Columbia 911 first to adopt new program (OR)

More than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States annually, according to the American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives. Cardiac arrest is a life-threatening condition with about a 10-minute life expectancy without immediate CPR from a bystander. With emergency medical service (EMS) providers, on average, arriving on scene in seven minutes following a 9-1-1 call, the chance of survival significantly improves… READ MORE

Shortage of dispatchers in Clay County; We’re working with basically half our staff (FL)

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – There’s a shortage of dispatchers in some of our local counties – they are the first people you turn to when you need help. 

It’s a tough job under any circumstances. But right now, being a dispatcher in Clay County, is even tougher.  “They’re tired of working overtime. You’ve got some people working seven to eight days straight without a day off,” said Ashley Barber, lieutenant of communications. Barber said…

DC 911 takes 7-minutes & much confusion to send help to firefighters at a gas leak (DC)

Once again DC 911 shows it can’t handle its basic mission

There’s more proof this (Wednesday) afternoon the 911 center in the Nation’s Capital is incapable of performing its core mission of sending the right help to the right location in a timely manner. In today’s incident, DC Fire & EMS Department Engine 1 attempted to get two additional engine companies and a battalion chief to assist with a natural gas leak. Amid much confusion at the Office of Unified Communications (OUC or 911 center), it took dispatchers approximately seven minutes… READ MORE

911 What’s Your Emergency? (CA)

The emotional consequences of being a 911 dispatcher is overwhelming, and Stockton California Highway Patrol Dispatchers have found strength through the madness.

Dispatchers have a 24 hour service, keeping their community safe by answering and resolving intense emergency phone calls. They do their absolute best to keep victims… READ MORE

Tioga County 9-1-1 ECC celebrates 40 years of answering calls (PA)

WELLSBORO — The Tioga County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Center celebrated 40 years of answering emergency calls and 30 years answering calls to the number 911 during an open house Thursday, Oct. 24.

The David R. Cohick 911 Emergency Communications Center located at 99 William Farrell Drive here boasts 16 telecommunicators who rotate shifts to provide 24-hour coverage for Tioga and Potter counties.

The center, which began operation in 2015, is able to assist callers with stations that include 10 computer monitors that can trace calls…

Albany police chief: Dispatcher shortage relief coming soon

ALBANY, N.Y. (WRGB) – Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins has a message for the city’s dispatchers — relief is coming soon.

“We’re on track to have the dispatch center fully staffed within the next six or seven weeks,” Hawkins said.

Hawkins says he is well aware of the staffing shortage, forcing employees to work more than 500 overtime shifts this year.

“That pains me greatly. It’s one of the things that keeps me up at night,” he said.

But the Chief says…