by ECC Editor | Feb 22, 2022 | Comm Center News
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) -Several spoke Monday in favor of Senate Bill 491, which would allow first responders to receive workers’ compensation benefits if they develop PTSD on the job.
Senate Bill 491 would allow workers compensation benefits for treatment, time off, or changing roles if the current role is too stressful.
The bill currently includes law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services. Some supporters also want to include dispatchers… READ MORE
by ECC Editor | Feb 19, 2022 | Comm Center News
COOS BAY, Ore. – Coos Bay voters will be asked to approve a $20 million bond measure for a new combined library and 911 communications center.
The City Council unanimously approved placing the bond measure on the upcoming May ballot during a meeting this week.
The measure authorizes the city to issue bonds to help pay for a combined library and 911 communications center in John Topits Park. The structure will be approximately 32,700 square feet and is expected to include space for library collections, study and computer locations, as well as community meeting and age-specific programming spaces… READ MORE
by ECC Editor | Feb 19, 2022 | Comm Center News
A new fast, more efficient iteration of Virginia’s 9-1-1 system is now active in about 20% of the state, including Henrico County. In total, the new system is serving about 43% of the state’s population.
During the past four years, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the Virginia 9-1-1 Services Board have been working to transform Virginia’s 9-1-1 system into the Next Generation 9-1-1 (or NG9-1-1) system, which is based on a modern internet protocol network. The move was funded by the board. NG9-1-1 securely delivers 9-1-1 calls to the appropriate 9-1-1 center faster, transfers 9-1-1 calls and associated data where needed, and interconnects with other public safety systems and databases, according to state officials… READ MORE
by ECC Editor | Feb 19, 2022 | Articles, Comm Center News
Across the United States, Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) are understaffed. PSAPs are the crucial call centers where operators receive 911 calls and route them to the appropriate emergency service personnel—such as police departments, fire departments, or emergency medical services (EMS). Although staffing is a perennial problem for PSAPs, COVID-19 has further exacerbated the issue and put already overburdened staff under increasing amounts of stress.
At a time when more people are seeking work/life balance and positive mental health, it’s easy to surmise that many PSAP call-takers and dispatchers may be leaving the industry for jobs that are better paid, have nicer schedules, or that don’t require the stressful daily navigation of traumatic events… READ MORE
by ECC Editor | Feb 19, 2022 | Comm Center News
SOUTH BEND — The executive director of St. Joseph County’s combined 911 dispatch center will step down at the end of the month, the county announced Thursday, after a four-year run that was largely dominated by efforts to get the center on track after a rocky start less than a decade ago.
Ray Schultz, a former assistant fire chief in Mishawaka, took over operations at the consolidated “public safety answering point,” or PSAP, in early 2018, and inherited a host of challenges, from technology woes to understaffing… READ MORE
