by ECC Editor | Oct 23, 2020 | Articles, Comm Center News
The results of a workplace assessment recently completed for Tucson’s Public Safety Communications Department has caused concern among city leaders who are working to address “fundamental problems in the operation of the department.”
The department is responsible for dispatching 9-1-1 calls for police and fire departments.
The third-party review by Traaen & Associates LLC includes interviews with 108 employees and outlines a variety of workplace issues, including staffing levels, recruitment, training, employee morale, instances of harassment and lack of accountability… READ MORE
by AllThingsECC.com | Oct 23, 2020 | Articles, Comm Center News
Motorola was the only company interested in bidding on an expensive project to update Virginia’s statewide public safety radio system, an outcome that led a competitor to complain the process was one-sided and drew scrutiny from a top lawmaker.
The Statewide Agencies Radio System, or STARS, began with a $329 million contract between the state and Motorola in 2004, with the goal of establishing a 24/7, digital voice and data communications system used by nearly two dozen state agencies…
by AllThingsECC.com | Oct 23, 2020 | Articles, Comm Center News
FirstNet announced a major expansion to its high-speed broadband communications platform for first responders this week, with additional cell sites and more than 2,000 other network enhancements tacked onto its Florida operations.
These additions will include cell sites constructed for the Band 14 and AT&T commercial spectrums at locations identified as priority spots by both state and public safety stakeholders. Band 14 is a nationwide spectrum granted to FirstNet specifically by the government for the only nationwide high-speed broadband communications platform. Additionally, FirstNet is giving free smartphones for life, with unlimited plans to first responders…
by AllThingsECC.com | Oct 22, 2020 | Articles, Comm Center News
This week we begin with comments about The FirstNet Authority blog concerning 3GPP and my comments on the 3GPP MCPTT standard and devices in the market today. Next up is the delay in the Senate’s passing of the repeal of the T-Band giveback due to one Senator and hopes for new Majority FCC Commissioners who truly care about how spectrum is used and who needs it instead of doling it out to commercial interests to the detriment of critical-communications systems.
3GPP Mission-Critical Update
People who, like me, are interested in the mission-critical segment of the 3GPP standards for both 4G (LTE) and 5G networks commented on last week’s Advocate and agreed that sifting through the 3GPP website is quite difficult…
by AllThingsECC.com | Oct 19, 2020 | Articles
It was almost 21 years ago, February of 2000, I was honored by Mayor David Raizk, when he asked me if I would assume the role of Director of Public Safety for the City of Wilmington.
The city safety director is responsible for administrating all safety services within the community. That includes the Police Department, Fire Department, Emergency Medical Service, and Emergency Communications (dispatch)…
by AllThingsECC.com | Oct 18, 2020 | Articles, Comm Center News
By Harry Markley, Senior Law Enforcement Advisor, First Responder Network Authority
Protect and serve, that is the motto of many law enforcement agencies across the nation. Every day, officers and deputies work in our communities handling incidents ranging from traffic violations to someone’s worst day. Each day is a new day with new challenges, but the “protect and serve” motto never changes.
Technology has evolved significantly, providing a cache of new tools for first responders in the field. Law enforcement agencies across the country are turning to technology for innovative ways to protect and serve their communities. With FirstNet – the only nationwide broadband network built for public safety – officers have secure, reliable access to apps and devices that help them in their everyday duties. Discover how two agencies are using technology to provide care to their communities and how FirstNet can support these advanced capabilities. READ MORE
