After a bus filled with children caught fire in an accident on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge last year, first responders rushed to the scene. But not all heroes of the moment were on the bridge that day.
Marianne Hill, a veteran dispatcher with the Richmond Communications Center, fielded the call that day and made a swift, difficult decision to break the rules in order to save lives. Rather than call the Richmond Fire Department (RFD) … READ MORE
To the Editor:
As we approach National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 12-18, 2020, I’m inviting community members to take pause to appreciate our “first” First Responders. These are the specialists who help us when we dial 911 for emergency service. At a time of panic and distress, these dedicated individuals keep us calm and focused to collectively respond in the thrust of a crisis. They guide the conversation to fully assess the situation and promptly dispatch needed resources. These skilled folks continue to coach us to function in any crisis situation. They are our lifeline … READ MORE
Next-generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) promises to provide public safety agencies with more robust multimedia information in the form of voice calls, text messages, data, photos and video that can be used to provide first responders with the information they need most. However, this welcomed upgrade in 9-1-1 information transmission poses a number of unique challenges. For example, what are the optimum input processes that can ensure easy access to the relevant data without … READ MORE
LANCASTER COUNTY, S.C. (WBTV) – For weeks, officials in all 46 South Carolina counties asked the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control to give them a secure database.
The database was expected to be filled with addresses of people who tested positive for the coronavirus so first responders could protect themselves.
DHEC announced it will supply the addresses.
[…] ”When we get a call my telecommunicator has 40 seconds to get the call ready for dispatch so seconds are… READ MORE
House Democrats this week revealed that federal funding to support the nationwide deployment of IP-based next-generation 911 (NG911) technology is included in their proposal for a future coronavirus rescue legislation that places an emphasis on infrastructure projects, but such a package may be delayed longer than anticipated.
A cost study released in the fall of 2018 estimated that deploying NG911 nationwide would require between $9.7 billion and $12 billion. Currently, the proposal calls for $12 billion to support NG911 development—the amount used… READ MORE
MONROEVILLE, Pa. — A Monroeville volunteer firefighter and emergency dispatcher turned himself into Allegheny County Police on Thursday for allegedly assaulting and sending inappropriate messages to a 14-year-old girl.
The victim reported Gregory Lauffer, 23, to police on March 12.
Through the investigation, Monroeville police determined that Lauffer was attending an event… READ MORE
