County considers upgrading radio dispatch equipment
Tennessee board reports Nashville bombing impact on 911, future plans
In the wake of the Nashville bombing that create extended outages for 66 public-safety answering points (PSAPs) AT&T has committed to improving its network resiliency, communications with 911 centers, and its backup-power capabilities, according to a report to the Tennessee Emergency Communications Board (TECB).
TECB Vice Chairman Steve Martini presented key findings of the report to the board during its May 5 meeting, although “sensitive” network-security information was not shared publicly. Based on five meetings with AT&T officials between April 6 and May 3, Martini said that the main cause of the 911 outages stemmed from the fact that the AT&T personnel were not allowed to provide supplemental power sources to the key network in a timely manner after the bomb detonation resulted in the failure of the commercial power grid in the area…
House OKs Ackerman legislation that would require 911 system to have over-the-phone CPR operators on staff (RI)
STATE HOUSE — The House of Representatives today approved legislation introduced by Rep. Mia Ackerman (D-Dist. 45, Cumberland, Lincoln) that would improve over-the-phone CPR instructions by requiring the 911 system to certify and staff individuals trained in telecommunicator CPR.
The legislation (2021-H 5629) would establish an emergency telephone system call review and quality improvement, and would require all 911 system operators to be trained in telecommunicator cardiopulmonary resuscitation… READ MORE
Shrewsbury asks to share Worcester’s public safety radio frequencies (MA)
A radio site will be built at the fire station on Centech Boulevard as part of the project.
By Laura Hayes, Contributing Writer
SHREWSBURY — Shrewsbury is interested in using Worcester’s public safety radio frequency.
Trying to make that possible, Shrewsbury firefighter and lead technical support on public safety radios Joseph Milosz presented an intermunicipal agreement between the town and Worcester during the May 11 Board of Selectmen meeting, which was unanimously approved.
“Part of the challenge of the radio world unfortunately right now is frequencies are very regulated by the FCC [Federal Communications Commission],” Milosz said…
Between cellphones and 5G rollout, it’s not easy to get a new radio frequency, he said.
“The best way to go forward was to take and add on to the City of Worcester’s system,” Mizlosz explained. “…It’s using what’s already built into the city, which is new.”
Raleigh-Wake 911 Answers Nearly 1,900 Calls A Month From Durham As The City Faces A Shortage Of Operators (NC)
DURHAM, NC (WNCN) – In some shifts, the Durham 911 call center has only two operators taking 911 calls, according to a Durham 911 dispatcher.
In a city where an average of two shooting incidents a day, a 911 operator told CBS 17 in an interview on Wednesday that it was frustrating and worrying.
“The stress level and the lack of free time, the lack of time to decompress means more errors, more errors,” said the anonymous 911 dispatcher…
Ventura County first responders now able to receive 9-1-1 text messages (CA)
VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. – First responder agencies throughout Ventura County are now able to receive 911 text messages in the event of an emergency. The purpose of this function is to allow hearing and speech-impaired members of the community, as well as those in a situation where it is too dangerous to call 911, to contact emergency personnel for help.
Those situations include when a crime is in progress, the caller is facing domestic abuse, the caller is injured and cannot speak or hear, as well as other scenarios.
This change is effective immediately. Both Ventura County law enforcement and fire agencies are now equipped to receive and respond to 911 text messages… READ MORE
