Maj. Jessica Pruett’s life has experienced a phenomenal transformation over the past four years. The Taylorsville resident, who is the director of the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office E911, went from not being able to walk or talk to currently being at the top of her profession.
On March 12, she was named the 2024 Communications Director of the Year at the 15th annual Georgia Emergency Communications Conference’s Awards Banquet in Columbus. The GECC is a joint offering of the Georgia chapters of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials and the National Emergency Number Association.
Everbridge, Inc., a provider of critical event management (CEM) and national public warning solutions, today announced that the City of Baltimore has deployed the Everbridge Public Safety platform, reinforcing its commitment to protecting residents and enhancing community resilience in the face of emergencies and large-scale events.
As a vibrant and diverse city,Baltimore serves as a major hub on the East Coast, home to nearly 600,000 residents and millions of annual visitors. The BMORE Alert Mass Notification System,powered by Everbridge, strengthens the city’s ability to communicate rapidly and effectively during critical situations, ensuring that individuals receive timely, life-saving information when it matters most.
“Baltimore recognizes the importance of using the latest technology to keep our community safe,” said Joey Henderson, Director of the Baltimore City Office of Emergency Management. “Everbridge equips us with a powerful platform to deliver timely and critical information to our residents, enhancing our overall emergency preparedness.”
The Everbridge Mass Notification solution enables Baltimore to reach its population through a multi-modal approach, including text, email, mobile app notifications, voice calls, TTY/TDD, and social media. This flexibility ensures that emergency messages can be disseminated quickly across multiple channels, reaching the right people at the right time—whether citywide or targeted to specific areas affected by an event.
To further strengthen its emergency communication capabilities, Baltimore has also implemented EverbridgeResident Connection, which enables city officials to draw geo-fenced shapes on a map, allowing them to accurately reach the largest number of people in those zones. This granular approach is essential for reaching vulnerable populations, including individuals with special needs, those dependent on medical devices, and residents with limited internet access.
“Everbridge is proud to support the City of Baltimore in its mission to safeguard residents and visitors,” said Dave Wagner, CEO of Everbridge. “By deploying our public safety technology, Baltimore is enhancing its ability to mitigate risk, improve situational awareness, and build a more resilient community.”
Baltimore joins a growing list of Maryland-based Everbridge customers, including hospitals, schools, public transportation systems, and local governments across Anne Arundel, Carroll, Queen Anne’s, and Prince George’s counties. Other major U.S. cities leveraging Everbridge technology include New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas, Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington, D.C.
Pictured left to right: Dep. Mark Eve, Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman; Deps. Jonathon E. Carrier, Lynda K. Morris, Michael A. Randazzo, Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman; Deps. Clayton W. Reese, Maxwell B. Rifkin, Houston M. Dikeman, Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman; Dep. Yevgeny Chernyavskiy, Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman; Group photo: Lts. Christopher M. Perz, Christohper D. Maze, Gerardo M. Carrillo, Paul T. Cernansky; Sgts. Brian J. Bercaw, Kyle M. Collison,Samuel R. Lutz,Mark T. Tuls, J. Lincoln Dilling,Eric E. Griffin, Andrew T. Prummell; Detectives Chandler M. Hartman, Evan M. Bair, Alexander J. Conly, Dwight D. Mattis; Deps. Shane M. Ayala, Devin A. Berry, Christian Cedano, Houston M. Dikeman, Gabriel B. Eckert, Christopher McConnell, Christopher McGrain, Justin G. Osinga, John C. Fandozzi, Michael H. Watson, Patrick A. Bassett, David L. Clark, Robbie L. Martin, George B. Yock; Emergency Operations Supervisor Kristen A. Williams, Communications Operator I: Keri M. Halpin, Christine A. Peterson, Dionne M. Tomkins. Not pictured: Deputies Stephen D. Brown and Angelo S. Akyan.
Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman presented several awards at a ceremony on Thursday.
Deputy Mark A. Eve received the Life Saving Award for his response to a woman in distress at Siesta Key Beach whose husband was drowning. Eve recognized that the man was caught in a rip current and struggling to swim. Eve radioed dispatch, requested assistance from county lifeguards, and entered the water. He swam approximately 100 yards and encouraged the swimmer to float on his back while the deputy pulled him from the rip current and back to shore. Assistance was provided by a bystander who was an off-duty Lee County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant. Deputy Eve’s quick reaction and heroic efforts helped to save the life of this citizen.
Deputies Johnathon E. Carrier, Lynda K. Morris, and Michael A. Randazzo received the Life Saving Award for their response to a call concerning a victim of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Upon arrival the deputies observed an unconscious victim with labored breathing, a gunshot wound to his upper left chest, and an exit wound on his lower left back. Working together the deputies removed the victim’s shirt and used a wound-sealer on the chest and back to improve breathing. The victim was taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital by Sarasota County Fire Department (SCFD) for treatment and survived. Deputy Carrier, Deputy Morris, and Deputy Randazzo showed extraordinary dedication in this successful life saving attempt.
Deputies Stephen D. Brown, Houston M. Dikeman, Maxwell B. Rifkin, and Clayton W. Reese received the Life Saving Award for their response to a report of a possible battery. Upon arrival they found a man with a significant cut on his upper arm that was bleeding heavily after punching through a window. The deputies quickly jumped to action with Rifkin applying a tourniquet to the injured arm. Reece assisted in the application of the tourniquet while Brown retrieved more medical supplies from his agency vehicle. Then, Dikeman, Reese, and Rifkin moved the victim to a better location to accurately assess the injuries. Arriving paramedics noted that they had never seen someone survive such excessive blood loss. The quick response and collaborative work of Deputy Brown, Deputy Dikeman, Deputy Rifkin, and Deputy Reese saved this man’s arm and his life.
Deputies Angelo S. Akyan, and Yevgeniy Chernyavskiy received the Life Saving Award for their response to a call reporting a 50-year-old male suffering a medical episode near the Beneva and Proctor Roads intersection. The patient had been riding his bike in the area when the episode took place, and he lost consciousness and fell from his bicycle onto the roadway. Upon arrival Akyan found the patient unconscious, not breathing, and without a pulse. He administered chest compressions while Chernyavskiy retrieved his manual resuscitator to provide rescue breaths while compressions continued. They completed multiple rounds of compressions and breaths for approximately 6-7 minutes until EMS arrived. Just before EMS arrived a faint pulse was detected. EMS continued life-saving measures and transported the patient to Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Deputy Akyan and Deputy Chernyavskiy were praised for their efforts and undoubtedly played a role in saving the patient’s life.
The Meritorious Achievement Award was presented to the following members of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office for their response during the catastrophic water damage to many parts of Sarasota County during Hurricane Debby:
Special Operations Administration Lieutenant Christopher M. Perz Lieutenant Christopher D. Maze
Emergency Response Team (ERT) Lieutenant Gerardo M. Carrillo Sergeant Brian J. Bercaw Sergeant Kyle M. Collison Detective Evan M. Bair Detective Alexander J. Conly Detective Dwight D. Mattis Deputy Shane M. Ayala Deputy Devin A. Berry Deputy Christian Cedano Deputy Houston M. Dikeman Deputy Gabriel B. Eckert Deputy Christopher McConnell Deputy Christopher McGrain Deputy Justin G. Osinga
Marine Unit Sergeant Samuel R. Lutz Deputy John C. Fandozzi Deputy Michael H. Watson
Incidence Dispatch Team Emergency Operations Supervisor Kristen A. Williams Communications Operator I Keri M. Halpin Communications Operator I Christine A. Peterson Communications Operator I Dionne M. Tomkins
Agricultural Unit Lieutenant Paul T. Cernansky Sergeant Mark T. Tuls Deputy Patrick A. Bassett Deputy David L. Clark Deputy Robbie L. Martin Deputy George B. Yock
SURF (Dive Team) Sergeant J. Lincoln Dilling Sergeant Eric E. Griffin Sergeant Andrew T. Prummell Detective Chandler M. Hartman
This group, comprised of 34 SCSO members from various teams and units, worked together in response to record-breaking rainfall above 15 inches in some areas within a 24-hour period. In order to begin rescue efforts, the Agricultural Unit utilized boats and some personally owned vehicles to access areas along rivers and canals. What initially began with only the Agricultural Unit and ERT, quickly transitioned into a full-team callout which included the additional resources of the Marine Unit and the SURF/Dive Team to aid Sarasota County citizens. Additional support was then requested by other agencies and the SCSO Incident Dispatch Team played a crucial role in coordinating evacuations, keeping units updated, and organizing rescue efforts among neighboring law enforcement agencies, including the Sarasota Police Department, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Venice Police Department, and SCFD. 587 evacuations and 11 animal rescues were accomplished because of the exceptional and efficient teamwork of these employees working for the purpose of public safety.
The sheriff’s office presented a certificate of recognition to Derrick Wohlfehrt for his response when a vehicle crashed into a ditch and the driver was trapped inside. Wohlfehrt is the owner of the home at the address where the crash took place. When Wohlfehrt realized that the driver was trapped, incapacitated, and could not exit the vehicle, he opened the driver’s side door and pulled the driver out of the vehicle to a safe location. Wohlfehrt’s quick thinking and decisive action were instrumental in saving the life of the driver who ultimately escaped the accident uninjured.
Sarasota County Fire Fighter/Paramedic Charles Mungovan, Daniel Loper, and Justin Snauffer each received a certificate of recognition from the sheriff’s office for their actions at the scene of a multi-vehicle accident along I-75. A white SUV had been reported traveling southbound and weaving in and out at high speeds along I-75 using the right-hand shoulder as a travel lane. The SUV, while going at full speed, then struck a semi-truck parked along the interstate. A handful of witnesses stopped to provide aid as the vehicle burst into flames with the driver still inside. Looper rushed to the aid of the driver and removed him from the burning vehicle. Snauffer and Mungovan ran to assist with carrying the driver to a safer location in front of the semi-truck. When Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived, Mungovan was assessing the driver’s injuries. The deputies became the direct line of communication with dispatch. The driver was transported to the hospital, treated for minor injuries, and released the next day. Because of the selfless actions of these good Samaritans — Daniel Looper, Justin Snauffer, and Charles Mungovan — the driver’s life was saved.
“This agency is proud to have so many members who are constantly giving their very best for the citizens of Sarasota County!” stated Sheriff Hoffman. “These members have applied their training and proven their commitment to our community with their heroic efforts and selfless work. We are also grateful to live in a community where good Samaritans still exist and care about their neighbors.”
“I was born and raised in Yazoo City, Mississippi. I’ve lived in Tennessee for approximately 22 years and currently live in Lebanon.”
Married, children?
“I’ve been married for 24 years and have three handsome sons, ages 22, 12 and 8.”
Education?
“Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Western Governor’s University.”
What was your first job?
“Cashier at a fast-food restaurant.”
Why did you get into law enforcement?
“I was born with a heart to serve, and I believe this is the field of work that God sent me to be of service.”
Has law enforcement always been your career?
“Yes. I started out with Metro Nashville Emergency Communications Center and spent four years there before coming to MJPD.”
How long have you worked at MJPD?
“Seventeen years. My first job there was as a dispatcher/call-taker. I have been supervisor for approximately seven years. (Editor’s Note: Evans was named MJPD Supervisor of the Year in 2020 and 2024).”
What is the communications center?
“The Communications Center is a central facility responsible for receiving and managing emergency and non-emergency calls and coordinating the response to those calls.”
Is this 911 dispatch?
“We do not take the initial 911 call. The Wilson County 911 Center receives the initial call to verify jurisdiction and then transfers the call to the correct agency within Wilson County.”
What are your duties?
“I oversee the communications personnel; manage shift schedules, ensuring adequate staffing levels to handle call volume at all times; supervise the dispatch process to ensure the correct allocation of resources (police, fire, EMS, etc.) based on the nature and urgency of the call. I also assess staff performance, conduct evaluations and provide feedback to improve efficiency and service quality. I supervise 16 employees.”
Do you take calls as part of your job?
“Yes, this can be a part of my job should the need arise.”
What shift do you work?
“It varies sometimes due to Communications being a 24/7 operation, but most days are 7 a.m.-3 p.m.”
What generally is the percentage of emergency calls vs. non-emergency?
“I would say approximately 40 percent emergency and 60 percent non-emergency.”
Variety of calls you (or your employees) get on a typical day?
“Medical calls, reckless drivers, burglary and fire alarms, wrecks, and general crimes against persons and property.”
What is the most impactful emergency call you’ve run across in the past five years?
“It was the tornado in 2020. It was mass devastation, and each call was impactful as several people needed help that night and for several days after. The response from MJPD was amazing.”
How do people know when it’s an emergency?
“When a threat to life, health, property, or public safety requires immediate intervention. (Editor’s note: MJPD non-emergency number is (615) 754-2550, extension 0 for dispatch).”
What type of training is needed?
“Basic telecommunications training, police, medical, and fire dispatch certification, TCPR certification, NCIC and TIES certification.”
Do you supervise the Nixle notifications?
“No. This is handled primarily by Deputy Chief Tyler Chandler.”
Best piece of advice you’ve received or given?
“Always put God first and remain humble.”
Hobbies?
“Reading, playing games with my kids and listening to music.”
If you could spend an evening with anyone, past or present, who and why?
“I would love to spend an evening with Jesus Christ. I’d ask for a master class on navigating life.”
Current obsession?
“My family. It is my absolute goal right now to be a better wife, mother, daughter and sibling to my family. This means taking better care of myself.”
What do you do to relieve stress from job?
“Music is a major stress relief for me. I love all genres of music and can genuinely get lost in it. Exercising has also become a good strategy for relieving work stress.”
QUAY COUNTY, N.M. (KFDA) – The Tucumcari Quay Regional Emergency Communications Center says 911, the non-emergency line and all radios are down in the area.
This is impacting both Quay and Harding counties.
This also includes the Conchas Dam area.
If you need police, fire or EMS, you can call dispatch cell phones at (575) 403-9103. If you call 911, the call will go through to New Mexico State Police.
WASHINGTON, March 20, 2025 – Judges declined Wednesday to pause the Federal Communications Commission’s order giving AT&T’s FirstNet access to portions of the 4.9 GigaHertz band.
“Movants have not satisfied the stringent requirements for a stay pending court review,” a three-judge panel from the D.C. Court of Appeals said in a unanimous order.
The National Sheriff’s Association and San Francisco’s public transit agency, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), had asked judges to put the October 2024 order on hold while legal challenges play out.
The order would allow FirstNet to access unassigned parts of the 4.9 GHz band, currently set aside for local public safety users, after the selection of a band manager who would be authorized to enter a sharing agreement with the nationwide first responder network. Other wireless carriers and consumer groups had pushed back against the plan, arguing in part that it would effectively hand billions of dollars to AT&T, which can use dormant FirstNet spectrum as part of its contract.
The 4.9 GHz band has useful characteristics for 5G networks, and the carriers have been starved of additional airwaves since the FCC’s ability to hold spectrum auctions expired in March 2023. AT&T supported the sheriffs and BART had asked for a stay in part because the FCC is asking current 4.9 GHz users, which both groups are, to change their existing geographic licenses in the band to site-specific licenses by June 9, 2025.
The groups argued that wasn’t enough time to marshall the time and manpower necessary for the required engineering studies at every tower site a user operated, and that taking all currently unassigned airwaves off the table interfered with planned expansions.
“This would strand the public’s investment, while also likely putting several state and local public safety entities back near square one in achieving their emergency communication capabilities,” the sheriff’s association wrote in its motion.
BART claimed it would have to delay and potentially restart its ongoing construction of a new train control system.
The FCC argued in a reply brief that the conversion of licenses “will not affect the scope of incumbent licensees’ existing operations.”
As for BART’s case, “the Commission has made clear that it will entertain waiver petitions in ‘special circumstances,’” the FCC argued. “BART, to date, has not asked for a waiver.”
BART had acknowledged the potential for a waiver in its filing, but said it didn’t believe the agency would “meaningfully consider” its concerns.
The order that got the process of allowing FirstNet into the band came down under previous FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, but current Chairman Brendan Carr supported them at the time.
Both the Coalition for Emergency Response and Critical Infrastructure, backed by Verizon and T-Mobile and opposed to the plan, and the Public Safety Spectrum Alliance (PSSA), led by a former FirstNet executive and in favor of the plan, sued the FCC over its order.
CERCI wants it scrapped, arguing the FirstNet doesn’t have legal authority to operate in bands outside its initial charter, and PSSA wants FirstNet to get access to the airwaves even quicker.
Learn about current efforts to continue to protect the 4.9 GHz Band for public safety as well as recent filings, key decisions impacting these efforts, and how you can support PSSA’s initiative to protect the 4.9 GHz band for public safety.
