When people think of emergency response, they probably envision police officers, firefighters and EMS workers. But before these brave public servants arrive on the scene, there is another line of first responders: 911 call center professionals and dispatchers.
Too often, those who work in emergency communications centers are not considered when critical resources are allocated. Outdated technology, inconsistent standards and regulations across jurisdictions, and lack of formal recognition as first responders have created an unsupported and broken system. It’s time for elected leaders at every level of government, along with private-sector partners, to transform the system…
One Jessamine County 911 dispatcher got a call she won’t forget. She saved a life by talking a caller through CPR and now she’s being recognized for her actions. She has a message for the community about the importance of knowing CPR. 23-year-old Makenzi Hill has been a Jessamine County E911 dispatcher for three years. Last month, she took a call from an assisted living home where a patient had gone into cardiac arrest. That’s when Hill talked the caller through CPR. “They called and said that the lady wasn’t breathing,” recalled Hill. For the first time in her career, Hill saved a life…
The local 911 and emergency dispatch program is expected to cost more next year, but there may be a way to ease the impact on taxpayers with the help of funds in reserve.
That was the message of 911 Coordinator Larry Haug to the government liaison committee Thursday.
The 2023 budget would look similar to this year’s $2.53 million budget but for a proposed increase in staff in Minot Central Dispatch and additional costs with the phone network, Haug said. The amount of those changes is uncertain yet…
A Wisconsin man was sentenced Wednesday to three years in prison for making more than 75 phone calls to a police dispatch over a day this past summer, according to local reports.
Dodge County Circuit Judge Martin De Vries sentenced John Cowen to three years of prison time and another six years of extended supervision, according to The Journal Times.
Cowen was found guilty in February of unlawful phone use, resisting or obstructing an officer and a felony count of battery or threat to law enforcement, as well as bail jumping, according to the report…
Thousands of 911 calls related to mental health incidents were diverted away from a law enforcement response in Austin last year, and officials say that amount could more than double in 2022.
In Austin, those calling 911 are met with the standard police, fire and EMS options—in addition to a fourth choice for a mental health request. Calls requesting help with a mental health issue are then forwarded to a specialist at the 911 call center and could result in clinicians and case managers, rather than police, responding to an incident… READ MORE
A Penn Yan woman faces a number of charges after police say she made multiple phone calls to 9-1-1 for no legitimate purpose.
50-year-old Shantel Champlin was warned by police to stop calling if there was no emergency or she would be placed under arrest. Police say Champlin then proceeded to call 9-1-1 multiple times again for no legitimate purpose. When police responded to her home to arrest her, Champlin allegedly fought with officers… READ MORE
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.
