Alachua County must pay $1.6M bill or face shutdown of public safety system (FL)

After the county failed to negotiate a new contract with Gainesville Regional Utilities’ GRUCom for its public safety radio system, GRUCom billed the county $1.6 million — more than double the county’s usual cost for running the system, or else it could face a system shutdown. 

County commissioners voted at Tuesday’s special meeting to send a letter to Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe stating that they want to negotiate a better deal but will seek an injunction to stop the system from being inaccessible if the bill isn’t paid on time… 

Bloomington’s Community Advisory on Public Safety Commission seeks diverse applicants (IN)

Bloomington’s new Community Advisory on Public Safety Commission is open for applications to fill 11 vacant positions, the City of Bloomington’s Clerk’s Office announced Dec. 30.

The commission will research “evidence-based alternatives to traditional policing” and identify public safety practices used in other U.S. cities as well as internationally. It will also evaluate if the practices found would work in Bloomington, according to the legislation that established the commission…

New Tennessee law allows trained 911 operators to give CPR instructions to emergency callers

New legislation in Tennessee gives all 911 operators across the state the resources to provide CPR instructions to callers in an emergency situation. The law went into effect January 1, 2021 and it provides quick training for all 911 tele-communicators in Tennessee.

“The state board has established online training, so three hour training that you take online, you have to pass instructions on it, so they’re able to get everybody trained, which wasn’t available before,” Hamilton County 911 Emergency Communications Executive Director John Stuermer said…

Police Dispatcher at Northern Virginia Community College

Basic Function

The primary objective of the College Police Department is to develop and direct a comprehensive program of law enforcement to provide the highest level of safety, security and service for the campus community as they pursue their daily work and study activities, consistent with the laws of the Commonwealth.

Duties and Responsibilities

This position is responsible for performing a variety of communications and operational tasks in support of public safety, law enforcement, and security operations linking those in need of assistance to those who render assistance…

Text to 911 now available in San Diego County

SAN DIEGO — Texting emergency messages to 911 is now an option in San Diego County.

The sheriff’s department said calling is still the fastest way to reach first responders. If you can’t make a call, you can now text 911 to reach police and fire rescue services anywhere in the county.

Authorities listed several situations in which text to 911 would be helpful, including if you’re hard of hearing, non-verbal or have difficulty speaking. It’s also designed for use if you’re in a situation where it’s not safe to call 911 for help, or you’re having a medical emergency and cannot speak on the phone…