Congress repeals T-Band auction as part of massive funding bill with COVID-19 relief

Public-safety and business-industrial licensees with LMR systems on T-Band spectrum would be able to continue operating those networks, thanks to a scheduled auction of the airwaves being repealed as part of the massive federal funding legislation passed yesterday by Congress.

This reported $1.4 trillion funding measure, along with a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package, has been sent to President Donald Trump to sign into law. If Trump decides to veto the legislation, both the House and Senate appear to have the votes necessary to override a veto…

You can now text 911 in New Orleans when having an emergency, city officials say (LA)

New Orleans residents and visitors having emergencies can now talk to first responders by video when they call or text 911, thanks to a program city officials say will be a big help for people in crisis.

The Orleans Parish Communications District, which handles the city’s emergency dispatches and 911 calls, will also be able to better determine a person’s location using upgraded software from its private partner, Carbyne, a call handling platform…

NSW Telco Authority Launches Ten-Year Future-proof Operational Communications Plan for the Emergency Services

NSW Telco Authority Managing Director Kylie De Courteney said the Operational Communications Strategy 2020 (OCS 2020) is a blueprint for delivering data-enabled services to improve on-the-ground coordination and decision-making during emergencies when every second counts.

“Through the Government’s $600 million investment the Critical Communications Enhancement Program, we are building a single, interoperable Public Safety Network (PSN) to deliver statewide, mission-critical standard voice and narrowband data services”…

911 dispatchers help carry the weight of St. Joseph (MO)

About 75 times a day, Rochelle Esparza will answer the phone with the same response, “St. Joseph 911, where’s your emergency?”

Esparza has been a St. Joseph 911 dispatcher for 12 years, and each day is completely different than the last. As a dispatcher, Esparza, as well as three to four others, answer 911 calls and the non-emergency line for all of Buchanan County while monitoring their radio and communicating with the St. Joseph Police Department, Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office and the St. Joseph Fire Department… READ MORE