Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi still considering restoring access to first responder radio (HI)

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi still considering restoring access to first responder radio (HI)

by | May 2, 2022 | Comm Center News

Mahalo for supporting Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Enjoy this free story!

More than two months after the city removed first responder radio traffic from public radio waves, the city administration is still deciding whether to restore access to communications that Honolulu police officials argue must be concealed to help preserve public security and safety.

The public and news media’s longstanding ability to listen to the dispatch radio communications of publicly funded fire, police and emergency medical services ended Feb. 15 when the last phase of a $15 million conversion from the city’s analog system to a P25 Motor­­ola digital system was completed…

Mon Valley 911 dispatchers fear chaos as Allegheny County combines radio channels (PA)

by | May 2, 2022 | Comm Center News

In a move that the union representing 911 dispatchers called “disastrous” for public safety, Allegheny County is set to consolidate emergency communications for nearly a dozen Mon Valley police departments onto one radio channel. 

“The safety of all first responders is going to be erased,” said Michele Panella, a representative for the Service Employees International Union, which represents the dispatchers. “It’s not just going to impact police. It’s going to impact response times for the other agencies as well, as far as fire and EMS go…

Former Sheriff Larry Gilbert honored for innovations in public safety with dedication of EOC (FL)

Former Sheriff Larry Gilbert honored for innovations in public safety with dedication of EOC (FL)

by | May 2, 2022 | Comm Center News

NICEVILLE — The Okaloosa County Emergency Operations Center has taken on a new name in honor of the former sheriff who’s tenure contributed to the advancement of public safety in the county and throughout the state.

Larry Gilbert was elected sheriff of Okaloosa County in 1980 and served for 16 years, bringing a number of innovations and new technologies to the agency. Now his contributions will be recognized for generations to come at the Sheriff Larry Gilbert Emergency Operations Center in Niceville…

Durham 911 call pick-up times improve despite ongoing shortage of call takers (NC)

by | Apr 30, 2022 | Comm Center News

DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) – 911 call pick-up times at the Durham Emergency Communications Center have improved in the last eight months despite half of the center’s 911 operator positions remaining vacant.

CBS 17 broke the story more than a year ago about a shortage of 911 operators and the impact that had on call pick-up times.

The National Emergency Number Association’s (NENA) standard is for 90 percent of calls to be answered in 15 seconds or less… READ MORE

Lumen to Support Next-Gen 911 Implementation in New Jersey

by | Apr 30, 2022 | Comm Center News

Lumen Technologies will help the state of New Jersey move to a next-generation 911 platform under a seven-year contract to improve the delivery of emergency calls for the state’s 8.9 million residents.

The company said Thursday the Lumen NG911 platform is supported by a carrier-class, tier 1 network that connects network management services, emergency call routing intelligence and public safety applications and will enable emergency call takers to use additional information to direct first responders to a caller’s location… READ MORE

INVESTIGATES: Dispatch delayed in answering 911 call (FL)

INVESTIGATES: Dispatch delayed in answering 911 call (FL)

by | Apr 30, 2022 | Comm Center News

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Imagine an emergency call to help, but no one picks up on the other end. That was one family’s reality Thursday morning after a medical concern turned into a struggle to get through to dispatch.

Brittany Franswick said her brother’s pregnant girlfriend felt chest pains, had a headache and was dizzy.

Franswick said those were all signs that she needed help. The pregnant woman is due any day with a baby boy…