Public Safety Advocate: PSSA Thanks FCC Commissioners for Approving Stay of 4.9-GHz, More Work to Be Done

Last week, the Public Safety Spectrum Alliance (PSSA) issued a press release thanking the FCC Commissioners for their positive vote on the PSSA’s December 30, 2022 stay request. The Commission is currently made up of four Commissioners: Two Democrat Commissioners, Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, and two Republican Commissioners, Commissioners Brendan Carr and Nathan Simington. Chairwoman Rosenworcel and Commissioners Starks and Simington voted for the stay while Commissioner Carr maintained his original no vote but did indicate he was receptive to working with public safety on how to best use this spectrum.

Last year’s five-member FCC Commission voted three to two in favor of reallocating the 4.9-GHz spectrum, taking it from the public-safety community and awarding it to each state. That ruling would have permitted each state to execute a master lease with an organization that would then determine how the spectrum would be used in that state. There was some wording in the order that might have protected existing public-safety 4.9-GHz users, but it was unclear whether this would actually shelter them…

Maury County emergency responders earn Star of Life award

Maury County emergency responders earn Star of Life award

Maury County Emergency responders are recognized with the Star of Life Award for saving an injured motorcyclist on Hampshire Pike in April 2021. Those who responded to the scene were county emergency director Jeff Hardy, Maury County Sheriff Bucky Rowland, E-911 director Mark Gande, Crystal Whitaker, Kelly Walker and Tina Morton, along with county firefighters Bo Harden,  Aaron Blalock and Roy Runions. EMS responders Angie Thomason, Shelia Crabtree and Ryan Cothern also responded to the scene and were recognized with the award.

Members of Maury County’s emergency services have been recognized by a state-wide organization for saving the life of a motorcycle rider earlier this year.For their quick response and excellent work under extreme pressure, the team of local responders have received the prestigious Star of Life Award from the Children’s Emergency Care Alliance.

Members of the Maury County Sheriff’s Department, Maury County Fire, Maury Regional Emergency Medical Services and the county’s emergency dispatch service worked quickly as a unified team on April 2, 2020 to provide aid to a motorcycle rider, who had sustained serious injuries following an accident on Southpoint Ridge Road in rural community of Hampshire on the western edge of the county…ys off.”

Metro 911 dispatchers push technology and patience to combat overloading (TN)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The sound of gunfire outside of Bar Louie in the Gulch sent customers running and desperately calling for help. However, witnesses tell News 2 they had trouble getting connected to 911 dispatchers.

“It wouldn’t go through,” said Tim Davis, who was at the restaurant when the shooting occurred. “We had bars. We had Wi-Fi. All of that.”

News 2 inquired and found out a surge in 911 calls forced dispatch phone lines to back up… READ MORE

Letter sent to County Attorney claims dispatchers were negligent in teen’s death (VA)

The Office of the Loudoun County Attorney is expected to meet with the legal team representing the family of a Loudoun teen who drowned last year after receiving a letter detailing the family’s charges that the county bears responsibility for the June death.

Loudoun County Attorney Leo Rogers said on Monday he has contacted the family’s attorneys and told them he is available to meet to discuss the matter.

Fitz Alexander Campbell-Thomas drowned in the area of Confluence Park in the River Creek Community amid a delayed response by first responders and was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital…

Mutualink Brings Cutting-Edge Technology to Virginia’s First Smart City Deployment

Mutualink, Inc., in partnership with Stafford County and Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology ( CIT ), successfully deployed and is powering the state’s first Smart City deployment, the Virginia Smart Community Testbed. Mutualink’s secure, intelligent network is the digital backbone for Smart Cities connecting community partners, smart infrastructure, and sustainable IoT technologies in real-time so community leaders can work together to improve livability, workability and resilience…

Thousands of accidental 911 calls coming into Hancock County’s 911 center (IN)

Thousands of accidental 911 calls coming into Hancock County’s 911 center (IN)

HANCOCK COUNTY — “We get them once an hour or more,” said Greg Duda, 911 Dispatcher, and Hancock County 911 Public Information Officer.

Duda said the Hancock County 911 Center is on track to beat the 7,300 accidental calls they received in 2020. Since January 1, the center has received 3,450 accidental calls. Summer and fall are the busiest times for calls like these so experienced dispatchers in the facility expect it to be a record year.

The issue has a trickle-down effect. When dispatchers receive hang-up calls or no response on the other end of a call they must investigate and ensure the caller is okay. Dispatchers will call back and try to get a response or text the phone to confirm it was an accidental phone call…