COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) -The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on many people. Those who work in 911 communication centers say they are feeling and hearing it.
While many calls are crime related, mental and behavioral health calls are also coming in, and employees say it seems like they are getting more of them. Working in a 911 communication center can be a difficult job. So the Colorado Springs Police department is making mental health a priority for their employees.
“We want to break the stigma that mental health is just as important as physical health,” said Sgt. Frederic… READ MORE
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – El Paso 911 telecommunicators are dealing with employee shortages, with 911 call takers having to work overtime to ensure that the call center always has at least minimum staffing.
“Were also using our uniform personal on the fire and police department side to come in and work overtime so we can give a break to those telecommunications who are out there working,” said El Paso Assistant Fire Chief Jonathan Killings.
Officials say the goal is for 90 percent of all 911 calls to be answered within 10 seconds, but that if there is a high influx of calls you may hear this message… READ MORE
A local lawmaker’s bill would provide extra support to law enforcement officers and first responders.
State Representative Mike Mueller of Linden’s bill to provide $368.5-million in funding to help with recruitment, retention, community outreach, and equipment upgrades passed through the House, Thursday.
Mueller said that a portion of that funding will be dedicated to increased mental health supports for police and first responders…
In a county with three dispatch centers, an ongoing study considers the benefits as well as the drawbacks of initiating a regional “911” call center at the Sheriff’s Office in Divide.
“The current system creates an inefficiency,” said Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell. “If you live in a municipality, you’re paying for three dispatch centers.”
Residents with cell phones and land lines pay a fee to the El Paso Teller E-911 Authority, in addition to paying a portion of taxes for both city and county dispatch centers…
Jason Porter, president of the public sector and FirstNet at AT&T, said first responders and security personnel at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama will get access to a wireless and secure communications network with the launch of a new cell site in the state.
The purpose-built cell site will work to deliver an enhanced mobile broadband experience and exclusive access to the high-quality Band 14 spectrum to firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency response teams stationed at the U.S. Army base, Porter wrote in a blog post published Thursday…
Last week, a man speaking Spanish called into the Amarillo Emergency Communications Center in distress, when officers arrived at his location they found 34-year old Gonzalo Zubia dead from a gunshot wound… [VIDEO]
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.
