$17.79 Million Bid Award For New Johnston County Public Safety Center (NC)

$17.79 Million Bid Award For New Johnston County Public Safety Center (NC)

by | Sep 6, 2021 | Comm Center News

An artist rendering of the Johnston County Public Safety Center

Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management Will Move From Courthouse

SMITHFIELD – The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management, and E-911 Center will relocate from the Johnston County Courthouse in Downtown Smithfield to a new Public Safety Center once it is complete. At their August meeting, County Commissioners awarded a bid for the new Center. It will be constructed on Highway 70 Business East at Yelverton Grove Road adjacent to a new County Jail currently under construction.

Eight companies bid on the new two-story 62,910 square foot Public Safety Center. Bordeaux Construction was the low bidder at $17,797,000. Other bids ranged from $17,865,400 to $20 million…

Hudson police dispatcher one of five to earn leadership scholarship (MA)

by | Sep 6, 2021 | Comm Center News

HUDSON — After 19 years on the job, Hudson Police Department lead dispatcher Jody Blanchard still looks for ways to improve.

Next month, she’ll be heading to Florida for the Communications Center Manager Program, a two week in-person course along with some at-home virtual classes. She’ll attend after being awarded the Massachusetts PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) Leadership Scholarship, one of just five dispatchers to receive the award.

“It teaches mainly leadership skills — how to be a better leader and reinforcing all of the things we do,” said Blanchard, 44, of Northborough…

Two Southeast Alaska towns allow texts to 911 when calling not an option – Alaska

Two Southeast Alaska towns allow texts to 911 when calling not an option – Alaska

by | Sep 6, 2021 | Comm Center News


Petersburg, Alaska. (Joe Viechnicki/KFSK)

Residents in Wrangell and Petersburg now have the ability to text 911 for help when calling isn’t an option.

“It’s been working out excellent,” Petersburg Police Department Chief James Kerr said. “It’s designed for the hearing impaired or domestic violence situations. If you can’t talk to the dispatch, but you need help, you can text.”

A third-party provider helped implement the technology with the two police departments…

AT&T: Wireless network operating at more 98% of normal

AT&T: Wireless network operating at more 98% of normal

by | Sep 5, 2021 | Comm Center News

AT&T has provided an update on its wireless network following impacts from Hurricane Ida. They say it’s operating at more than 98% of normal.

The company’s statement is as follows:

“We continue to maintain and refuel more than 200 generators currently providing power to equipment there. Our wireless network in both Alabama and Mississippi are operating normally. More than 70 crews are continuing to work across Louisiana to keep our customers, their families and first responders connected.

We have deployed a FirstNet Communications Vehicle to a heavily impacted area in Louisiana to provide an extra level of support. In addition to providing LTE and Wi-Fi connectivity, this CV offers an air-conditioned command space for first responder personnel and is equipped with multiple monitors, charging stations, a television and a large exterior screen and speakers that can be used for briefings…

Augusta Department of Public Safety Director Bob Sage announces retirement after 34 years (KS)

by | Sep 5, 2021 | Comm Center News

Augusta Department of Public Safety Director Bob Sage has announced plans for his upcoming retirement after nearly 34 years in law enforcement.

Sage’s retirement date is planned for the end of October 2021 but will continue to serve in the director position while the city conducts a search and recruitment process for his replacement.

At the beginning of Sage’s career in public safety, at the age of 18, he started as a 911 dispatcher for the Augusta Department of Safety. From there he worked a variety of positions for three different law enforcement agencies until 2002 when he was appointed the Chief of Police in Rose Hill… READ MORE

Supply chain shortage could mean delay in county radio project (NM)

by | Sep 5, 2021 | Comm Center News

Supply chain shortages related to the COVID-19 pandemic will likely mean a delay in the next phase of the joint effort between Chaves County and the city of Roswell to upgrade local emergency radio capabilities.

“Phase two is officially at a dead stop,” said Dave Jones, general manager of Code 3 Services, the Albuquerque-based public safety service company that Roswell and the county have contracted with to transition area law enforcement agencies and fire departments from analog to digital radio.

Jones said some equipment needed for phase two of the project will likely not arrive until late October due to disruptions in manufacturing and shipping caused by measures taken last year to reduce spread of COVID-19…