by AllThingsECC.com | Sep 29, 2021 | Comm Center News
The Boise Fire Department is taking steps to help ensure we have effective communication tools for everyday situations, big events or emergencies. Our department recently obtained equipment connecting us to FirstNet, a nationwide, high-speed broadband communication platform purpose-built specifically for first responders and the extended public safety community.
“As a regional response agency and knowing that we are the most remote city of our size, it’s important for our department to have reliable and modern communication tools,” said Special Operations, Division Chief Paul Roberts. “The rural landscape around Boise oftentimes does not have the most reliable cell phone or radio coverage. From wildfires to isolated accidents, this technology offers another form of connectivity to our first responders on a scene.”
We recently acquired a Compact Rapid Deployable (CRD) from FirstNet to act as a deployable network asset that will provide coverage for first responders anywhere at any time. CRDs link to FirstNet via satellite and do not rely on commercial power availability, making them ideal for use during emergencies in rural and remote areas, as well as areas where communications may be temporarily unavailable…
by AllThingsECC.com | Sep 29, 2021 | Comm Center News
Durham, N.C. — As Durham continues struggling to handle 911 calls, some officials are calling for the city to adopt a mutual aid agreement with another emergency communications center.
WRAL has reported for months about how staffing issues at the 911 center have caused problems for Durham residents needing help. For a time, some 911 calls had to be routed to the Raleigh-Wake 911 Center because Durham didn’t have enough people to handle them.
But city records obtained by WRAL News show routing 911 calls through an outside agency has led to confusion and delayed responses in the past.
First responders were delayed in getting to a person threatening suicide, for example, and an incorrect address sent them to the wrong side of the city for an emergency call…
by AllThingsECC.com | Sep 28, 2021 | Comm Center News
Habersham County’s E-911 dispatchers and first responders can look forward to receiving adequate radio technology in the near future as the county moves forward with the installation of a new radio system.
The Habersham County Commission voted 4-0 at their Monday night commission meeting to purchase and take the next steps in bringing a new E-911 radio system from Communications International, Inc. to the county.
Habersham’s dispatch crews and public safety have been working with an outdated radio system for some time now, with technology issues and equipment that cannot be replaced due to its age. The current radio system also does not cover the entire county– the industry standard is 95 percent coverage or more, and the county’s current system has coverage in the “upper 70’s, lower 80’s” percentage of the county, according to TUSA Consultant Alan Talkington, who has worked with the county through the process of finding the best radio system for the county’s needs and budget…
by AllThingsECC.com | Sep 28, 2021 | Comm Center News
The City of New Haven, Connecticut, is considering spending more than $800,000 of Federal Emergency funding on data center projects for the local Police Department.
The American Rescue Plan (ARP) promises to distribute more than $360 billion in emergency funding for state, local, territorial, and tribal governments to help them recover from Covid-19.
Post-pandemic reset program
The city of New Haven received more than $90 million in ARP funds. The New Haven Independent reports the City has used ARP money to fuel a $6 million summer reset program and is reserving $8 million for a new Department of Community Resilience which will look to tackle issues such as homelessness, mental health disorders, drug addiction, and prison reentry…
by AllThingsECC.com | Sep 28, 2021 | Comm Center News
Friday, Sept. 24, was the last day on shift for Barrow County E-911 communications officer Johnny Savage. After more than 27 years of service in the public safety field, he has decided it is time to retire.
Savage began his public safety career in 1994, when he started volunteering with Oconee County Fire Rescue. In his 23 years with them, he worked his way through the ranks and was even assistant fire chief at one point in his career.
Savage came to Barrow County Emergency Services in 2002 when he joined the Barrow County E-911 Center. He started as a full-time communications officer and was promoted to supervisor later in his career. Throughout his time at BCES, he has witnessed many changes in leadership and the operations in the 911 Center; he has evolved through each change to “continue to provide the best quality of service to the citizens of Barrow County,” BCES officials said…
