by ECC Editor | Sep 23, 2021 | Comm Center News
For the first time in two decades, on September 14, 2021 the Belleville Police Department has hired civilian dispatchers to assist officers at the Chief Mark Minichini Communications Center.
With the emergency line previously staffed by police officers, civilian dispatchers are considered a key part of creating a smoother communication center. Hiring civilian dispatchers allows police officers to be on the streets while professional dispatchers answer calls, according to Police Chief Mark Minichini.
“Adding civilian dispatchers relieves us as a department and allows us to become more effective and efficient,” said Minichini, “Now our officers can be out in the community where they are needed, so this is a win-win. I am grateful to the mayor and council for supporting this initiative.” … READ MORE
by ECC Editor | Sep 21, 2021 | Comm Center News
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — People with AT&T in southeast Arkansas could not make or receive any calls, including emergency calls to 911 on Sunday.
That issue has since been resolved, but a big concern for a lot of people is why it happened, and
This time, it was completely out of the hands of Jefferson County.
Nearly one month ago, central Arkansas experienced an outage because of old equipment… READ MORE
by ECC Editor | Sep 20, 2021 | Uncategorized
Knox County Commissioners have received more than $13.1 million in requests from local towns and organizations for a portion of the $7.7 million in federal relief funds the county received.
Knox County Commissioners have only taken action on committing about $500,000 of the $7.7 million for retention bonuses for employees at the Knox County Jail, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and the Knox County Regional Communications Center. In addition to the $13,118,706 million worth of requests from towns and organizations, county departments have also identified $3.9 million in potential uses for the relief funding. Hart said the list of department requests could change since he is still awaiting some additional information. Commissioners have not yet decided if department requests will be prioritized over those from towns and organizations, according to Hart… READ MORE
by ECC Editor | Sep 20, 2021 | Comm Center News
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – Greenville Police is mourning the loss of an “invaluable member of the GPD family,” telecommunicator Brad Cayton, who died overnight, the department announced on Sunday.
Cayton, who was an emergency dispatcher, worked for more than 20 years and was known as someone who “dedicated his life to helping others in criss and even solved many a crime,” GPD said.
Cayton leaves behind his wife and children.
Greenville Police said there will be more tributes to follow… READ MORE
by ECC Editor | Sep 20, 2021 | Comm Center News
Being put on hold for any reason can be annoying in itself, but a whole different issue arises when that phone call is a potential life or death situation.
One restaurant worker in the Buckhead area of Atlanta got an unfortunate example of that feeling by the Atlanta Police Department when his 9-1-1 call after being shot while on a lunch break was met with a “please hold” response.
As FOX Atlanta reported last week, a waiter at Mediterranean seafood restaurant Kyma says he witnessed two men trying to enter a car while on his 7:30PM break. Once spotted, the man was shot before both men sped off in a getaway car. Thankfully, he wasn’t fatally injured in the ordeal as the bullet only struck his arm.
As he dialed 911 for help, his calls were repeatedly met with an automated recording telling him to hold, which laster for way longer than anyone should have to wait during an emergency… READ MORE
