RICHMOND (August 5, 2021)—The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) announced the 30 recipients of the 2021 Achievement Awards, which recognize excellence in local government programs. VACo received 102 submissions.
Winning entries focused on addressing issues of inclusion, belonging, and reconciliation that challenge counties today.
“I want to thank all who participated in the 19th year of the Achievement Awards,” VACo Executive Director Dean Lynch said. “Our counties face challenges every day, and those challenges are written in these program submissions. What’s also written are the innovative solutions that overcome these obstacles to make life better for communities across the Commonwealth. We celebrate these victories with all who participated.” …READ MORE
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…
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 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…
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.”…
Learn about current efforts to continue to protect the 4.9 GHz Band for public safety as well as recent filings, key decisions impacting these efforts, and how you can support PSSA’s initiative to protect the 4.9 GHz band for public safety.
