The City of Ripon is looking to replace the outdated technology necessary to provide dispatch services from the Ripon Police Department.
On Tuesday, the Ripon City Council will look to approve and authorize the purchase of radio tower equipment for the Channel 1 update.
This item and more will be part of the agenda for the 6 p.m. monthly session inside the Council Chambers, 259 N. Wilma Ave.
The Ripon Communications Center, along with Ripon police, handles dispatch services for both the Escalon Police Department and the Lathrop Police Department.
While Ripon and Escalon shared Channel 1 for radio communications – the outdated T-1 point-to-point link – Lathrop was monitored on a separate channel.
“Based on this set up, the Ripon Communications Center was monitoring two radio channels,” the staff report.
To further complicate matters, the T-1 connection between Ripon and Escalon was permanently disconnected by the provider, TPx Communications, which was moving away from the outdated technologies. Ripon police, unaware of that until two weeks prior to the disconnection, still needed to provide 911 emergency services, with no possibility of an extension from TPx Communications.
La Rue Communications stepped in to provide an additional channel in the Ripon Communication Center – Ripon, Escalon, and Lathrop communications were now on separate channels.
In September, La Rue Communications installed a converting analog to digital device, with hopes that Ripon and Escalon could go back to sharing Channel 1.
That device, local police noted, proved to be unreliable, randomly shutting down at various times while causing public safety issue due to not being able to communicate with Escalon.
La Rue Communications recommended the replacement / upgrade of equipment for the Ripon Communications Center’s radio Channel 1, with the cost not to exceed $119,304 – paid via the General Department Capital Fund.
The Escalon Police Department, in addition, will reimburse the City of Ripon for 50 percent of the cost ($7,531) for the Zetron hardware and software coupled with the cost of labor for the installation.
Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) announced this week that the County of Door would receive $3.9 million for the upgrade of its public safety radio system that assures all peninsula residents and visitors can contact emergency personnel when they need them.
The county is in the beginning stages of a full-system upgrade to its communication infrastructure that consists of 12 towers (four county-owned and eight co-located). The new upgrade will add eight towers (two co-locations and six new builds) to get appropriate coverage percentages per municipality, according to a Feb. 7 memo from Ashley DeGrave, Door County technology services project manager.
The project will be broken into three phases: land acquisition/site testing; civil/shelter/site work and tower construction; and FCC licensing acquisition and tower/radio equipment purchasing and implementation.
The total project cost for all three phases is estimated at $25,609,680.08. The county’s last full-system update was in 2013.
“Wisconsinites deserve to be safe in their communities, and I am proud to have secured nearly $4 million to help Door County update its public safety radio system – making it easier for public safety leaders to communicate, respond to emergencies, and protect our neighbors,” Baldwin said in a statement.
In total, Baldwin secured $211 million for projects in Wisconsin in the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2024 government funding package, seven of those, including Door County’s, in Northeast Wisconsin.
MONROE COUNTY, N.Y. — 911 calls in Monroe County were impacted for a little over half an hour Saturday morning due to the failure of a backup system during construction at the Route 390/Scottsville Road interchange.
Normal 911 functions had been restored as of 3 p.m., the county reported Saturday afternoon.
The county reported that at about 7:05 a.m., a Frontier Network redundant system failed to engage during a planned fiber cable disconnect for the construction. The Frontier re-route switch for the 911 calls should have activated once the disconnect happened, but it did not — and callers may have received a fast-busy signal from 7:05 to 7:40 a.m.
At 7:40 a.m., all 911 calls in Monroe County, including the city of Rochester, were re-routed to the 911 center in Livingston County and are now being handled by Ontario County. they transfer those calls to the Rochester/Monroe County Emergency Communications Center for dispatch. According to the county, calls can take a few minutes to be routed through this extra step, so callers were encouraged to stay on the line. According to the county, dispatch systems to emergency services were not impacted.
Crews from the county’s Department of Environmental Services worked with Frontier Communications to re-route the fiber circuit to re-establish the connection to the 911 Center. They also were both working with the county’s Information Services department to reestablish the backup network path.
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — When there’s an emergency in Durham, the city’s 911 center is typically the first to know, but if something were to happen to the communications center located on Main Street, officials need an official backup.
“We want to make sure that when that caller is dialing 911 and they need resources, that there’s someone there,” Durham Emergency Communications Center Director Randy Beeman said.
The City of Durham is required to have an official alternate routing partner for 911 calls, according to the NC 911 Board.
Beeman said the center has had an informal emergency backup relationship with the Raleigh-Wake Emergency Communications Center, but the City of Fayetteville is the best match for a formal partnership.
“The City of Fayetteville is naturally similar in size as we are,” he said. “Also from a radio operational standpoint, we have a great opportunity here with working with similar radio systems … we also have the same (CAD software). So, therefore, managing calls, taking the calls, processing the calls are very similar.”
There is no financial cost or impact to executing an interlocal agreement, according to Beeman.
He clarified to the City Council on Thursday that the need for a backup wasn’t because of a staffing issue.
“It is for when our center is incapacitated,” Beeman said, meaning they cannot receive calls nor can they dispatch. “Those are those rare circumstances. Staffing wise, we continue to move forward in our staffing.”
The City Council decided to revisit the item at the next council meeting.
Pictured (from left) are Police Chief David Onley and Fire Chief Glenn Kurfees.
Special to Iredell Free News
The City of Statesville is accepting applications for the 2024 Public Safety Academy.
This is the first time the Statesville Police Department and Statesville Fire Department have joined forces to offer this comprehensive program, which builds upon the success of the previous Police Academy.
The academy is set to begin on April 11 and run through June 9, concluding with a graduation ceremony. Sessions will be held every Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. at different locations with SPD and SFD staff taking turns leading each class.
Designed to deepen community understanding of public safety services provided by the City of Statesville, the academy also offers participants the opportunity to provide valuable feedback, contributing to ongoing efforts to enhance service delivery to the community.
The inaugural academy is limited to 25 participants. Organizers encourage those who interested in participating to turn their applications in early.
Police-related topics include administration, patrol, recruiting and training, communications, crime analysis/mapping, community services, School Resource Officers, traffic, criminal investigations, evidence, violent crimes, Special Response Team (SRT), K-9, Crime Reduction Team, drone and camera technology.
Fire-related topics include administration, operations and training, code enforcement, fire investigations, fire education and life safety, CPR/AED hands-on training and information, live fire and extinguisher training, hazmat operations, drone operations, fire rescue (ropes, extrication, confined space), ladder operations, airport rescue firefighting, other specialized fire response demonstrations.
Applicants must meet specific criteria to be eligible for the academy, including being 18 years of age prior to the first meeting, agreeing to sign a waiver, residing in Iredell County (with preference given to residents of Statesville), and undergoing a criminal history background check.
This inaugural program promises to provide invaluable insights into the vital work of the SPD and SFD, while also opening doors for participants to explore potential career paths.
Applications can be obtained from the City of Statesville website – www.statesvillenc.net — or by contacting the Police Department (704-878-3442) or Fire Department (704-832-3878). Applications must be received by April 5 for consideration.
Lincoln Mayor Leiron Gaylor Baird on Thursday announced a new partnership between the Lincoln Emergency Communications Center and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Lincoln becomes the first city in Nebraska to partner 911 services with 988’s mental health services, which Gaylor Baird said will boost the number of mental health calls serviced.
“The 911/988 partnership enables our 911 emergency dispatchers to connect people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress to the 988 lifeline, to trained mental health professionals and resources,” she said.
Calls received by 911 dispatchers that are deemed mental health crises will be transferred to trained professionals with 988.
Nebraska’s 988 number had a soft launch in July 2022 and since then, the call center located in Boys Town has received more than 42,000 calls, chats and texts from people experiencing crises caused by mental and behavioral issues, substance use or suicidal thoughts, said program manager Kyle Kinney.
The organization’s goal is to provide the correct services at the right time, allowing police and other emergency services to respond to other calls.
“Since implementation, 97% of calls to 988 Nebraska were able to successfully de-escalate the situation,” Kinney said.
When someone communicates with 988, they speak with counselors who help people find resources and follow up to ensure their needs are being met.
Lincoln Emergency Communication Center manager Jessica Loos said the center is eager to begin working with 988 to help identify calls that may be better handled through the new partnership.
In the last six months, the communication center has answered just under 6,000 calls from people experiencing a mental health crisis.
“Each of those times, we were limited to sending a law enforcement officer when officers were available to respond,” Loos said. “Most of these calls were ones in which the expertise of a crisis counselor would be more effective in addressing the callers’ needs.”
Research shows that when officers make contact during a mental health crisis, the chances of a situation escalating increase, as does the likelihood of someone ending up in jail.
Certain circumstances may still result in officers being called to a scene of a mental health crisis. For example, if someone is threatening to not only harm themselves but also others, police will be called.
The number of calls to 988 is expected to increase, with 911 calls in Lincoln being connected quickly to the service line. According to Kinney, the average wait time is under 10 seconds.
If the call volume becomes too great for the current staff at 988, the organization will look to hire to fill the necessary gaps.
The Department of Health and Human Services funds 988 Nebraska and will work with the organization to maintain a satisfactory service level if additional funding for staffing becomes necessary.
Staffing has steadily increased since the beginning of the program, Kinney said.
Gaylor Baird touted Lincoln’s continued dedication to increase public safety.
“We are so pleased to be piloting this program here in Lincoln as we work to become the safest and healthiest capital city in the country,” Gaylor Baird said.
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Top Journal Star photos for March 2024
Northwest High School seniors Feryal Akpo-Idrissou (left) and Madeline Smith register to vote on Monday.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Nebraska’s C.J. Wilcher (0) waits for the team lineups to be announced before the game against Rutgers on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Overton celebrates after defeating Wynot in the Class D-2 state championship game Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Overton coach Janessa Bergman (left) reacts with the Eagles’ bench during the Class D-2 state championship game against Wynot on Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Millard West’s Taylor Hansen (21) and Kylee Paben (42) guard Bellevue West’s Ahnica Russell Brown (0) as she attempts to score in the paint in the second half during the Class A girls state tournament championship game, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Millard West players dogpile at center court after defeating Bellevue West to win the Class A girls state tournament championship game, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Tyson McCall, 7, (right) is lifted up by his father Keenan as they cheer on Yutan in the Class C-2 girls state tournament championship game, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Yutan’s Jade Lewis (4) celebrates during the Class C-2 girls state tournament championship game against Crofton, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Crofton’s Ellie Tramps drives the ball down court on a breakaway in the first half during the Class C-2 girls state tournament championship game, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Lincoln Christian celebrates winning the Class C-1 state championship against Sidney on Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KATY COWELL, Journal Star
Pender celebrates winning the Class D-1 girls state tournament championship game over Southern Valley, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Pender won 39-25.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Lincoln Southwest senior Trent Buda dresses up as Where’s Waldo during a Class A girls state tournament semifinal game against Bellevue West on Friday, March 1, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KATY COWELL Journal Star
Nebraska’s Caitlin Olensky pitches against Wichita State, Friday, March 1, 2024, at Bowlin Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Beatrice’s Anna Gleason hugs Kiley Hatcliff while Callie Schwisow and Kiera Busboom (from left) embrace as they console one another following a close loss to Elkhorn North in a Class B girls state tournament semifinal game Friday, March 1, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Yutan’s Emilia Tederman (bottom left) competes for the ball with Bishop Neumann’s Caitlin McGuigan (top left) and Adalin Bosak during a Class C-2 girls state tournament semifinal game, Friday, March 1, 2024, at the Devaney Sports Center.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Using an in camera double exposure Omaha Skutt players Peyton McCabe (10) and Kamryn Kasner (34) are framed by a cheerleaders pom pom as they block a shot by Gretna East’s Karli Williams (5) in the first half during a Class B girls state tournament semifinal game Friday, March 1, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Sidney’s Payton Schrotberger (3) leads the charge as she and her teammates Ryan Dillehay (21) and Karsyn Leeling (0) rush to celebrate with their team after their win over Grand Island Central Catholic in a Class C-1 girls state tournament semifinal game Friday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
The Sidney bench and head coach Tyler Shaw (center) celebrate after Ryan Dillehay (not pictured) scored a go-ahead basket against Grand Island CC in the second half during a Class C-1 girls state tournament semifinal game Friday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Lincoln Christian’s Kenadee Ailes (30) swats away a layup attempt by Bridgeport’s Tracey From (4) while her teammate Jessa Hueser (1) guards the lane in the first half during a Class C-1 girls state tournament semifinal game Friday, March 1, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Beatrice’s Kiley Hatcliff (21) and Addison Hatcliff (10) celebrate winning a Class B first-round girls state tournament game over Norris on Thursday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KATY COWELL, Journal Star
Lincoln North Star’s Sarah Gatwetch (right) celebrates with her teammates after placing their name on a bracket to advance to the semifinals following their win over Millard North in a Class A first-round girls state basketball tournament game Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
The Omaha Central student section read their student newspaper while Millard West is introduced ahead of a Class A first-round girls state tournament game on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
An array of ciders from Saro Cider — Joy Harvest with Arbor Day Farm (from left), grapefruit, cranberry spice, and a non-alcoholic raspberry Bellini — is shown with a pesto parmesan flatbread.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Bishop Neumann junior Anthony Kavan (left) plays a card game with sophomore Dominic Benes as the basketball team palys Cross County during a Class C-2 first-round girls state tournament game, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, at the Devaney Sports Center.
Learn about current efforts to continue to protect the 4.9 GHz Band for public safety as well as recent filings, key decisions impacting these efforts, and how you can support PSSA’s initiative to protect the 4.9 GHz band for public safety.
