Commissioners receive emergency operations center proposals (WA)

Clallam County has received a pair of offers from Seattle-area architects to design a joint Emergency Operations Center and 9-1-1 dispatch center in west Port Angeles.

The three commissioners on Aug. 24 opened non-priced proposals from OAC Services, Inc. of Seattle and Lawhead Architects of Bellevue for the proposed joint public safety facility near William R. Fairchild International Airport.

“This is actually not a bid opening,” said board chairman/commissioner Mark Ozias, after he and commissioner Bill Peach each opened manila envelopes from the firms…

Winnebago County 911 dispatcher hangs it up after 43 years on the job (WI)

Winnebago County 911 dispatcher hangs it up after 43 years on the job (WI)

OSHKOSH, Wis. (WBAY) – A legend is hanging it up in Winnebago County.

For more than 40 years, police officers, sheriff’s deputies, firefighters, and other emergency responders heard his voice on their radios. Now, Winnebago County’s longest serving 911 dispatcher is retiring.

“The voice of wisdom, the voice of reason. Someone has a question about something, Dennis knows. He’s so generous with his knowledge, his experience and being willing to help the new people along with some of the seasoned veterans.” That’s how coworker Jen Davis describes Dennis Kallin. One of the original ten dispatchers to start what is now the Winnebago County 911 Center, Kallin is the last man standing…

Meeting E911 Requirements in the Age of Hybrid Work

Those responsible for managing their organization’s E911 strategy face the following new challenges:

  • The shift to remote and hybrid work means that employees are largely no longer working from a fixed location.
  • The increase in the adoption of softphones changes the way individuals make calls, potentially creating more difficulty in reaching a 911 operator, especially for home-based employees.
  • Employees are more reliant on their mobile devices for making phone calls than ever before.
  • On-premises PBXs are rapidly going away as organizations increase their use of UCaaS.
  • UCaaS, coupled with bring-your-own-carrier for PSTN connectivity, adds additional management complexity in ensuring 911 call routing and location management…
Mayor Jones Tours 9-1-1 Facility, Meets with Dispatchers, and Outlines Plans to Improve Reliability and Response (MO)

Mayor Jones Tours 9-1-1 Facility, Meets with Dispatchers, and Outlines Plans to Improve Reliability and Response (MO)

ST. LOUIS – Today, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones toured the 9-1-1 dispatch center in Downtown St. Louis to meet with 9-1-1 dispatchers and give an update to press on the administration’s efforts to streamline and improve the city’s current system. Mayor Jones met with experienced 9-1-1 supervisors and dispatchers to learn more about their work, and sat down with a dispatcher to listen in on calls coming into the facility.

“St. Louisans deserve a 9-1-1 system that makes them feel safe and protected,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “I appreciate the hard work our 9-1-1 dispatchers do to connect residents with lifesaving resources in moments of crisis. My administration is committed to addressing both the short and long-term problems that have faced this system for years…

Southborough to consider regional public safety dispatch services (MA)

Southborough to consider regional public safety dispatch services (MA)

Post image for CA: Southborough to consider regional public safety dispatch services

Above: The Public Safety Building completed in 2019 combines a dispatch center for Southborough Police and Fire. Now, the Town is researching if working with other MetroWest towns on a regional dispatch center outside of the building makes fiscal sense. (image cropped from Southborough Access Media video)

For a couple of years, Southborough selectmen have discussed the potential for regionalizing the police and fire dispatch center. In the past, the possibility appeared to be remote. According to the Community Advocate’s coverage, it’s now getting a more serious look thanks to looming expenses and state funding priorities..

911 Operators Did Not Dispatch Police to Gas Station Where Employee Feared Explosion From Protesters Throwing Fireworks (OR)

Portland’s Bureau of Emergency Communications, which fields 911 calls for the city, did not dispatch police when a Chevron gas station employee called to report a potential explosion hazard as dueling protesters threw fireworks near the gas pumps during a street battle.

WW had requested the 911 call audio from BOEC after learning from another Chevron employee who works inside the adjoining ExtraMile convenience store that her co-worker had called police Aug. 22 when a skirmish between anti-fascists and their right-wing adversaries spilled out onto Northeast 122nd Avenue and surrounding businesses…