Monroe County secures grant to install 911 texting service (OH)

WOODSFIELD — Monroe County residents will be able to text message 911 by early next year, thanks to a grant secured by county officials.

The Monroe County Emergency Management Agency, along with six other surrounding counties, secured nearly $80,000 in funding to install text-to-911 software.

EMA Director Phil Keevert made the announcement during Monday’s Monroe County Board of Commissioners meeting… READ MORE

911 dispatchers request to be recognized as first responders (OR)

Dispatchers from the John Day Emergency Communications Agency asked Grant County Court to pass a symbolic resolution recognizing dispatchers as first responders in Grant County.

Dispatcher Cammie Haney said a bill in Congress that would reclassify dispatchers as first responders instead of office administrative support workers passed in the United States House of Representatives but has stalled in the Senate…

New dispatcher on the line in Grant County (OR)

Christmas morning, kids wake up as excitement fills the air at the chance to open gifts with family — a feeling comparable to when Darian Maynard returned to the Grant County dispatch center to begin her work as the new dispatcher.

Maynard recently graduated after three weeks at the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training where she learned techniques for stress management, civil liability, ethics, criminal law, overview of fire-rescue and law enforcement operations and more…

How Peer-to-Peer Texting Could Play a Role in Disaster and Pandemic Response

By Brandi Vincent

As America fights a global pandemic and braces for what could be an alarmingly active hurricane season, public safety agencies looking to modernize response efforts have a new option to participate in personal, two-way conversations directly with each other and with those they serve—via text message.

RumbleUp, a peer-to-peer texting app that’s made notable waves for political and advocacy campaigns in recent years, was accepted into the FirstNet App Catalog, a dedicated library of secure applications that can be used by more than 12,000 public safety agencies. The addition could enable first responders to directly text people on the ground in support of COVID-19 testing and contact tracing efforts, as a lifeline during hurricanes, and other natural disasters or unexpected events and much more. READ MORE

Public Safety Dispatcher- Police (Temporary/Part-Time) (CA)

Under general supervision, performs skilled work in the receipt and dispatch of emergency 911 and non-emergency calls in accordance with established department policy and procedures; utilizes various equipment such as a telephone, radio, computer and CLETS terminal and related telecommunications and office equipment; dispatches necessary units for emergency service; tracks activity in order to secure the safety of field personnel and the facts of the situation; and, performs other related duties as required. An applicant for this position must be willing and available to work any assigned shift, including weekend and holiday hours…

MCSO moves a step closer to getting new and improved 9-1-1 system (OH)

ZANESVILLE – A bid opening took place today at the Muskingum County Commissioners Office to find out who will supply the equipment. The software company, Civica, was the lone bidder for the project with a bid of just over $146,000.

The 911 computer stuff we have has an end of life date on it for the end of this year which means it starts the process of it where it could go wrong, it could go bad so we’er always trying to be proactive, always trying to keep the best stuff out there for our people and this will let us get forward with that,” Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz said… READ MORE