Emergency calls from citizens left on voicemail; prompts 9-1-1 reminder (UT)

Emergency calls from citizens left on voicemail; prompts 9-1-1 reminder (UT)

TOOELE, Utah — The North Tooele Fire District is reminding citizens to know what number to call if they’re experiencing an emergency.

The district says they’ve been getting emergency calls and voicemails left on their administrative phone line, which isn’t monitored after-hours or on weekends.

“If you call 9-1-1, they will get us out there faster than any voicemail you could ever leave ever,” said Jon Smith, a firefighter and public information officer at North Tooele Fire District. “We live in a world of seconds, not minutes, in emergency response.”

Since time is of the essence when it comes to emergency response, it’s important to note that calls for help should be directed to 9-1-1 dispatch either by dialing 9-1-1 or a non-emergency dispatch line…

Despite difficulties, firefighters want Durham to send 911 calls to outside agencies in peak times (NC)

Despite difficulties, firefighters want Durham to send 911 calls to outside agencies in peak times (NC)

As Durham continues struggling to handle 911 calls, some officials are calling for the city to adopt a mutual aid agreement with another emergency communications center. But city records obtained by WRAL News show routing 911 calls through an outside agency has led to confusion and delayed responses in the past

[VIDEO in full article]

 

MSD Commission Wants to Know Why Isn’t Dispatch System Fixed Yet (FL)

Three years later, and there are still emergency dispatch issues in Broward County.

That topic dominated discussion Tuesday at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission meeting in Sunrise. The police response to the mass shooting was slower than it should have been, and the Commission told Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry there were several factors at play, and one of them has not been fixed. For example, if you call 911 on your cell phone in Parkland, the call goes to the Coral Springs Police Department, which then has to transfer the call to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, creating a delay. As Henry explained, the cities of Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, and Plantation are on a separate 911 dispatch system. To hear why that’s a problem for come on the commission, click here for the story from NBC 6 reporter Ari Odzer…

Boise Fire Adds New Technology to Better Serve Boise (ID)

Boise Fire Adds New Technology to Better Serve Boise (ID)

The Boise Fire Department is taking steps to help ensure we have effective communication tools for everyday situations, big events or emergencies.  Our department recently obtained equipment connecting us to FirstNet, a nationwide, high-speed broadband communication platform purpose-built specifically for first responders and the extended public safety community.

“As a regional response agency and knowing that we are the most remote city of our size, it’s important for our department to have reliable and modern communication tools,” said Special Operations, Division Chief Paul Roberts. “The rural landscape around Boise oftentimes does not have the most reliable cell phone or radio coverage. From wildfires to isolated accidents, this technology offers another form of connectivity to our first responders on a scene.”

We recently acquired a Compact Rapid Deployable (CRD) from FirstNet to act as a deployable network asset that will provide coverage for first responders anywhere at any time. CRDs link to FirstNet via satellite and do not rely on commercial power availability, making them ideal for use during emergencies in rural and remote areas, as well as areas where communications may be temporarily unavailable…

‘Hold up’ between Perry County and Tell City leaders making the future of dispatch services unclear (IN)

PERRY Co., Ind. (WFIE) -A disagreement between city and county officials on who should head up 911 dispatch.

It all comes down to PSAP.

It’s the public safety answering point. So the location where all of your 911 calls are answered.

In Perry County, Tell City Police Department has been the PSAP for decades.

The problem started once Tell City Police officials discovered what they call an unbalanced portion the county was paying for the dispatch services… READ MORE

Call to Action: Ask Congress to Fully Fund Next Generation 9-1-1

We need your help, public safety! On March 11, 2021 the U.S. House of Representatives introduced the Next Generation 9-1-1 Act of 2021 as part of the LIFT America Act (H.R. 1848). Now we need to urge the Senate to fully fund this legislation.

How to show your support:

  1. Call Senator Schumer’s Office at (202) 224-6542. Tell the office who you are, where you’re from, and deliver a simple request: “Please fully fund Next-Generation 9-1-1.” 
  2. Please consider doing the same with the Senators from your state. Click here to find their contact information.
  3. Sign the Petition: Support Next Generation 9-1-1 Funding Legislation

Why is this important?

This legislation provides $15 billion to update our nation’s 9-1-1 infrastructure, protect this infrastructure from cyber threats, and ensures that all members of the first responder community will be trained to effectively use Next Generation 9-1-1 technology to complete their mission: To save lives. This legislation will provide funding to not only update, but modernize the existing 9-1-1 infrastructure, as well as ensure interoperability, address cybersecurity concerns, and provide training for first responders and end users of the 9-1-1 system.