City of Huntsville looking to hire 911 call takers (AL)

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Madison County 911 Center is looking to hire more call takers.

These call takers would work side by side with dispatchers but would not actually be dispatchers. Call takers are the first person people hear when they call 911.

“You gotta be able to multitask, you gotta be able to listen and type at the same time while taking accurate details of what’s going on,” said Huntsville Police Sgt. Ricky Stephen. “With the shortage, it’s creating extended call times, so what we’re trying to do, we’re trying to get people in here to be the first ones to answer those phones, get that accurate information and to get it to other agencies as quickly as possible and get help where it’s needed… READ MORE

Alexandria 911 system to provide location, health conditions for mobile users (VA)

The City of Alexandria, Virginia, is set to flip the switch on 911 technology that aims to help pinpoint the location of cellphone users, and quickly provide health information to assist first responders before they arrive on an emergency scene.

On Wednesday, the Alexandria Emergency Communication Center, which handles 911 calls for police, fire and medical emergencies, will launch a new cloud-based system called RapidDeploy RadiusPlus Mapping.

The new system aims to greatly reduce the amount of time it takes to learn the location of people calling 911 from a cellphone, rather than a landline… READ MORE

Durango and Montrose interagency wildfire dispatch centers could close down (CO)

Durango and Montrose interagency wildfire dispatch centers could close down (CO)

 

Proposal recommends consolidation from six dispatch centers to three in Colorado

Under a dispatch consolidation proposal by the Rocky Mountain Coordinating Group, the Durango and Montrose Interagency Dispatch Centers could be closed down.

Colorado has six interagency dispatch centers, which coordinate wildfire response and other emergencies.

To improve efficiencies, the coordinating group released a recommendation Oct. 27 to reduce the centers from six to three, keeping locations in Grand Junction and Fort Collins, and building a new one in Colorado Springs…

Sheriff’s Office recruiting for Emergency Communications Center (FL)

Sheriff’s Office recruiting for Emergency Communications Center (FL)

BROOKSVILLE – If you can keep a level head during an emergency, are good at multi-tasking, want to help others and deliver great customer service, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office wants to hear from you.

According to a press release, the agency will be holding a dual-purpose recruiting event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6, at Rural King, 2468 Commercial Way, Spring Hill.

Representatives of the HCSO will be there to discuss the opportunities available in 9-1-1 and Dispatch, the release said…

Phoenix police and fire departments are looking to hire more 911 dispatchers (AZ)

Phoenix police and fire departments are looking to hire more 911 dispatchers (AZ)

Cover picture for the article

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Fire Department and Phoenix Police Department are in need of more 911 dispatchers and are looking to hire dozens of people.

In total, they are looking to fill 66 positions.

“I consider our dispatch center the nucleus of every call,” said Phoenix Fire Captain Todd Keller.

He added that even with the many open positions, call times are not being impacted as their current operators are working extra hours to fill the need… READ MORE

FirstNet network expanding wireless communications for first responders in Tioga County (PA)

FirstNet network expanding wireless communications for first responders in Tioga County (PA)

TIOGA COUNTY, Pa. (WETM) – First responders in Tioga County are getting another major boost in their wireless communications thanks to the FirstNet® network expansion currently underway by AT&T.

New, purpose-built FirstNet cell sites will enhance voice and mobile broadband coverage in the county and give first responders on FirstNet – America’s public safety network – access to always-on, 24-hours-a-day priority and preemption across voice and data…