County takes next step towards transitioning emergency communications (MI)

Converting the county’s emergency radio communications systems to the Michigan Public Safety Communication System is anticipated to cost millions of dollars, but is necessary to bring Hillsdale County online with interoperability with surrounding jurisdictions. 

Branch County is already in the process of transitioning to the 800 MHz band for emergency communications and should be online later this year. 

When that’s completed, Hillsdale County will officially “sit on an island” by continuing the use of older UHF or analog communications systems which do not work well in some portions of Hillsdale County… 

York County boosts 911 dispatchers pay; Severe need still exists (PA)

York County boosts 911 dispatchers pay; Severe need still exists (PA)

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Working behind the scenes, emergency dispatchers are the lifeline between the call for help and first responders answering the bell. But a serious shortage, across the state and country, is hampering hiring. York County hopes a boost in pay will help recruit the next wave of workers.

“Suspect is at the 30 bridge ready to jump,” said an emergency dispatcher answering a call in June.

A suicidal man in need of help was threatening his own life in Hellam Township, York County. His first call last month, York County 9-1-1… local21news.com

Mountain Brook City Council approves contract for E-911 services (AL)

Mountain Brook City Council approves contract for E-911 services (AL)

The Mountain Brook City Council, at its regular meeting for Monday, July 26, approved a contract with a provider of E-911 services for the city.

The three-year contract is between the Mountain Brook Emergency Communications District and the Shelby County Emergency Communications District.

Shelby E-911 will provide call answering and public safety dispatch services for Mountain Brook…

Watch now: Former Coles 911 vice chair critiques remote work agreement (IL)

MATTOON — The Coles-Moultrie County Emergency Telephone System Board’s former vice chairman has spoken out against a new contract that lets the system’s assistant director work remotely from Florida.

The board discussed the remote work agreement, which the system’s director authorized earlier this month, at its meeting Tuesday night and the board presented written notice that it does not want this contract extended past its Dec. 31 expiration.

The former vice chairman, Jason Taylor, served in the role for three years until stepping down when he retired as Mattoon Police Department’s chief in April, but he has still been monitoring 911 system developments…

Re-imagining public safety: Leaders discuss whether police should respond to mental health emergencies (WI)

MILWAUKEE — Re-imagining public safety was the goal of a panel discussion Friday with Milwaukee Acting Police Chief Jeffrey Norman, Milwaukee Alderwoman Chantia Lewis, and Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division Administrator Mike Lappen.

Among the questions: should Milwaukee police respond to all 911 calls? And, if Milwaukee police stop responding to certain non-emergency calls, who will?

There are various arguments in favor of sending a trained person or group to respond to 911 calls involving non-violent situations, or mental health emergencies, rather than an armed officer. But that will require some big changes…

Gillian pitches $42M public safety project for Ocean City (NJ)

OCEAN CITY — Mayor Jay Gillian acknowledges $42 million is a big number.

That’s the estimated price of a proposal to combine the city’s police and fire operations in a single building on West Avenue at Fifth Street.

In a recent interview, Gillian said the estimate covers everything — construction of a new building, demolition of the two existing headquarters, relocation of the city’s skate park, the costs to move in and more.

“That’s the complete, done-deal job,” Gillian said. The city can afford to do the work, and it needs to get done, Gillian said…