I-TEAM: Investigating Augusta EMS ambulance response times (GA)

I-TEAM: Investigating Augusta EMS ambulance response times (GA)

by | May 14, 2021 | Comm Center News

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta commissioners say they’re looking into complaints about delays in ambulances. Complaints that came out a month after Gold Cross sent the city a proposed contract which includes a need for more money.

I-Team’s Liz Owens investigates: Is the problem with Gold Cross or in city chambers?

“This is the second time this has happened, and I done went to the commission with this has to stop a whole hour to pick up somebody,” said a caller.

The caller’s frustration spills over in a letter she wrote to commissioners the next day.

The clerk read the letter to commissioners. The letter said, “I thought when you called 911 you were calling for emergencies and could get help in an urgent fashion” and “I am upset that it took an ambulance longer to get to my father’s home than food delivery…

Chagrin Valley dispatcher helps save life of woman who wasn’t breathing (OH)

by | May 14, 2021 | Comm Center News

BEDFORD, Ohio (WOIO) – A local woman will live another day thanks to a Chagrin Valley dispatcher.

Dispatcher Hayley of Chagrin Valley Dispatch was hailed a “life saver” after she helped a woman who could not breathe.

She caught the call on Thursday morning, according to a Facebook post. A family member told 911 their female relative was found not breathing while in the shower.

Dispatcher Hayley coached the family member through 11 rounds of CPR, according to Chagrin Valley Dispatch…

California city combines advanced technology with dedicated public safety team for comprehensive emergency management

by | May 14, 2021 | Articles, Comm Center News

The highly unusual circumstances of the past year have provided many new lessons for political leaders and emergency managers. The overarching lesson is that the unexpected can happen at any time and local, regional and national government must be prepared to respond rapidly in a collaborative manner with the private sector and residents.

Comprehensive emergency management must involve not only timely, effective responses, but also detailed and actionable communication, which includes life-safety information. State-of-the-art technology is playing a critical role in the U.S. and abroad, making it easier for multiple agencies and emergency personnel to work together to respond to and manage dangerous natural disasters, including wildfires, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, extreme weather and other critical events…

Emergency Connectivity across the Coffs region expands with three new Public Safety Network sites (Australia)

Emergency Connectivity across the Coffs region expands with three new Public Safety Network sites (Australia)

by | May 14, 2021 | Comm Center News

Orara Rural Fire Service will benefit from the new Public Safety Network Sites.

THE PUBLIC Safety Network (PSN), formerly known as The Government Radio Network, has been expanded across the Coffs Coast with three new sites at Upper Orara, Korora and Mt Coramba.

Next to Australia’s triple zero emergency hotline, the PSN is the most critical communications network in NSW.

For residents of these regions it means faster and more effective reporting and response to emergency services.

The main aim of the PSN is to consolidate all emergency resources into one network, ensuring greater coverage and reliability than if each department had its own independent communication system.

Tom Reeve, Captain at Orara Rural Fire Service told News Of The Area, “It’s absolutely brilliant, and about time because it allows us to talk with the other emergency services…

Lyon County Commission approves WiFi upgrade, ew starting wage for emergency dispatchers (KS)

by | May 14, 2021 | Comm Center News

All Lyon County facilities will get improved wireless Internet capacity after Thursday’s County Commission action meeting.

Separately, commissioners approved a new starting wage for emergency dispatchers. The Emergency Communications Center has been using a training wage of $15.40 an hour, with an increase to $16.90 after dispatchers exit training. After a request from department director Roxanne Van Gundy, commissioners agreed to start dispatchers at $16.90 even if they are in the training window. Van Gundy says the money is already budgeted, so there will be no additional impact in that regard. The move is a step to attract and retain dispatchers and comes as numerous emergency departments are struggling to keep their dispatchers on board…

York County Commissioners implementing Next Generation 911 with help of PEMA (PA)

by | May 14, 2021 | Comm Center News

YORK, Pa. (WHTM) — The York County Commissioners on Wednesday approved an agreement with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to provide support in implementing Next Generation 911 services.

Next Generation 911 will transition Pennsylvania’s current 911 infrastructure to an internet protocol-based system. The process is expected to take a year before the first region in PA is activated on the Next Generation service.

Some of the improvements that come with NG911 include:

  • Receive incoming calls faster with more accurate caller information.
  • Transfer 911 calls and call information to the correct jurisdiction.
  • Rely on modern Geographic Information System or GIS technology to locate a caller’s location.
  • Securely receive other communications like text messages, photos, and videos… READ MORE