New 911 plan saves money for Mishawaka, county and makes libraries, small towns pay a share (IN)

New 911 plan saves money for Mishawaka, county and makes libraries, small towns pay a share (IN)

The supervisor's station at St. Joseph County's 911 center in Mishawaka.

The last time St. Joseph County officials considered carving out a chunk of income tax money to pay for the 911 dispatch center, the plan stalled after backlash from libraries, townships and other public agencies that would lose money.

Now, officials are once again moving forward with the plan, which would set up a dedicated funding stream for the 911 center by diverting income tax money that goes to a wide range of public bodies.

That would mean big savings for the county and Mishawaka city governments — but would require smaller government units to share the cost of the 911 center for the first time by giving up some of their income tax money…

AT&T opens sub-6 GHz 5G access for FirstNet in 10 cities

AT&T opens sub-6 GHz 5G access for FirstNet in 10 cities

AT&T on Monday said first responders that are signed on to FirstNet now have access to its low-band flavor of 5G in 10 cities.

In the 10 locations, FirstNet users can tap the carrier’s sub-6 GHz 5G spectrum, and they include: Austin; Charlotte, North Carolina; Cleveland; Dallas; El Paso, Texas; Houston; Knoxville; Phoenix; Raleigh, North Carolina; and San Antonio.

AT&T had trialed 5G for FirstNet users in Houston back in April. And AT&T already opened 5G using millimeter wave spectrum (branded 5G+) to first responders via FirstNet earlier this year in parts of 38 cities and 20 venues. AT&T expects to add two more cities to that tally and 20 more venues (for a total of 40) by the end of 2021…

Holbrook Select Board Recognizes HRECC Director Steve Hooke on APCO International Director of the Year (MA)

Holbrook Select Board Recognizes HRECC Director Steve Hooke on APCO International Director of the Year (MA)

HOLBROOK — The Holbrook Regional Emergency Communications Center is pleased to announce that Director Stephan Hooke was honored earlier this week by several local and state representatives regarding him being named 2021 International Director of the Year by the Association of Public Safety Communications Professionals (APCO) earlier this year.

Hooke was joined by his family, friends and colleagues at the Wednesday, Aug. 11 Holbrook Select Board meeting to receive the recognition. Following an introduction of the APCO award by HRECC Deputy Director Lauren Mielke, Select Board Chair Daniel Lee spoke of the many accomplishments Hooke has earned over the years and the work he has done promoting and furthering regional emergency dispatch throughout the area…

Firefighters join Lawton dispatch due to staff shortages (OK)

Firefighters join Lawton dispatch due to staff shortages (OK)

LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) – City of Lawton officials said some firefighters and city workers will fill staff vacancies at the Emergency Communications Center.

The firefighters and other staff members who are familiar with the inner workings of the center have been answering calls since earlier this month.

But they said no fire stations or trucks have had to stand down because of this extra help…

County dispatch center back up and running after sprinkler incident (KS)

The Ellis County Dispatch Center is back up a running after flooding from a sprinkler head activation caused significant damage to equipment.

On Monday, Aug. 2 at about 5 p.m. workers soldering on the dispatch center’s HVAC accidentally set off a fire suppression system sprinkler, spraying water on dispatch equipment and flooding a portion of rooms housing equipment belonging to the county, the City of Hays and Nex-Tech.

Ellis County Administrator Darin Myers said staff was quickly able to roll the phone calls over to the Hays Fire Department and 911 phone calls were transferred to the Pratt County…