Clarion Co. adopts new ordinance for communication towers (PA)

CLARION – New regulations are now in place for all communication towers in Clarion County.At their April 27 meeting, Clarion County Commissioners Ted Tharan, Wayne Brosius and Ed Heasley unanimously approved Ordinance No. 1 of 2021 — an amendment to the 2017 Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance — which now ensures that the county has “co-location opportunities as a community benefit to improve communications for county departments and the Department of Public Safety.”“We don’t know what we’re going to need in 20 years,” Tharan said, pointing to the need for the ordinance, explaining that the new regulation mandates that all current and future tower owners reserve a spot on their towers for county satellites, microwaves or other communication equipment if needed.Tharan said the new clause in the amended ordinance allows the county to have access to space on communication towers without having to rent it…

Minister Bush tours Department of Public Safety Communications (Cayman Islands)

Minister Bush tours Department of Public Safety Communications (Cayman Islands)

Minister for Home Affairs, Youth, Sport, Culture and Heritage (HEYSC&H), Hon. Bernie Bush; and Parliamentary Secretary (Home Affairs), Mr Isaac Rankine, took their first departmental familiarisation tour on Monday May 3 2021 when they toured the Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC).

The government officials were accompanied by HEYSC&H Chief Officer, Ms Teresa Echenique, Deputy Chief Officer for Home Affairs, Ms Kathryn Dinspel-Powell, Acting Deputy Chief Officer Melissa Whorms, the Department’s Director, Mr. Julian Lewis and Assistant Director, Mr. Sean Vasquez…

State looking at future of 911 (IL)

Emergency services could get a boost after a major communications company was told it will receive a grant to help establish an enhanced 911 network.

AT&T will receive a grant that would allow it to create an internet-based network that would be more reliable and provide greater accuracy in assigning calls to the appropriate agency, Illinois State Police director Brendan Kelly and statewide 911 administrator Cindy Barbera-Brelle announced… READ MORE

Meigs County dispatcher provides CPR over the phone, helps save a man’s life (TN)

Meigs County dispatcher provides CPR over the phone, helps save a man’s life (TN)

New legislation required dispatchers across Tennessee to learn a new skill this year: giving CPR instruction over the phone. Within just a month of learning this, that skill was put to good use this past week in Meigs County. 

“It’s a high-stress situation, so there’s a lot to forget,” said Meigs County Dispatch Center Director Stephanie Wright. “Having a dispatcher on the phone actually guiding you step-by-step can be comforting for the caller.”
Meigs County Sheriff Jackie Melton said when it typically comes to calls like these, getting help to someone can take time…
Residents say staffing issues within public safety agencies are causing lives to be lost (MD)

Residents say staffing issues within public safety agencies are causing lives to be lost (MD)

BALTIMORE, MD (WEAA) — Residents are blaming staffing shortages within the police and fire department for lives being lost in Baltimore City.

On Sunday, multiple people were shot at Carroll Park in south Baltimore, one person was killed.

The Baltimore Firefighter’s Union says during the shooting, there weren’t enough emergency units to send to the scene.  Baltimore City Fire Chief Niles Ford addressed the allegation saying, emergency responders arrived to the scene within minutes and did an outstanding job rendering care to the victims…

APCO International Announces 2021 Award Winners

Alexandria, VA – The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International is pleased to announce the winners of the 2021 Public Safety Communications Awards and Technology Leadership Awards. The winners will be recognized, along with last year’s winners, during the Opening General Session at APCO 2021, APCO’s Annual Conference & Expo, taking place August 15-18 in San Antonio, Texas.

The award recipients demonstrated the highest levels of professional conduct and outstanding performance in the line of duty. This year, APCO received 175 nominations from across the country. The award winner of each category is…