iCERT Announces Data Integration Initiative to Improve Public Safety Communications

The Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies, Inc. (“iCERT”) today publicly announced the formation of a comprehensive effort to promote effective integration and use of data in public safety operations; the Data Integration Initiative (“DII”). The DII will address new and more effective ways to perform mission critical operations as significant amounts of data from an increasing number of source points are generated and delivered to public safety communication centers. The DII has strategic, operational, and educational goals including recommendations related to core areas impacting the future of public safety data such as technology, analysis, management, security, privacy, and funding…

Champaign County first responder community remembers dispatcher, firefighter killed in crash (OH)

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY — Joe Hester and Chelsey Jordan Baumann are being remembered by first responders in Champaign County for their dedication to serving the community and willingness to help others.

The couple died in a motorcycle accident in Huber Heights on Thursday.

Baumann was a 911 dispatcher for the Champaign Countywide Communications Center and Hester was a firefighter with the Urbana Fire Division… READ MORE

RBC Dispatch switch more complicated than expected (CO)

Transferring dispatch services from the Communications Center in Meeker to the Colorado State Patrol’s (CSP) regional call center in Craig won’t be as easy as simply signing a contract and pushing a button, RBC Commissioners learned Tuesday in a work session with Jeff Davis, director of CSP’s communications branch; Elaine Moe, Craig Regional Center director and the deputy director of the Craig center. The Craig call center currently serves 12 different entities… READ MORE 

Telecommunicators of the Year announced in Toronto (Canada)

Emergency Telecommunicators are the calm voice at the other end of every 9-1-1 call, the first of the first responders, and the hidden heroes of emergency services. Toronto Paramedic Services, Toronto Fire Services and the Toronto Police Service recently recognized outstanding Emergency Telecommunicators through the annual Telecommunicator of the Year Awards.

A joint awards ceremony to recognize the outstanding telecommunicators from each of Toronto’s emergency services is traditionally held in April for the previous year’s recipients. This year, the ceremony was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and each service has chosen to recognize their own 2019 award recipients during Toronto Public Service Week… READ MORE

Wells plans 198-foot tower for emergency communications (ME)

WELLS, Maine — A new communications radio tower that would be used primarily by the town’s police, EMS, dispatch and fire departments has been proposed for a plot of land at 585 North Berwick Road.

The 198-foot tower will be located adjacent to the Public Works Department, according to Wells Police Department Patrol Officer Christopher Baez, who is managing the project…

Test of Johnson County Emergency Notification System (JCENS) to take place this Friday (IA)

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The Johnson County Joint Emergency Communications Center (JECC) and the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) will conduct a test of the Johnson County Emergency Notification System (JCENS) on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020.

Johnson County uses the JCENS high-speed telephone emergency notification services for mass public safety notices such as lost persons, amber alerts or emergency evacuations or other priority messages during times of crisis. The JCENS system gives officials the ability to deliver pre-recorded emergency telephone notification and information messages to targeted areas or the entire county… READ MORE