Fort Scott/Bourbon County’s Dispatch Moved For Security, Space Issues (KS)

Fort Scott/Bourbon County’s Dispatch Moved For Security, Space Issues (KS)

The Fort Scott/Bourbon County Dispatch office is now located in the old jail facility on 207 S. Judson. Submitted photos.

Those who answer emergency calls for the Bourbon County community have been moved to a more secure and bigger space from the Hawkins Public Safety facility at 1604 South National Avenue.

“We answer all incoming 911 emergency calls and dispatch the appropriate agencies such as police, deputies, fire, and Emergency Medical Services,” Traci Reed,  communications manager, said. Reed has been in this position for ten years and in the dispatch department for 14 years.

“We also answer all calls that require calls for service for the community,” she said…

Augmented Reality Interface for Public Safety Operations | NIST

 

In April 2021, BadVR was awarded $1.1M for the Public Safety Innovation Accelerator Program: Augmented Reality (AR) cooperative agreement.

As data grows dramatically in scale and complexity, existing analysis tools struggle to keep up. Within the public safety sector, the stakes are raised as people’s lives and livelihoods are at risk. Real-time information from traffic cameras, IoT sensor networks, and even health monitors can influence life-or-death decisions during emergency response.  When that data is overwhelming or confusing, it impedes the effectiveness of this response and disrupts situational awareness. Fortunately, AR offers a new opportunity for much-needed innovation in analytics and visualization that hopes to make an immediate and significant impact on first responder operations and communications…

Durant communications, Bryan County 911 dispatch CAD system upgrade goes live (TX)

Durant communications, Bryan County 911 dispatch CAD system upgrade goes live (TX)

The new system in place will allow first responder to have enhanced situational awareness when responding to 9-1-1 calls.

Durant Communications and Bryan County 9-1-1 Dispatchers will begin using an upgraded Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system during calls this month.

911 Dispatchers completed training last month and say the new system makes getting help to residents faster and more simple.

“The new CAD software upgrade interface is more user-friendly and 9-1-1 Dispatchers now have quicker access to critical data,” Durant’s IT Director Brenton Rucker said in a news release.

All the information needed to send assistance is now on just one monitor…

Emergency Dispatch Union Contract Approved (CT)

Emergency Dispatch Union Contract Approved (CT)

The Board of Selectman at a July 19 meeting unanimously approved the dispatch union contract, representing Newtown employees and Nutmeg Independent Public Safety employees.

According to First Selectman Dan Rosenthal, the negotiations with the union were “amicable” and were able to be conducted informally.

“The cost of negotiations goes up if you involve a lot of lawyers,” said Rosenthal. “I think it’s a better process.”…

Utah 911 calls make big jump during wildfire smoke invasion

Utah 911 calls make big jump during wildfire smoke invasion

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah emergency dispatch centers were inundated with phone calls to 911 when a massive wave of wildfire smoke crept into the northern part of the state Friday.

As the smoke moved in with shocking speed, along with the unmistakable smell of fire, a large portion of Uthans believed fires were raging nearby and wanted to alert emergency responders.

The Utah County Sheriff’s Office received a large number of calls from concerned residents. Dispatchers referred callers to media and weather reports that explained that the smoke was coming from out-of-state wildfires…

Grapevine Police offering bonus to aid in 911 dispatcher shortage (TX)

Grapevine Police offering bonus to aid in 911 dispatcher shortage (TX)

The Grapevine Police Department is dealing with a major shortage of 911 dispatchers and is hoping a signing bonus will help.

Grapevine Police are offering a $1,200 bonus for newly-hired dispatchers — $600 upon hire, $300 upon completion of the probationary period, and another $300 on the one-year anniversary.

Amanda McNew with Grapevine Police says they’re looking for people who are strong multitaskers.

Like all other police departments throughout North Texas and across the country, Grapevine is experiencing a critical shortage of 911 call-takers. McNew says while that is not leading to 911 calls going unanswered, they are having to use police officers and firefighters to answer the phones…