergency Communications Center has adopted a new and more advanced call-handling software that improves emergency responses from the public and first responders.
The dispatch software, the Carbyne Apex Call Handling Solution, will introduce six features that increase situational awareness:
- Images and Video: Callers will be able to share live images and videos with the ECC.
- Location Services: Dispatchers will be able to send a link to obtain the exact coordinates of the caller’s location if their location is not automatically transmitted. Dispatchers will have temporary access to their exact location once the caller accepts the link.
- Responder Link: Dispatchers can transmit both received images and videos to first responders on the field.
- Translation: Allows seamless communication with non-English speaking callers by transmitting conversations in real time.
- Triage: Focuses on emergency calls and ensures that simultaneous incidents do not get delayed by other emergency calls.
- Voice to Text: Dispatchers will receive real-time text transcription of what the caller says over the phone.
Charleston County spokesperson Chloe Field said the Charleston County ECC has teamed up with Carbyne to integrate the new system alongside RapidDeploy Radius Mapping, which is a platform that provides several key benefits that include:
- Access to caller-provided emergency data.
- Crash data from Bosch, OnStar and other vehicle safety services
- Enhanced alarm data from security companies
- Instant messaging between 911 centers for information sharing
- Outbound text message capabilities for two-way communication with 911 callers
ECC Director Jim Lake said the new system will improve effective communication to ensure callers will get the necessary help as quickly as possible.
“By improving accuracy, communication, and situational awareness, it helps ensure that people in crisis get the help they need as quickly as possible. Our telecommunicators and first responders rely on clear and timely information, and these tools will make a real difference in their ability to respond effectively,” he said.
Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.
by AllThingsECC.com | Mar 22, 2025 | Comm Center News
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Gwinnett County leaders gathered together on Thursday to recognize police officers, firefighters and other public safety professionals for going above and beyond the call of duty.
Channel 2′s Steve Gehlbach was at the Gwinnett County Valor Awards ceremony, where first responders were honored for their heroic, lifesaving actions.
Those honored included a communications officer who took a 911 call from a domestic violence victim and helped save her life after she was shot and officers who helped respond to an active shooter outside the county jail.
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It’s the 20th year that the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce presented the honors, recognizing not only those who protect and serve but those went above and beyond in life-threatening situations.
“With no tourniquet available, Officer Etienne resourcefully used a belt as a makeshift solution,” Sgt. Gregory Ross said, presenting a life-saving award to Officer Feniel Etienne, a senior officer with the Lilburn Police Department.
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Etienne was off-duty when a gunman shot someone at a Suwanee automotive shop. He immediately jumped into action.
“Happy to be there and able to serve somebody,” he said.
The top award, the gold medal for valor, went to five sheriff’s deputies for dealing with an active shooter at the jail in October.
A man in body armor showed up at the jail’s entrance with his two-year-old daughter, acting erratically. Deputies identified the potential threat as he returned the child to his car and got a shotgun out.
Eventually, the man opened fire at officers with a handgun and they fired back, hitting him.
“Their courage under fire and commitment to protecting lives prevented what could have easily been a mass tragedy,” Ross said at the ceremony.
The deputies said that “we just came together that day,” calling it a true team effort as other deputies and jail staff locked down inside and got visitors and others out of harm’s way.
The gunman from the shooting recovered and is in custody at the jail, facing multiple charges including aggravated assault against law enforcement officers.
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by AllThingsECC.com | Mar 22, 2025 | Comm Center News
Whether responding to a medical emergency, coordinating disaster relief, or ensuring officer safety in high-risk situations, public safety radio systems provide mission-critical communications that enable first responders to fulfill their missions.
What does it take to ensure these systems remain functional, interoperable and adequately funded?
This special episode of the Better Every Shift podcast, sponsored by Kenwood, features a panel discussion on public safety radio systems. Guest host FireRescue1 Editorial Director Greg Friese speaks with three emergency management and communications experts about the vital role of radio communications in emergency response, the obstacles agencies face in maintaining and upgrading these systems, and best practices for building a reliable network that meets the demands of modern public safety.
Chris Tucker is the Emergency Services Director/CEM for Warren County Emergency Services in North Carolina. Warren County Emergency Services operates radio systems for four EMS stations, 15 fire stations and the Sheriff’s Department. He is also a volunteer fire chief. Tom Murray is radio manager for Will County Emergency Management Agency in Will County, Illinois. The radio system he manages has over 5,000 subscribers across approximately 80 public safety agencies. Chris Shaneyfelt, a retired law enforcement officer, is director of Randolph County Homeland Security Emergency Management and Randolph County E911 Emergency Communications Center in Indiana. His agencies dispatch for 11 police departments, 10 fire departments and one standalone EMS agency.
Tune in to discover:
- The importance of reliable radio communication systems for emergency response.
- Challenges in funding and maintaining radio systems, especially in rural areas.
- The pros and cons of state-managed versus county-managed radio systems.
- Key considerations when evaluating and selecting a public safety radio system.
- Advice for securing funding and engaging stakeholders in the decision-making process.
This episode is sponsored by KENWOOD, a trusted leader in public safety communications. KENWOOD ATLAS P25 Systems provide reliable, secure, and flexible solutions for mission-critical operations, ensuring seamless interoperability across agencies. Combined with KENWOOD Viking P25 radios, first responders get the clarity, durability and advanced features they need to stay connected and operational in any situation.
Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, Chief Josh Waldo and Chief Marc Bashoor offer potential solutions that would accommodate both training and program reviews
February 27, 2025 09:46 AM
February 13, 2025 10:45 AM
February 06, 2025 09:01 AM
