City on track to build $50 million 911 center, training compound for police, firefighters (SD)

City on track to build $50 million 911 center, training compound for police, firefighters (SD)

Sioux Falls is getting started on its new public safety training campus in northwestern Sioux Falls.

Building permits were filed Tuesday for several buildings in the complex, including an administration and classroom building, fire training building, range building, maintenance building and storage facility.

In total, the building permits cost about $30 million. WSKF Architects Inc. is listed as the applicant on the permit, which is a Kansas City, Missouri-based architecture firm known for designing fire and police stations across the country…

County Approves Fine Schedule For Approved 911 Law (MD)

SNOW HILL – County officials approved fines to be associated with the implementation of Kari’s Law. The Worcester County Commissioners on Tuesday approved a fine schedule associated with the enforcement of Kari’s Law, which requires multi-line telephone systems to allow for direct dialing 9-1-1.

“In the past we passed the bill for Kari’s Law,” said Worcester County Emergency Services Director Billy Birch. “This is just putting the fine schedule to it.”

Kari’s Law ensures that anyone can reach a 9-1-1 call center when dialing 9-1-1 from a multi-line telephone system. The law is named in honor of Kari Hunt, who was killed in a motel room by her estranged husband, according to 911.gov. Though her daughter tried to call 9-1-1 four times, the calls never went through because the motel phone system required a user to dial “9” before any outside call…

Frivolous 911 calls, staffing shortage strains Baton Rouge EMS: ‘Our people are working non-stop’ (LA

As 911 calls spike along with coronavirus cases, a short-staffed Baton Rouge EMS is struggling to keep up.

“Our people are working nonstop,” EMS spokesman Mike Chustz said in a recent interview.

The shortage has only been exacerbated by a dramatic uptick in non-emergency 911 calls.

Late last month, the department reported that the East Baton Rouge 911 dispatch center saw an 880% spike in COVID-related calls between June and July — an uptick Chustz said he’d never seen during any crisis in his 26-year career..

Navajo County seeks $25-million grant to boost broadband in White Mountains (AZ)

HOLBROOK — Navajo County recently put the finishing touches on an ambitious plea for $25 million in federal funding to improve broadband speed and reliability in the southern reaches of the county.

Meanwhile, Arizona Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly announced nearly $1 billion in federal grants to improve broadband coverage on reservation – including the sprawling Navajo Reservation covering northern Navajo and Apache counties.

The twin announcements represent solid progress in efforts by Navajo County to lay the groundwork for a fast and reliable internet network, which economic development officials see as the key to the region’s economic future. Navajo County recently hired a consultant to come up with a broadband master plan that would extend coverage to isolated communities and eliminate the slow speeds and frequent, prolonged outages that have plagued the current system…

Arlington County Recognized for Emergency Communications Center Remote Call-Taking & Dispatch (VA)

RICHMOND (August 5, 2021)—The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) announced the 30 recipients of the 2021 Achievement Awards, which recognize excellence in local government programs. VACo received 102 submissions.

Winning entries focused on addressing issues of inclusion, belonging, and reconciliation that challenge counties today.

“I want to thank all who participated in the 19th year of the Achievement Awards,” VACo Executive Director Dean Lynch said. “Our counties face challenges every day, and those challenges are written in these program submissions. What’s also written are the innovative solutions that overcome these obstacles to make life better for communities across the Commonwealth. We celebrate these victories with all who participated…