Spokane plans for fire-dispatch future without backup from new regional agency (WA)

The Spokane Regional Emergency Communications agency and the city of Spokane will not renew an agreement that provides the city’s fire dispatchers backup when they are short-staffed.

Instead, the city will look to buttress its own staffing to avoid dipping below the minimum allowed levels during normal shifts.

“We do have a plan for continuity of service with that change,” Spokane Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer assured the City Council’s Public Safety and Community Health Committee on Monday…

Work to start on Piscataquis County public safety radio study (ME)

DOVER-FOXCROFT — After a delay due to a snowstorm last month, initial work will start soon on a feasibility study for a Piscataquis County public safety radio system.

During a Jan. 5 meeting of the Piscaaquis County Commissioners, Piscataquis County Emergency Management Agency Director Tom Capraro said he has received an email from Communications Design Consulting Group of Barrington, New Hampshire, to schedule a kick-off meeting with himself and other county emergency officials in the next week or two… 

RCHD vaccinating public safety workers (KS)

The Riley County Health Department is beginning to vaccinate people who aren’t in health care but have jobs that affect public safety.

Health department director Julie Gibbs said RCHD staff vaccinated emergency dispatch personnel and water treatment operators. She said those are jobs that are crucial to public health and safety and require specialized training, which is why they’re prioritized…

“Text to speech” feature has improved fire, medical response times, 911 director says (KY)

The computer dispatch function launched by Owensboro-Daviess County 911 early last year has helped fire and medical responders respond to scenes more quickly, dispatch center Director Paul Nave said this week.

In February, the dispatch center implemented its text to speech dispatch system. When a call is received, the dispatcher will enter the address, type of call and call code, and the computer will send the alert to first responders…