by ECC Editor | Feb 9, 2021 | Comm Center News
SALT LAKE CITY — One Utah lawmaker wants to provide first responder agencies throughout the state with $1 million to develop or enhance their mental health resources.
The Salt Lake Valley has experienced five suicides of first responders due to the stress they took on in their jobs — three firefighters, one police officer and one dispatcher, said Layne Hilton, behavioral health and wellness officer for Unified Fire Authority, adding that they all came from areas with inadequate support for mental health programs… READ MORE
by AllThingsECC.com | Feb 9, 2021 | Comm Center News
MUNCIE, Ind. — Delaware County dispatch is having trouble keeping staff to answer the county’s 911 service calls, a problem that doesn’t seem to have an easy solution.
During the January meeting of the Delaware County Council, Paul Singleton, director of 911 dispatch, talked to officials about issues with employee retention and recruitment…
by AllThingsECC.com | Feb 9, 2021 | Comm Center News
AUSTIN, TX — In the latest example of a new city function created with funds reallocated from the police budget, Austin 911 operators have begun testing a fourth triage option for mental health services as part of their script.
“Austin 9-1-1, do you need police, fire, EMS, or mental health services?” callers now hear when making an emergency call. Austin is believed to be the first city in the U.S. to offer the option, an added service that is an offshoot of continual reform on the local police department after officers’ reactions to protesters in May and June of last year when some demonstrators were seriously hurt by non-lethal projectiles fired into crowds of protesters.
by ECC Editor | Feb 9, 2021 | Comm Center News
HILO, Hawaii (KHON2) — UPDATE: 02/08 11:33 a.m.: Electrical issues affecting the Hawaii Island Police Department’s communications center has been resolved, says HPD.
Hawaii Island police (HPD) are reporting electrical issues with its communications center resulting in limited phone services. HPD says they are still able to answer calls and provide service, but advise the public to anticipate slight delays… READ MORE
by AllThingsECC.com | Feb 9, 2021 | Comm Center News
DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — In an emergency, seconds matter and that’s why CBS 17 has continued to closely follow the COVID-19 outbreak at the Durham 911 call center.
The call takers and dispatchers are required to quickly process the information they’re given by the public and relay it to first responders.
Since December, CBS 17 has been looking into the Durham 911 call center. Director of the center, Randy Beeman, said a COVID-19 outbreak created staffing shortages…
by AllThingsECC.com | Feb 8, 2021 | Comm Center News
SANDERSVILLE, Ga. — A Washington County 911 dispatcher was on duty earlier this week when she got a call about a house fire at her house. Alicia Napier has been a Washington County dispatcher for about 20 years, the same amount of time she’s lived on Anderson Drive in Sandersville. Napier said she received the emergency call on Monday around 3 p.m. from her 21-year-old son, who had been napping at home…
