Flint police chief interested in breaking away from Genesee County 911 (MI)

Flint police chief interested in breaking away from Genesee County 911 (MI)

by | Apr 19, 2022 | Comm Center News

FLINT, MI — More than six years after Genesee County 911 took over dispatching Flint police and fire calls, Police Chief Terence Green says would like to bring the program back in-house.

Speaking to the City Council during a budget hearing on Thursday, April 14, Green said the city has been researching making such a move, said he prefers to handle the dispatching in the city, and said the change could be made with a $3-4 million investment of American Rescue Plan Act funds…

Dispatchers celebrated for hard work during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (ID)

Dispatchers celebrated for hard work during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (ID)

by | Apr 19, 2022 | Comm Center News

IDAHO — In a crisis, the first thing you do is call 911. You get connected with a dispatcher who then finds the right agency in the Treasure Valley to assist you.

Being a dispatcher can be a tough job and that’s why this week, dispatchers around the nation, including right here in Idaho were celebrated for National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

“So every call when it comes to needing a first responder starts with 911. We are the first responders, the first ones to take that call and to dispatch it out,” Ada County Dispatcher Courtney Lyskoski said…

Emergency operators, and pup, make a difference (TX)

Emergency operators, and pup, make a difference (TX)

by | Apr 19, 2022 | Comm Center News

AUSTIN (KXAN) — It’s National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, and emergency operators told us the boost of morale that comes with it is crucial now more than ever as departments face staffing shortages.

“Very intense through the entire night. You know, you’re monitoring the City of Austin,” said Austin Police Department Telecommunication Supervisor Tina Pesina, who manages the night shift.

According to the latest emergency communications report made to the Public Safety Commission, the department had 15 dispatch vacancies and 31 911 operator vacancies…

National Public Safety Telecommunicator’s Week recognizes first responders (TX)

National Public Safety Telecommunicator’s Week recognizes first responders (TX)

by | Apr 19, 2022 | Comm Center News

BISHOP, Texas — April 10-16 is National Public Safety Telecommunicator’s Week. The week is meant to honor those who serve their communities.

In Bishop, four people currently serve as dispatchers for the Bishop Police Department.

“We are the first responders. We are the ones 911 callers talk to,” said communications supervisor Norma Gonzalez, who has been with BPD for nearly 32 years. “So, asking the right questions, getting the right information to get help to you quickly, is what we’re trained for.”

Despite Bishop being a small town, the dispatchers are usually busy…

The voice on the phone (WY)

by | Apr 19, 2022 | Comm Center News

A look at the special telecommunicators who pick up when you dial 911

GILLETTE, Wyo.— Many things have changed since Campbell County Sheriff’s Office dispatchers April Hunt and Dottie White-Marcus’ first day on the job.

Technology plays a larger role in their jobs than it once did; radios are now digital and their eyes stare into six computer screens across multiple windows as they talk into headsets to emergency personnel or members of the public.

They sit in a newer portion of the CCSO, remodeled several years ago to become the new dispatch center while the old was changed into a small conference room…