Tips From A Dispatcher: Things To Remember When You Call 9-1-1 (IL)

What happens when you call 9-1-1? There’s a process that takes place that many folks might not be aware of. That’s why, back in 2008, Congress declared the month of April “9-1-1 Education Month.”

According to the site, know911.org, the designation was created to help educate people about the “resources and materials to support public education about the optimal use of 9-1-1 services nationwide.”

Locally, the Penobscot Regional Communications Center has been posting to their Facebook Page, trying to help enlighten the community with some of the things to keep in mind when you make a call, during an emergency.

“Continuing with 9-1-1 education month – a little ‘what to expect’ when you call 9-1-1…

Public Safety Advocate: FCC Receiver NOI; Will Broadband Replace LMR? (Yet Again)

Public Safety Advocate: FCC Receiver NOI; Will Broadband Replace LMR? (Yet Again)

Welcome to the last Advocate for the month of April 2022. This month’s FirstNet (Built with AT&T) statistics as of the 22nd show two significant milestones have been reached: There are now 3.3M FirstNet connections and 20.5K+ agency subscribers.

The first topic that warrants a discussion this week is the FCC release of a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) for Receiver specifications. As you may know, there have been FCC rules for transmitters used in Land Mobile Radio (LMR) for many years. The purpose of these rules is to assure transmitters stay on their assigned channel and do not put out spurious emissions. Spurious emissions occur when the transmitted signal drifts from its licensed channel and spews out noise on either side of the channel…

Video 911 Calls Coming Soon To Volusia County (FL)

Video 911 Calls Coming Soon To Volusia County (FL)

Video 911 Calls Coming Soon To Volusia County Image

The Volusia Sheriff’s Office is preparing to deploy new technology that will make video 911 calls possible for the first time in Volusia County.

The new platform, Carbyne, will also allow VSO dispatchers to share a caller’s video with responding units in real time, sending them up-to-date information in seconds, even before they’ve arrived on scene.

In addition to the video capability, Carbyne will also provide improved caller location data that’s more precise and available almost instantly…

Supervisors roundup: Public Works director retires; county adds dispatchers (CA)

Kern County supervisors unanimously named Samuel Lux interim county Public Works director during a meeting on Tuesday.

Lux will replace outgoing director Craig Pope, who is retiring after more than 40 years of service with the county.

Lux started as an engineer with the county in 2011. He has served as assistant director of the department for the past four years.

“The board looks forward to working with Mr. Lux as he serves in this critical role and wishes Mr. Pope the best as he enters retirement,” the county wrote in a summary of Tuesday’s meeting… READ MORE

Chicopee City Council approves WESTCOMM renovations, OPEB benefit account (MA)

CHICOPEE – Changes to the city’s regional dispatch center and an infusion of cash to the city’s other post-employment benefits (OPEB) were approved during the City Council’s April 19 meeting.

Mayor John Vieau presented an update to the city’s Western Massachusetts Emergency Communication Dispatch District (WESTCOMM) Regional Dispatch Center, which is seeking to develop a new location at the former Salter College space at 645 Shawinigan Dr. The Chicopee center currently operates in collaboration with East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Monson and Ware at 110 Church St. in Chicopee…

Eugene Man Arrested For Calling 9-1-1 Over 100 Times (OR)

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – A man who called 911 more than 100 times was arrested in Eugene for misusing the emergency number.

KEZI-TV reports Avery Boniface began calling the Eugene Police Department non-emergency number at about 3 a.m. Monday and called the number approximately 350 times.

Police went to his residence but he didn’t answer the door.

On Tuesday called 911 for no apparent reason about 150 times Police said he was advised repeatedly about the misuse of 911, but continued to call and was abusive towards call takers… READ MORE