Public Safety Foundation Network Launches to Support First Responder Agencies and the Communities They Serve

Public Safety Foundation Network Launches to Support First Responder Agencies and the Communities They Serve

by | Oct 20, 2021 | Comm Center News

Member-based initiative unites first responder foundations to address resource gaps

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — More than 20 public responder foundations united today to launch the Public Safety Foundation Network (PSFN), the only coalition of nonprofits that support the work of first responder agencies—including police, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS). The newly formed organization provides resources to make first responders more effective in their communities.

Public Safety Foundation Network (PSFN)
Public Safety Foundation Network (PSFN)

“First responder foundations are doing incredible work for their communities. By creating a hub through the PSFN, foundations can easily learn from each other and improve their programming and services at a faster rate,” said Thomas Kovach, Founding Advisor to the PSFN and Executive Director and Secretary of the board for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Foundation. “Our vision is that communities thrive and trust that they are supported by well-trained, well-equipped first responders who will keep them protected and safe…

Trenton Mayor and First Responders Ask City Council to Advance Proposals to Keep Trenton’s Emergency Communications Online (NJ)

by | Oct 20, 2021 | Comm Center News

City has a Deadline of Oct. 31, 2021 to Pay Radio Service Provider

Trenton, N.J. – Mayor W. Reed Gusciora – flanked by clergy, city residents, union representatives and his police, fire, and EMS command staff – today called on Trenton City Council to approve payment to the City’s radio service provider and advance the Administration’s proposal to upgrade Trenton’s outdated emergency communications equipment at no additional cost to city residents.

Currently, Trenton is on a trajectory to have its entire radio system shut off by the end of the month. City Council has indefinitely tabled a September 2021 resolution to pay the city’s current radio service provider, MPS Communications, for services rendered. The vendor has stated it will shut off service on Oct. 31, 2021…

Nokia modernises Vermont Department of Public Safety communications network for first responders

by | Oct 20, 2021 | Comm Center News

Nokia said it has upgraded the State of Vermont Department of Public Safety (DPS) microwave communications network, which supports the mission-critical communication needs of several state agencies. The fully implemented microwave platform provides the state with increased speeds, more flexibility and resiliency and higher bandwidth to support modern communications applications, such as video, for its statewide public safety network…

Public Safety Advocate: FirstNet Tribal Successes, Interoperable PTT and Data, AT&T and FirstNet Authority Move Forward

by | Oct 20, 2021 | Articles, Comm Center News

The US Department of the Interior recently conducted a series of webinars to highlight advances within the various Tribal communities. I was most interested in the FirstNet portion of the webinar which was in a panel format. Hosted by FirstNet (Built with AT&T), this segment was entitled, “FirstNet—Transforming First Responder Communications and Extending Connectivity in Tribal Communities.”

This presentation was well organized and speakers from several Tribes took turns describing their Tribal lands, difficulties in providing public-safety communications, and the difference FirstNet (Built with AT&T) has made to all their nations.

They discussed how FirstNet has helped them in many areas of their public-safety communications by building out Band 14 on Tribal lands and, especially during covid outbreaks…

Roller coasters are causing smart devices to accidentally call 911. Dispatchers say it’s taxing their system (TN)

Roller coasters are causing smart devices to accidentally call 911. Dispatchers say it’s taxing their system (TN)

by | Oct 20, 2021 | Comm Center News

In the popular tourism destination of Sevier County, the 911 dispatch center director estimates 60% of accidental calls come from amusement park rides.

SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. — Sevier County’s 911 dispatch center receives dozens of emergency calls a day from smartphones and smartwatches accidentally activated on rides at local amusement parks. It’s taxing dispatchers with added workload, the 911 center’s director said. 

From May until early October 2021, Sevier County received nearly 16,000 accidental 911 calls. Of those, 60%—nearly 10,000 —came from amusement park rides, 911 dispatch director Todd Spence said… 

Kyle Plush: New recommendations for Cincinnati’s 911 center (OH)

Kyle Plush: New recommendations for Cincinnati’s 911 center (OH)

by | Oct 20, 2021 | Comm Center News

CINCINNATI (FOX19) – When the city of Cincinnati agreed to pay $6 million to the family of Kyle Plush to settle a wrongful death lawsuit earlier this year, the city pledged to make more improvements to the 911 center.

The settlement specifies $250,000 for improvements to the 911 call center. The funds are to be used to hire outside experts to review the city’s 911 operations.

The oversight will last five years and the experts’ recommended improvements must be made.

“This settlement is about improving the safety of the citizens of Cincinnati,” Al Gerhardstein, lawyer for the Plush family, said…