by AllThingsECC.com | Jul 8, 2021 | Comm Center News
Newswise — Washington, D.C. – Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) technology will allow responders and the public to employ real-time text, images, video, and voice calls during emergencies. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program recently awarded $997,526.67 to San Antonio, Texas-based small business SecureLogix to secure that data against increased cyber threats.
“While NG9-1-1 technologies will enhance the current capabilities of today’s 911 systems by enabling multimedia sharing and connectivity, we must ensure these critical emergency response networks remain resilient and reliably operational,”said Kathryn Coulter Mitchell, DHS Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology…
by AllThingsECC.com | Jul 8, 2021 | Comm Center News
The Cumberland County Emergency 911 District Board of Directors approved a new salary schedule management says will make the agency better able to recruit and retain dispatchers.
“This payroll structure will put us ahead of Roane County,” Terry Williams, director of operations, told the board during its June 22 meeting. “It will put us at the 75th percentile in Tennessee and 90th percentile among our competition and is competitive with businesses in Cumberland County.”
But the pay increase — from just under $14 an hour to $19.50 an hour starting pay — struck some board members as too much, too fast…
by AllThingsECC.com | Jul 8, 2021 | Comm Center News
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Dispatchers in Volusia County are now responding to emergencies faster than ever, and they say it’s thanks to a new automated system that responds to burglar, fire and medical alarms instantly.
At Sweet Marlay’s Coffee, owner Tammy Kozinski knows minutes matter.
“When we were robbed that Easter Sunday, the person who came in here was not in my shop four minutes,” said Kozinski. “He was in and out of here in under four minutes time.”
Luckily, her alarm company notified authorities what was going on so they could respond.
Thanks to a new system now being implemented at the Volusia Sheriff’s Office Communications Center, for many, that process is speeding up…
by AllThingsECC.com | Jul 8, 2021 | Comm Center News
The Harrodsburg City Commission voted to consolidate 911 services with Bluegrass 911 at a special-called meeting on Wednesday, July 7.
In a 3-1 vote, the commission voted to abolish the telecommunications department once they were accepted by Bluegrass 911, which is located in Garrard County. All assets not including real property and liabilities will be transferred to Bluegrass 911. Commissioner Ruth Ann Bryant, who served as a dispatcher for over 35 years, voted against it.
“I’m against it,” Bryant said. “I think it’s a bad move, not just for the city but for the whole of Mercer County.”
The expenses of running the department are split between the city and the county. The Mercer County Fiscal Court will vote on the proposal at a special-called meeting on Thursday, July 8, at 11:30 a.m. If the fiscal court also votes to dissolve the communications department, Commissioner Adam Johnson, who oversees the police, fire and communications department, said it would take 48 hours for the consolidation to be approved by Bluegrass 911…
by AllThingsECC.com | Jul 8, 2021 | Comm Center News
A few hours after she was admitted to the ER last year, Holly was released. She then followed through on her threat to take her own life, dying on Sept. 19, 2020. She was 28. Dairi said he doesn’t blame the officers who responded. Just as he wouldn’t know what to do if he were handed a cop’s badge and gun, he feels the officers weren’t adequately equipped to handle the situation.
Had he and Holly had access to trained mental health responders and peer support specialists that night, Dairi thinks his wife’s story might have turned out differently.
House Bill 1477, which the state Legislature approved earlier this year, is designed to make that happen with a goal of preventing similar tragedies. It will provide money to improve staffing at the state’s crisis call centers. At the same time, the state will be expanding its network of mobile crisis response teams, which the call centers can dispatch to people who are suffering a behavioral health crisis….
