Emergency dispatchers needed in Dauphin County (PA)

DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. — Struggling with ongoing staffing shortages, Dauphin County emergency response officials are calling for residents to apply to be 911 emergency dispatchers – and as soon as possible. 

According to Jeffery Enders, Dauphin County’s director of public safety, 13 positions are open out of 53 total telecommunicator roles. The deficit is causing working dispatchers to take on excessive overtime. “We’re down that 20 to 30% in numbers, which is requiring our dispatchers to work as many as 20 to 50 to 80 hours of overtime every two weeks,” said Enders. “It is really impactful and it weighs on them heavily everyday, but I can say here in Dauphin County we’re proud of our people they continue to put forth for the protection of the citizens of Dauphin County… READ MORE

What responders really think about communications tech

What responders really think about communications tech

Thanks to the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Public Safety Communications Research program, responder organizations and device developers can now see how users really feel about communications technology.

With PSCR’s Survey Results and Survey Analyzer tools, public safety officials can sift through the results of a large-scale survey of 7,000 first responders who shared their views on existing and emerging public safety communications technology – from radios and smartphones to bodycams, virtual reality and fingerprint scanners…

Upgrades are planned for Gates County 911 Dispatch (NC)

Upgrades are planned for Gates County 911 Dispatch (NC)

GATESVILLE – A plan is in place to make upgrades to the Gates County 911 Communications Center in an effort to return that service to the county.

Citing staff shortages and equipment malfunction, Gates County officials were forced to hastily transfer 911 services to neighboring Perquimans County on Dec. 17. That service remains there at the present time while Gates County officials work to address the issues they have with staff and outdated equipment.

Jason Sample, Gates County Emergency Management Director, and Heather Ceney, 911 Interim Supervisor, were on hand at last week’s regularly scheduled meeting of the county commissioners to give an update of the issues with the 911 system…

Changes are coming to the 9-1-1 system (CA)

The Indio Police 9-1-1 dispatch center is preparing to roll out new software in the near future that will help improve people’s access to place an emergency call. This would include people who are attending any one of the large festivals or events brought to the Coachella Valley.

It’s going to get easier for the public to access emergency services when the time comes. It’s also going to be easier for dispatchers to know more about a situation behind a call.

There are going to be apps and even a button in certain cars that will make getting ahold of a 9-1-1 dispatcher much easier… READ MORE

County EMA considers solutions for crisis (PA)

CLARION – There may be short-term and long-term solutions available for the emergency medical crisis in Clarion County.

Lue Wilson, the assistant secretary of the Clarion County Township Association, said Monday at a meeting of the county Emergency Management Committee that the previous limits placed on the use of the American Rescue Plan money have been eased.

Wilson said the new rules go into effect in April…

Augusta Co. uses ARPA funds to help Sheriff’s Office, improve Government Center (VA)

AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) – Augusta County is figuring out how to spend its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

Wednesday night, the Board of Supervisors voted to help out the sheriff’s office and make some improvements at the Government Center in Verona.

The county has already spent almost $6 million on broadband, plus some money on employee bonuses. It met ARPA requirements, so now it can spend what’s left of its nearly $15 million in ARPA funds on whatever it want… READ MORE