IU Health Lifeline works to improve EMS delivery advocating one dispatch center in Lawrence County (IN)

IU Health Lifeline works to improve EMS delivery advocating one dispatch center in Lawrence County (IN)

by | Sep 7, 2021 | Comm Center News

LAWRENCE CO. – IU Health Lifeline notified the Lawrence County 911 board that they will discontinue their 911 dispatch operations at their Bedford location beginning on October 1, 2021.

According to an IU Health spokesperson, “IU Health’s intent is to hold to the Friday, October 1st deadline.”

IU Health Lifeline has released a letter given to the Lawrence County 911 board which is advocating for the improvement of 911 services in keeping track of available ambulances in Lawrence County…

The 24-Hour Watch – The Eyes and Ears Behind the Scenes of North Caroina Emergency Management

The 24-Hour Watch – The Eyes and Ears Behind the Scenes of North Caroina Emergency Management

by | Sep 7, 2021 | Comm Center News

As part of the N.C. Department of Public Safety’s Division of Emergency Management, the 24-Hour Watch is housed in the State Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh. The Watch is an information and communication sharing hub for incident information and intelligence data from federal, state and local partners. The Watch shares information it receives with all necessary stakeholders via multiple communication platforms. 
 
“The 24-Hour Watch aims to be the eyes and ears of North Carolina Emergency Management, with complete situational awareness of all goings-on across the state,” said Amanda Winans, 24-Hour Watch Manager and State TERT Coordinator. “All information that comes into the Watch is pushed out in some way or another; our goal is that information never stops with us.”

George Bernard - Watch Analyst and Watch Training Officer.

Broadband: $6 billion plan creates public safety gap (CA)

Broadband: $6 billion plan creates public safety gap (CA)

by | Sep 7, 2021 | Comm Center News

High-cables connected to a server. (Photo: Everything You Need, via Shutterstock)

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CAROLYN McINTYRE posted 09.07.2021

With explosive wildfires once again raging across California, public safety must be paramount as legislators take final action on bills before adjourning the 2021 session on Sept 10. Resiliency of electric and communications infrastructure has never been more vital to public safety. 

Action is needed now to ensure that Gov. Newsom’s $6 billion broadband plan enacted in July protects all Californians no matter which provider or network delivers their communications service.

The new backup power requirements deemed safety-critical by the CPUC do not currently apply to the networks that will be funded by the governor’s current $6 billion broadband plan.

When wildfires take down cell towers and other communications infrastructure, consumers lose their lifeline to the world and cannot receive emergency alerts, evacuation orders, and public safety updates…

Nampa Police names new community engagement coordinator (ID)

Nampa Police names new community engagement coordinator (ID)

by | Sep 7, 2021 | Comm Center News

NAMPA — The Nampa Police Department on Tuesday named Carmen Boeger community engagement coordinator, a new position within the department.

Boeger, a longtime employee and current manager of Nampa’s dispatch center, will be responsible for relaying information to the public and assisting with the department’s public engagement programs and events.

Boeger has worked for Nampa Police Department as a 911 dispatcher, trainer and crisis negotiator. She also helped launch the department’s Facebook page and expand its social media presence with Twitter and Instagram. Boeger has been the department’s social media administrator for the last several years…

Wisconsin contracts with AT&T to provide next generation 9-1-1 services – WisBusiness

by | Sep 7, 2021 | Comm Center News

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, Office of Emergency Communications has selected AT&T to implement AT&T ESInet™, including Next Generation 9-1-1 (NextGen 9-1-1) call routing and emergency call statistic reporting, to improve emergency communications across the state. This new contract between AT&T and the state of Wisconsin is valued at up to $84 million over the next 10 years. Services provided by AT&T under the contract will help improve public safety and support 9-1-1 telecommunicators, dispatchers and first responders to help keep Wisconsin communities safe.

“Helping to ensure everyone in the state has access to NextGen 9-1-1 services is an essential step in keeping people safe and making first responders aware of ongoing threats to public safety,” said Maj. Gen. Paul Knapp, Wisconsin’s adjutant general…

Some Maine 911 dispatch centers struggle with staffing

Some Maine 911 dispatch centers struggle with staffing

by | Sep 7, 2021 | Comm Center News

The Regional Communications Center in Augusta is short 10 people. The director said every 911 call will be answered, but said dispatchers are feeling burned out.

AUGUSTA, Maine — Some 911 dispatch centers in Maine are struggling with staffing.

The Regional Communications Center in Augusta is short 10 people. Dispatchers are feeling burned out, and Maine Emergency Communications Director Brodie Hinckley said it is becoming a crisis.

“Especially since COVID hit. It’s definitely harder to get applications in. Nobody wants to work. Nobody wants to work in public safety, public safety across the board,” Hinckley said…