“Call when you can, text when you can’t” (AL)

You can now ask for help without saying a word.

The Baldwin County 9-1-1 system can now receive both calls and texts from residents who need assistance.

Over the last several years the Alabama Next Generation Project (ANGEN) established an internet protocol network that allows emergency texts to be properly delivered to the correct 9-1-1 call center. Those emergency calls are transmitted using Texty, a platform that helps deliver those texts… READ MORE

Gov. Eric Holcomb signs ‘Safe Haven 911’ into law (IN)

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind (WEHT) – Governor Eric Holcomb has signed House Bill 1230 into law. The law allows parents with extenuating circumstances to call 9-1-1 to give up custody of their child.

Under Indiana’s Safe Haven law, a parent can anonymously give up an unwanted baby under 30 days old with an emergency medical professional or at a safe haven baby box… READ MORE

911 radio system needs upgrades, but conditions not optimal — yet (NE)

Upgrading the county’s communications system will be costly — currently estimated at $7.2 million — but will need to be done in the near future. A lot of work appears to remain to be done to get all entities receiving services through the Scotts Bluff County Communications Center to happen before that is possible, according to discussion at a meeting Monday… READ MORE

Exclusive: Tearful reunion between FedEx employee and Marion County 911 dispatcher who stayed on the phone throughout mass shooting (IN)

Exclusive: Tearful reunion between FedEx employee and Marion County 911 dispatcher who stayed on the phone throughout mass shooting (IN)

Cover picture for the article

INDIANAPOLIS — A Marion County 911 dispatcher, several months into the job, answered the call to help keep a FedEx employee safe during the mayhem of the mass shooting at the facility on April 15.

The employee, Amber Casares, reached out to FOX59 to ask for assistance to meet the dispatcher, Angela Marriner. Eight days after the shooting, as Angela began her shift at the Marion County 911 Center, the two finally met in person…   fox59.com

Flagler’s McKenzie Davis named 2020 Florida State Elks Associations Law Enforcement Support Employee of the Year (FL)

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office announced that Flagler County Dispatcher McKenzie Davis has been selected as the 2020 Florida State Elks Associations Law Enforcement Support Employee of the Year.

Davis began her career at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office in 2018 at only 19 years old. She was nominated for the award by her supervisor and Sheriff Staly for the incredible work she did as a dispatcher in 2020, including saving the lives of four Flagler County residents, two in the same day… READ MORE 

How Austin has spent millions of ‘reimagined’ police funds so far (TX)

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Last August, Austin City Council voted to immediately cut $20 million from the police department budget and begin a year-long process of transitioning $130 million in services away from police oversight.

The city council already took steps to remove the emergency communications center and DNA crime lab from police control at a combined $29 million. Emergency services received $4 million to pay for new ambulances and staff… READ MORE