Shelby County Fire dispatchers get training to handle pandemic-related mental health calls (TN)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Dispatchers with the Shelby County Fire Department have received additional training to deal with the mental health issues brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Shelby County Fire Department said this week 16 dispatchers received nationally recognized training to handle a wide variety of mental health, behavioral emergency, and suicide calls…

Springfield Consolidates Police, Fire Dispatching (MA)

  The largest city in western Massachusetts has finished a project to improve its response to emergencies.

   A new consolidated centralized 911 dispatch center has become operational for the Springfield Police and Fire Departments.

    The opening of the facility, which has the latest emergency communications equipment, is a great step for the city of Springfield, said Fire Commissioner Bernard Calvi… READ MORE

Critical Mistakes: She called 911. Warrensville Heights firefighters responded to the wrong house (OH)

WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, Ohio — After Betty Morrison, 71, called 911, she waited nearly 11 minutes for help to arrive at her door. By the time Warrensville Heights firefighters arrived, she had no pulse.

Dispatch recordings revealed firefighters responded to the wrong house.

Even more troubling, a Cuyahoga Co. Sheriff’s Office investigation found the incident wasn’t the first time Warrensville Heights emergency workers made this type of critical mistake… READ MORE

Albany 911 Call Center Faces Unprecedented Staff Shortages (NY)

Union members who represent Albany’s 911 dispatchers are sounding the alarm for help with unprecedented staff shortages.

When we dial 911, we want and expect a competent person to answer the phone and dispatch help to us when we need it.

Bill LeBeau, the Staff Director for Albany dispatchers’ Union Council 82, says that he is begging for help.  He says that 911 employees are struggling with long hours and extreme staff shortages…