by ECC Editor | Oct 25, 2021 | Articles, Comm Center News, Uncategorized
Last week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) entered into Consent Decrees with eight Covered 911 Service Providers for failing to timely file their required 911 reliability certification in 2020.
The Rules
As background, the FCC adopted rules in 2013 aimed at improving 911 network reliability. The rules require Covered 911 Service Providers (“Providers”) to take certain measures to provide reliable 911 service. The specific measures adopted by the agency attempt to address three network vulnerabilities identified by the FCC in the aftermath of the derecho storm that knocked out 911 service along the east coast in 2012… READ MORE
by AllThingsECC.com | Oct 23, 2021 | Articles, Comm Center News, Opinions
In your day-to-day work life, have you ever stopped to wonder why you continue to come in to work every day? Why the PSAP life? More specifically, why you are an emergency services telecommunicator?
Bills, boredom, family to support, or just getting out of the house? Could it also be service to others, comradery, working as a team or family, benefits, or the love of what you do? One of the primary reasons may be due to the commitment you have to your PSAP. Your PSAP is more than just the job: it is the people surrounding you, the policies that you adhere to, and hopefully the difference you make on a daily basis…
by AllThingsECC.com | Oct 22, 2021 | Articles, Comm Center News
For agencies considering the transition to P25, the video offers insights and advice from public safety officials with firsthand experience.
The Project 25 (P25) standard for public safety land mobile radio (LMR) enables responders from different disciplines and jurisdictions to communicate seamlessly during joint operations regardless of the manufacturer of their equipment.
This capability is fundamental for saving lives and property, and agencies nationwide recognize its importance. Two issues, however, often make agencies hesitate to adopt P25 technology. First is the perceived high cost of P25 equipment and its implementation; second is the advent of long-term evolution (LTE) broadband technologies in public safety…
by AllThingsECC.com | Oct 21, 2021 | Articles, Comm Center News
The application will provide a significant operational advantage to organisations operating complex sites such as airports, utilities plants and sports stadiums, as well as those working in public safety.
Sepura have added to their portfolio of powerful AppSPACE applications for mission critical organisations with SmartView, a unique application that allows team leaders to get a real time view of their team’s indoor or outdoor location.
The application will provide a significant operational advantage to organisations operating complex sites such as airports, utilities plants and sports stadiums, as well as those working in public safety…
by AllThingsECC.com | Oct 20, 2021 | Articles, Comm Center News
The US Department of the Interior recently conducted a series of webinars to highlight advances within the various Tribal communities. I was most interested in the FirstNet portion of the webinar which was in a panel format. Hosted by FirstNet (Built with AT&T), this segment was entitled, “FirstNet—Transforming First Responder Communications and Extending Connectivity in Tribal Communities.”
This presentation was well organized and speakers from several Tribes took turns describing their Tribal lands, difficulties in providing public-safety communications, and the difference FirstNet (Built with AT&T) has made to all their nations.
They discussed how FirstNet has helped them in many areas of their public-safety communications by building out Band 14 on Tribal lands and, especially during covid outbreaks…
by ECC Editor | Oct 19, 2021 | Articles, Comm Center News
The upcoming generation of 911 technologies is exciting for a lot of people working in public safety today because it represents the first major upgrade in decades.
The idea that people at the scene of an accident or a crime will be able to not only call for help, but send first responders images and videos of what’s happening, holds great promise for those who’ve been charged with keeping the public safe. But with any new technology comes new security risks, and those who are designing the new system are thinking about that, too.
One of those people is Brandon Abley, a technical issues director with the National Emergency Number Association who also sits on an NG911 working group convened by the Federal Communications Commission. In an interview with StateScoop, he explained why he expects next-generation 911, though more complex than today’s systems, to also be more secure… READ MORE
