By Randy Kerr, Situational Awareness Roadmap Domain Lead, First Responder Network Authority
As the only nationwide broadband network dedicated to public safety, FirstNet gives first responders access to unique features such as priority, preemption, and quality of service. Primary users on FirstNet – including those working in law enforcement, the fire service, emergency medical services, emergency communications, and emergency management – have priority and preemption access to the network, even in times of extreme congestion. These features are always on and do not require any action from public safety, which allows them to stay focused on the mission at hand. READ FULL ARTICLE
LAKEWOOD, Colo. (KDVR) — Bouquets of blooming flowers and messages of support line the counter at Jeffcom 911, the dispatch center that handled last Monday’s radio traffic during a deadly officer-involved shooting in Arvada.
The U.S. Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) awarded $2,988,950 in a new round of funding for new interoperable communication systems for public safety. Initially funded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), through its Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) program, Catalyst Communications Technologies of Forest, Virginia, was provided this Phase III SBIR award for commercialization of its interoperable communications solution.
S&T previously provided Phase I and Phase II SBIR funding to Catalyst to develop interworking solutions for land mobile radio (LMR) and long-term evolution (LTE) communication systems for public safety. Catalyst established a roadmap for effective interworking during Phase I and is just now concluding Phase II work building prototypes for a variety of LMR systems and a public safety-grade dispatch console that seamlessly supports both LMR and LTE…
A concerned child couldn’t figure out how to solve their math homework, so they called the first person they could think of for help — 911!
In this audio-only video, posted by TikTok account 911 Calls (@911_stories_), a 911 dispatcher answered the phone, saying, “911, what’s your emergency?” A young child responded, “Yeah I need some help.” A situation was certainly under way!
The dispatcher asked “What’s the matter?”
The young student, determined to get some answers, replied, “With my math! I have… takeaways.”
The dispatcher was more than willing to help with the child’s subtraction problem. He responded kindly, “Oh you gotta do the takeaways? Alright, what’s the problem?” …
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Crook County 911 is implementing a new emergency medical response system this week, designed to improve response times and first responder efficiency.
The dispatch center provides communication service to the Prineville Police Department, the Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Crook County Fire and Rescue, and the U.S. Forest Service.
Rebekah Burkhardt, 911 communications director, said the new dispatch software guides emergency dispatchers seamlessly through the process of gathering essential information, resulting in faster response times…
There are times when clear, effective communication can make the difference between life and possible disaster.
Such was the case during a steady afternoon shift on May 27 when Tim Johns, a dispatcher for the Mentor Safety Forces Communications Unit, received a call from a frantic mother whose infant son had stopped breathing.
Seconds after receiving the emergency call at approximately 8:25 p.m. Johns’ extensive professional training and skills kicked into high gear.
As soon as he collected the necessary information, dispatched first responders and alerted fellow staffers to contact related safety forces, Johns directed the worried woman on how to administer CPR and chest compressions.
“The mom was frantic but she did a great job…,” he recalled. “When I gave her the instructions to give mouth-to-mouth I could hear the breaths going in…she was counting with me. I knew right away that she was following the directives. She was definitely engaged.”
Welcome news arrived about three minutes into the call and a minute prior to the arrival of first responders when the mother informed Johns she had observed her son move.
Further evidence that the child was rallying came while the dispatcher was in radio contact with medical personnel en route to the hospital and he heard an update that the child was crying.
Afterward, relieved that the outcome of the stressful situation appeared to be positive, Johns allowed himself to take a few deep breaths and down a bottle of Gatorade.
“That call will be with me forever,” he said while reflecting on the incident.
As the father of three children ages 7, 5 and 18 months, Johns said that hugging them the following morning was a little more special.
Mentor Fire Chief Robert Searles recently recognized Johns for his outstanding effort with a letter of commendation. Mentor Police Captain James Valley added further reflection in an email.
“The two most important things that should happen in this situation were that first responders were dispatched quickly and life-saving instructions are clearly communicated to the caller to provide CPR,” Valley said. “Through Tim’s actions and teamwork, he accomplished both very well. Tim’s ability to maintain his composure under stress, think and act quickly, and communicate clearly was exceptional.”
Although the gamut of calls to the communications unit can extend from a lost dog to life and death situations dispatchers must be prepared for every scenario at all times.
“It could be completely quiet at the dispatch center and then a ladder could fall onto the freeway. It could get very busy, very fast…anything could happen at the drop of a dime,” Johns said, adding that “I do like to remain calm under pressure. That’s the one thing when I tried dispatching I knew I would be good at.”
Coupled with the Mentor resident’s unflappable demeanor is his desire to assist others.
Part of John’s off-duty time is spent doing volunteer work at St. John Vianney Church in Mentor, where his uncle the Rev. Tom Johns serves as pastor.
Johns said the work of the communications unit is largely a team effort and that he’s appreciative of his fellow workers’ assistance.
“We’re all trained the same and we’re all able to handle situations,” he said, adding that “(dispatching) is definitely a rewarding job…being able to help and support people is a very important thing for me.”
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.
