5G is safe and key to New York’s recovery

5G is safe and key to New York’s recovery

by | Jul 9, 2021 | Articles, Comm Center News

Given the popularity of telecommuting and the efficiencies it offers, remote work is likely here to stay. In fact, a few surveys have determined that fewer than one in five executives want to return to a pre-pandemic routine, and one in three employees would consider quitting their job altogether if forced to be in the office full time.

From 77 mobile towers burned in Britain to the Nashville, Tenn., bombing, a disturbing wave of anti-5G sentiment is rising across the nation and the globe. The claims not only threaten the widespread adoption of next-generation connectivity at a time when we need it most to bolster the economic recovery effort, but they also could serve to undermine efforts to bolster public safety by preventing the deployment of critical communications infrastructure…

NIST Prize Challenge Launches Research for Unmanned Aircraft in Search and Rescue

NIST Prize Challenge Launches Research for Unmanned Aircraft in Search and Rescue

by | Jul 9, 2021 | Comm Center News

A drone flies against the setting sun.

BOULDER, Colo. – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has launched a new prize competition to advance the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in first responder search and rescue operations.

Named the First Responder UAS Triple Challenge, this prize competition comprises three challenges with three different focus areas – all aimed at advancing UAS technology to support critical, lifesaving missions. NIST’s Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) division will accept contest entries beginning Aug. 2, 2021, with multiple stages running through June 2022…

Cyber attack shuts down City of Joplin’s online services, 9-1-1 still operational (MO)

Cyber attack shuts down City of Joplin’s online services, 9-1-1 still operational (MO)

by | Jul 9, 2021 | Comm Center News

JOPLIN, Mo. — The City of Joplin’s computer system is down causing online services to be unavailable to the public. As City staff works on this issue please note the following service changes during this time:

City phones are not working as system is internet based. The 9-1-1 system is still operational.

Online payments for utilities (trash and sewer) bill or court fines cannot be made. Citizens can still make payments in person with a check or cash…







VSBLTY partners on face biometrics and threat detection data for first responders

VSBLTY partners on face biometrics and threat detection data for first responders

by | Jul 8, 2021 | Comm Center News

VSBLTY partners on face biometrics and threat detection data for first responders

VSBLTY and RapidSOS have announced a new collaboration to provide first responders and 911 telecommunicators with the ability to access biometrics and other incident data from VSBLTY’s Vector software via RapidSOS.

The data will include immediate weapons detection, facial recognition classifying persons of interest (POI), sworn officers, suspects, victims, and bystanders, as well as license plate recognition at crime sites.

Also, caller health and medical information, connected building and alarm data, and other information first responders can leverage to minimize the impact of an incident…

County supervisors address public safety communications concerns (VA)

by | Jul 8, 2021 | Comm Center News

‘We do have a life-safety issue when the volunteers don’t get the calls’

At the Rappahannock County Board of Supervisors’ monthly meeting on Wednesday afternoon, the board discussed the impacts of the county’s lack of adequate telecommunications infrastructure on public safety, including issues with radio communication and phone service.

Scott Tangeman, director of public safety at L3Harris — the contracted system that the county’s fire-and-rescue services use to communicate with each other — came to address some of the concerns mentioned at the board’s previous meeting…