County formalizes taxing district for 911 center (MT)

The Flathead County commissioners passed a resolution recently establishing a special taxing district for the Flathead Emergency Communications Center, meeting the requirements of a ballot measure voters passed in November to increase funding for 911 services and equipment.

Since 2009, the communications center has been run jointly by the county, Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Kalispell, with the three cities contributing funding for dispatch services. The commissioners’ resolution sets Dec. 31 as the expiration date for that arrangement… READ MORE

Greenville County Council considers joint dispatch center between Sheriff’s Office, EMS (SC)

Men and women inside the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office communications center field more than 500,000 emergency calls per year. Helping people respond to crises and dispatching deputies to the scenes have been at the core of the responsibilities of about 40 dispatchers who work in the basement of the county Law Enforcement Center on McGee Road.

Now an effort eight years in the making to move the call center into a joint facility with Greenville County Emergency Medical Services has County Council backing after a new resolution was passed Tuesday… READ MORE

Bonham’s Tim La Vergne II named 2020 Telecommunications Officer of the Year in Lamar County (TX)

Bonham, Texas — Bonham resident Tim La Vergne II was recently selected by his peers as the 2020 Telecommunications Officer of the Year in Lamar County.

“I’m truly humbled that I was even considered for this award,” Mr. La Vergne stated. “I really love what I do and at the end of the day I’m just doing my job as the voice behind the radio as an unsung first responder. I have been with Lamar County for six years, but overall nine years as a 911 Communications Officer”… READ MORE

In challenging year, working with public safety to move FirstNet forward

It has been a challenging year for the nation, especially for the first responders who are on the front lines of wildfires, hurricanes, and the COVID-19 pandemic. During this historic year, the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) remained committed as ever to helping first responders save lives and protect communities.

As part of our mission, we continued to oversee the deployment of FirstNet, the nation’s public-safety broadband network, while working to advance innovation and enhancements to the network based on public safety’s input…