by ECC Editor | Apr 3, 2020 | Articles
As we approach National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 12-18, 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 for 20-30 minutes… READ MORE
by ECC Editor | Apr 2, 2020 | Articles, Comm Center News
The Athens-Clarke County Police Department was scheduled to host an on-site assessment team this week for its goal of national accreditation for its communication division, but that effort has been moved into May.
The assessor for the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies was to conduct a review of the 911 Center to ensure it meets the organization’s standards for excellence, according to a news release from the police department… READ MORE
by ECC Editor | Apr 2, 2020 | Articles
FARMINGTON – Meeting via a teleconference call, county commissioners and other officials discussed how the novel coronavirus would impact county operations moving forward and approved a contingency plan for the Franklin County Regional Communications Center.
Franklin County Emergency Management Agency Director Tim Hardy said that dispatchers at the center had come together to develop a continuity of operations plan. If it was to be deemed necessary that dispatchers shelter in place, Hardy said, teams of four dispatchers would work for two week rotations. Hardy noted that commissioners… READ MORE
by ECC Editor | Apr 2, 2020 | Articles
The work of emergency communications personnel is emotionally charged. Whether it’s working with callers, field units or fellow coworkers, the emotional dimension is often the most individually impactful, yet also the most overlooked.
In fact, a career in public safety necessarily causes each of us to be less empathetic and less perceptive when it comes to understanding this hidden side. Working with people who are experiencing traumatic situations, as an emergency communications professional does every day, changes one’s perceptions of the world, and can even make you “feel dead inside,” as one 9-1-1 dispatcher succinctly put it. Coined “emotional numbing,” it’s the natural… READ MORE
by ECC Editor | Apr 1, 2020 | Articles
SALT LAKE CITY — Some recently retired workers are being called on to help.
Governor Gary Herbert issued an executive order that lifts limits on retired government workers so they can return to essential positions needed right now.
[…] The department is looking for retired law enforcement officers to fill positions including jail health services administrator, 9-1-1 communications center director and paramedics… READ MORE
by ECC Editor | Apr 1, 2020 | Articles
Equipment failure — and not increased demand— was blamed for the latest service disruption to Telus Mobility customers.
On Tuesday morning, Telus experienced an equipment failure that caused a service interruption in parts of Western Canada affecting wireless services and some wire-line customers,” stated the company.
The cause of the outage was identified and service restored within an hour… READ MORE
