City Council discusses Central Dispatch Center (IN)

City Council discusses Central Dispatch Center (IN)

by | Aug 25, 2021 | Comm Center News

The combined City and County Dispatch Center took up most of Monday night’s Washington City Council meeting.

Under the current situation, the Washington Police Department’s receptionist also serves as a 911 dispatcher.

This has resulted in some instances where emergency calls have been put on hold, while the dispatcher had to take care of other police business.

When asked if he supported the combined city-county dispatch, Asst. Police Chief Trent McWilliams said yes and that he was tired of 911 calls being put on hold causing officers to be placed in potential danger…

Division Chief Martha Ellis unpacks fireground communications and FirstNet

by | Aug 25, 2021 | Articles, Comm Center News

Fire Chief Marc Bashoor speaks with Division Chief Martha Ellis, executive director for the Public Safety Broadband Technology Association. Chief Ellis unpacks all things fireground communications, interoperability and FirstNet. She details the mission of the PSBTA and how FirstNet is currently serving the fire service. Contact Ellis here.

To hear this episode of the Side Alpha Podcast, CLICK HERE

Weber emergency worker wins Utah dispatcher of year award

Weber emergency worker wins Utah dispatcher of year award

by | Aug 25, 2021 | Comm Center News

Ashton Orchard, a Weber Area 911 Dispatch and Emergency Services District employee, was named Utah dispatcher of the year on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021. (Photo supplied, Weber Area Dispatch)

Ashton Orchard’s mother says she wondered whether her daughter would succeed as an emergency dispatcher.

“I’ll be honest, I did not think she was going to be able to do it,” Lesha Spencer said. “She always wore her feelings on the surface of her skin. We always used to think, ‘If the wind blows, Ashton cries.’”

Orchard said she had her own doubts. “I was kind of nervous to be doing it,” she said. “But it becomes a little bit easier…

‘No response, no nothing’: Durham residents concerned as 911 calls go unanswered (NC)

‘No response, no nothing’: Durham residents concerned as 911 calls go unanswered (NC)

by | Aug 25, 2021 | Comm Center News

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — When Durham resident Garrett Smith looked out his window one night and noticed people poking around his car, his first response was to call the police.”Grabbed my phone started calling 911. As we were watching them do all this, it just kept ringing. It rang for probably 45 seconds to a minute. I thought something was wrong with my phone so I had my wife call, she was on for about two minutes, no response, no nothing,” Smith said.

Smith and his wife called multiple times and were never able to get reach anyone…

South Sioux City 911 system joining regional network in the fall (NE)

South Sioux City 911 system joining regional network in the fall (NE)

by | Aug 24, 2021 | Comm Center News

SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. (KTIV) – South Sioux City, Nebraska’s 911 system is going to be part of a regional network in the fall.

The dispatch centers in the region will now be on the same call system. Authorities at the South Sioux City LEC say there is no time like the present to make the changes, with Dispatch Supervisor Tracy Ellinger saying this regional system could not come at a better time.

“It was the right time for us because our old system was at the end of life and it needed to be replaced because it is no longer supported,” said Ellinger.

Ellinger says this is a way to be proactive, as dispatch centers from around the northeast Nebraska region can now answer each other’s calls if necessary. This means if a dire emergency is overflowing a center with calls, or a call center goes down, a neighboring one can pick up the calls and relay information to dispatch first responders…

Huntsville Fire & Rescue hiring 911 dispatchers (AL)

Huntsville Fire & Rescue hiring 911 dispatchers (AL)

by | Aug 24, 2021 | Comm Center News

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Among the many industries facing staffing shortages is a job that many may take for granted. Huntsville Fire & Rescue is currently hiring 911 dispatchers.

When you’re having an emergency or crisis, those three numbers separate you from getting help. When calling 911, the person picking up the call is working to do everything in their power to send help quickly.

“You hear that 911 call come in and it could be an accident… or it can be a medical call, someone having a heart attack, or the baby that had fallen and hit their head, or it could be a house fire,” said Tracy Christa. She is just one of many people in that position every single day. She’s a public safety dispatcher…