by AllThingsECC.com | Aug 19, 2021 | Articles, Comm Center News
APCO 2021
The APCO 2021 conference is taking place in San Antonio this week. Many attendees come from the public-safety community or are involved in some way with public-safety communications. Many others are the people who make up public safety’s front-line, handling incoming calls from citizens and dispatching public-safety resources to a multiplicity of incidents around the United States. Once again, APCO has devoted an entire conference track to FirstNet.
FirstNet Authority RFI
According to an article in Urgent Communications, the FirstNet Authority has issued a Request For Information (RFI) concerning off-network communications, primarily Push-To-Talk (PTT) voice communications. As many readers know, I have been skeptical about the section of the 3GPP Mission-Critical Push-To-Talk (MCPTT) standard that attempts to address off-network broadband communications. Samsung’s MCPTT solution includes Proximity Services (ProSe) embedded in its chip. Motorola recently announced it will also offer 3GPP-compliant MCPTT capabilities later this year but these products will not include ProSe…
by ECC Editor | Aug 19, 2021 | Comm Center News
The Jefferson City/Cole County 911 Communications Center can now receive 9-1-1 correspondence via text messaging.
Text messaging is not intended to replace placing voice calls to 9-1-1 when someone is able to do so. Texting should only be used when you are unable to make a voice call.
To text 9-1-1 during an emergency:
– Enter the numbers “911” in the “To” field.
– The first text message to 9-1-1 should be brief and contain the location of the emergency and type of help needed… READ MORE
by ECC Editor | Aug 19, 2021 | Comm Center News, Jobs
MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. — Covering every shift is becoming more and more difficult at Muskegon Central Dispatch, but executive director Jason Wolford says it’s happening due to the extreme dedication of 911 telecommunicators.
“Individuals that step up and fill those open shifts,” said Wolford.
Muskegon County Central Dispatch 911 hopes to ease the stress on existing staff with the posting of six positions. The deadline to apply for the full-time and part-time openings for telecommunicators is Sept. 7... READ MORE
by ECC Editor | Aug 18, 2021 | Comm Center News
AVON – A police dispatcher who, over the phone, helped a mother save her infant from choking was recognized for her work and got to meet the family.
Dispatcher Alison Ning was recognized at Thursday’s board of selectmen meeting for her work responding to a July child-in-distress call. Police Chief Jeffrey Bukunt presented her with a commendation.
“Dispatcher Ning showed calm and steady resolve, aptitude and skill during this highly stressful call, and her actions likely prevented a tragedy,” Bukunt said in a statement… READ MORE
by AllThingsECC.com | Aug 18, 2021 | Comm Center News
Four Downriver communities will divvy up more than $700,000 in state grants to repair, replace and upgrade equipment and services.
Among the four Downriver communities, Allen Park received the largest grant — $200,000 — to swap copper for lead in connecting a water main to a home or business. Tom Murray, the city’s director of public services, said the effort is part of an initiative to enhance city water service infrastructure.
Mayor Michael Bowdler said a grant for $198,151 will be used to “significantly” improve technology for the city’s public safety department…
by AllThingsECC.com | Aug 18, 2021 | Comm Center News
If you haven’t already, odds are good you’ll have to dial 911 at some point. Whether it’s an emergency happening to you or someone else, the voice on the other end offers a sense of calm in a storm when it’s needed most.
It’s a fast-paced career, but public safety dispatchers say there’s no job that compares. They’re the first line of defense because they are notified first when an emergency occurs. While calming frantic callers, they simultaneously communicate with the responding agency.
Dispatchers are key members of an efficient, well-trained team of public safety professionals. One of those members is Florence Prickett, a dispatcher and 12-year veteran of Huntsville Fire & Rescue…
