Auditors to scrutinize construction of new public safety building (CA)

Auditors to scrutinize construction of new public safety building (CA)

Seeking to contain the costs of its largest infrastructure project — a new public safety building in the California Avenue business district — Palo Alto has charged its city auditor with examining every change order and invoice associated with the new structure.

And while the project still remains in an early stage, with completion scheduled for June 2023, the firm Baker Tilly is already finding errors and discrepancies, according to a recently released audit…

Rising 9-1-1 call loads, recruitment struggles put Wisconsin fire and EMS agencies on shaky ground, new report says

A growing call load coupled with lagging recruitment could be a recipe for disaster for Wisconsin fire and emergency medical service agencies, according to a study conducted by the Wisconsin Policy Forum

“Unless they are appropriately addressed, fire and EMS financial and staffing challenges may soon have a real impact on public safety,” the report says.

Grafton fire chief William Rice said Ozaukee County is no stranger to these issues. Both locally and nationally, fire departments have seen a growing need for ambulances for years, Rice said. But unlike larger, more urban communities like the City of Milwaukee, most don’t have the staff or funding to meet these demands… READ MORE 

Communications center promotions announced (AR)

Garland County recently announced the latest promotions within the Garland County Communications Center.

“These promotions are the result of independent emergency communications testing, as well as a series of independent and internal interviews, conducted earlier in the year,” James Martin, director Garland County 911 Communications Center, said in a news release.

Brittney Bettis was promoted from Level II telecommunicator to Level III telecommunicator, the release said… READ MORE

City working to cut 9-1-1 response times (TX)

City working to cut 9-1-1 response times (TX)

Northern Ellis Emergency Dispatch (NEED), which operates out of the Midlothian Police Department facility, last week launched a new Emergency Medical Dispatch system for the citizens of Midlothian. Pictured in the photo is NEED manager Christine Thompson (standing), working with emergency dispatcher Raquel Deranjic to field a call on launch day.

Midlothian’s 9-1-1 operators recently began using medical dispatch protocols designed to provide immediate response to callers’ needs and at the same time dispatch emergency personnel without delay.

While previous procedures limited dispatchers to obtaining the location where help was needed and a brief description of the emergency, new protocols allow them to provide instructions for treating the emergency until help arrives…

Minnesota call center supervisor named director of Delaware County 911 communications (IN)

Minnesota call center supervisor named director of Delaware County 911 communications (IN)

MUNCIE, Ind. — A new 911 director has been hired for Delaware County.

Bernard “Fred” Cummings will oversee the Delaware County Emergency Communications Center when he arrives in Muncie to take the position in mid-January. He has been serving as a PSAP (public safety answering points) shift supervisor in a suburb of Minneapolis, according interim 911 director Barry Ritter.

PSAPs are the primary answering points for wireless 911 calls…