More Oklahoma 911 call takers need training to give CPR over the phone, American Heart Association says

ROGERS COUNTY, Okla. — The American Heart Association is pushing for more 911 call takers in Oklahoma to be trained in Telecommunicator CPR, a technique that walks you through performing CPR over the phone in case of an emergency.

Rogers County call taker Jennifer Holden has used T-CPR a handful of times in less than two years on the job.

She received training about a year ago and says it allows her to walk whoever is on the other line through CPR even if they’ve never been trained… READ MORE

Network aids Ellis tornado response (TX)

Network aids Ellis tornado response (TX)

Ellis County's new communications tower was crucial in coordinating emergency responses after the May 3 EF-2 tornado that hit the county.

Following a tornado that touched down near Forreston on May 3, Ellis County’s emergency services led a coordinated and efficient response, thanks to a newly-integrated public safety communications network. By investing in a new communications tower, a new dispatch system, and improved mobile radios, the county enabled various volunteer, municipal, and county-level emergency service organizations to communicate with one another in real-time for a unified response operation.

The new network, which first went live less than two weeks before the tornado, quickly proved its worth in emergency situations. For the first time in Ellis County, first responders from multiple agencies communicated directly with one another via a county-wide network rather than waiting for messages to be relayed across different sub-channels and uncoordinated radio towers. The potential for miscommunication and delay of vital information was greatly diminished, and the task-delegation process for emergency services was streamlined…

Dispatchers say St. Louis 911 system still bogged down, worsened by new program (MO)

ST. LOUIS (KMOV.com) — 911 calls are still being put on hold in the City of St. Louis, months after News 4 Investigates exposed the problem. Dispatchers are telling News 4 a program meant to help people is actually slowing down the system even more.

Maureen Ramsey has worked for St. Louis’ 911 system for 44 years. She said handling calls for homicides, assaults, crimes against kids is all just a part of her job. But what stresses her out are the calls put on hold.

“It’s the six-year-old getting shot that the phone is not getting answered because they are all on other calls, that scares the hell out of me,” Ramsey said… READ MORE

Emergency dispatch center for five Summit County communities opens in Green (OH)

Emergency dispatch center for five Summit County communities opens in Green (OH)

A dispatcher operates a computer at the South Summit Council of Governments dispatch center at Fire Station No. 1 in Green. The center began operations Tuesday.

A new police, fire and emergency medical services dispatch center covering about 10% of Summit County residents began operating Tuesday at Fire Station No. 1 on Massillon Road in Green.

The center covers dispatch services for Green, New Franklin, Coventry Township, Lakemore and Clinton.

The South Summit Council of Governments, an entity formed by Green and New Franklin, will oversee the operation, which has 18 full-and part-time dispatchers. The center is managed by former Barberton Fire Chief Kim Baldwin…

Fairley students recognize 911 dispatchers (NY)

In recognition of National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, Fairley Elementary students recently found creative ways to express their gratitude to employees in that field.

Students used their ELA skills and artistic abilities to create dozens of cards for dispatchers at the Oswego and Cayuga County E911 centers. The initiative was spearheaded by the pre-kindergarten classes and became a schoolwide effort after students learned about some of the duties associated with being a dispatcher…

Melissa Alterio hired as new Cobb County 911 emergency communications director (NY)

Melissa Alterio hired as new Cobb County 911 emergency communications director (NY)

Melissa Alterio was approved as the new Cobb County 911 Emergency Communications Department director, in a unanimous vote of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners Tuesday.

Alterio comes to her position after heading the Roswell 911 center for five years, and served as the training director for the Orange County Department of Emergency Services in Goshen, NY.

“Ms. Alterio brings to Cobb County’s Emergency Communications Department a wealth of valuable experience, knowledge and passion for helping others,” Cobb County Manager Dr. Jackie R. McMorris said for the news release…