Comm Center News
Fayette County allocated American Rescue Plan funds for emergency dispatch radio system (IA)
Fayette County hopes to use American Rescue Plan funds and grant money to upgrade the radio system used by the sheriff to dispatch emergency services. The Board of Supervisors and the Fayette County E911 Commission met in joint session at the courthouse last week to...
IWCE 2022: Public-safety digital security and the threat of cyberattacks
A few decades ago, government security managers were tasked with overseeing physical features like fencing, CCTV cameras, doors and locks. Today, security stretches far beyond brick and mortar infrastructure—into the digital realm. With the meteoric rise in ransomware...
First cadet to be assigned to Carson City Public Safety Communications Division in 32 years (NV)
Sheriff’s Office Cadet Explorer Trinity McLaren has become the first Cadet to be assigned to the Public Safety Communications Division of the department in 32 years. Following in the footsteps forged decades ago by Captain (retired) Brian Humphrey, Carson City...
The United States adds Chinese telecommunications companies to the list of national security threats
Washington [US]March 28 (ANI): On Friday, the US added China Telecom (Americans) Corp and China Mobile International USA to its list of providers of communications equipment and services that pose a threat to national security under a 2019 law that has to intended to...
Hometown Helpers: 911 dispatcher helps save lives (Video) (ID
IDAHO FALLS — Every week, EastIdahoNews.com is introducing you to Hometown Helpers in our community. We want to spotlight firefighters, police officers, city workers, snowplow drivers and others who quietly keep our cities and counties running. This week, we are...
Spokane City Council Commits $6 Million To Public Safety (WA)
During today’s City Council Legislative Session, Council adopted 7-0 a resolution committing a substantial investment of at least $6,271,869 in 2022 into City of Spokane public safety vehicles. This investment includes four new fire pumper trucks totaling $3.9 million...
Staff Spotlight – Norell Mascolo, Dispatcher Yale Public Safety (CT)
Norell Mascolo has been a Yale Public Safety Dispatcher since 2007. Norell is the first point of contact for Yale’s emergency and non-emergency calls. It is a unique occupation requiring efficiency, experience, and compassion. Helping individuals during a difficult or...
Cobb 911 operator answers 20,000 calls, shatters county record (GA)
“That’s what my job is and if I didn’t take the calls, then I’m not doing my job,” she said. “In my eyes it was a team effort; it’s not just me making that accomplishment. It was all of 911. This is not a one-person job.” Bell surpassed the 20,000 mark in early...
It may cost $650K to overhaul Somerset County’s outdated dispatch system (ME)
The soon-to-be obsolete dispatch system that Somerset County and three police departments use is being replaced, but at a cost of $650,000. The county has relied on its current system, called IMC Suite, for the last 18 to 20 years, said Michael Smith, director for the...
Attention: 9-1-1 unavailable for 3G network/cell phones in 2022 (CA)
From North County Fire Protection District If your mobile phone is more than a few years old, you may need to upgrade your device before your mobile provider shuts down its 3G network, to avoid losing service. For more information on your mobile providers' plans for...
Palo Alto police push back against attempts to reverse radio encryption (CA)
The Palo Alto Police Department is pushing back against attempts by some members of the City Council to reverse its policy of encrypting police radio communication, which prevents the media and members of the public from using scanners to monitoring police activities....
Fresno Police launch new dispatch system to help officers respond faster (CA)
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A new high-tech tool will help the Fresno Police Department respond to emergency calls.Fresno police launched the new and improved Computer-Aided Dispatch or "CAD" system at the end of last month. It was designed over the last four years in...
Arkansas State 911 consolidation plan could spell financial trouble for Miller County
TEXARKANA, Ark. -- An effort by the Arkansas 911 Board to streamline Public Safety Answering Points, or 911 centers, could leave Miller County in a financial emergency. The Arkansas side operates two 911 dispatch centers -- one at the Miller County Sheriff's Office on...
Fresno PD first major city to deploy Axon Dispatch to better support first responders (AZ)
Axon Dispatch provides a robust 9-1-1 computer-aided dispatch system (CAD) built on modern cloud technologies SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., -- Axon, the global leader in connected public safety technologies, today announced that the Fresno Police Department, a Major City Chiefs...
Township passes resolution for ambulance services (MI)
The Fenton Township Board of Trustees passed a resolution on Tuesday, March 22 to designate Medstar Inc. as the municipality’s preferred ambulance/emergency medical provider. The resolution states that Michigan Public Health Code, specifically MCL 333.20948,...
FCC Adds 3 Companies To National Security Threat List
Russian-owned AO Kaspersky Lab, along with China Telecom (Americas) Corp. and China Mobile International USA Inc., are now on the list, which was created under federal cybersecurity legislation three years ago. The FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau...
After drowning, DC 911 to improve coordination when Fire and EMS seeks aid
The drowning of a grandfather of 17, who jumped into the Washington Channel more than 30 minutes after an initial 911 call, has prompted the District’s Office of Unified Communications to review procedures when Fire and EMS calls for help from police. David Earl...
Emergency Communications Project Expanded to Improve Response Times (TX)
On February 15, 2022, the City of Austin, with partners in Williamson County, went live with a system that extends Automatic Aid for fire dispatch. The new system, Tellus, is an interface that brings together disparate Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems to share...
Manchester selectmen move dispatch question to Town Election (MA)
MANCHESTER — The future of Manchester’s emergency dispatch service will now be decided in part at this year’s Town Election, and not at Special Town Meeting this summer.Selectmen voted unanimously earlier this week to feature a non-binding vote “on the future of dispatch” on the election ballot on May 17. The exact wording of the question has yet to be determined.Selectmen said the move was needed as more voters participate in the Town Election than Town Meeting.For years, the town has debated whether to join a regional dispatch center instead of having its own employees work the phones at Manchester Police Department. Earlier this month, North Shore Regional 911 Center of Middleton announced it has the capacity to take on all of Manchester’s dispatch services at no cost to the town.
At the election, voters will decide if they want to make the move or keep dispatch local. If dispatch stays put, the town will need to invest in new dispatchers, a new dispatch console and various software and hardware upgrades. Based on how many new hires are made, the town could potentially spend between $1.9 million and $3.8 million on dispatch services over the next five years.Because this is a town personnel issue, selectmen will ultimately make the call on the future of the town’s dispatch. This non-binding vote will influence the selectmen’s decision.In addition to moving the dispatch question from Special Town Meeting to Town Election, selectmen voted to hold two public forums to discuss the North Shore Regional 911 Center’s feasibility study regarding Manchester’s potential membership. The forums will be held virtually on Thursdays, April 24 and May 5.Selectmen and Finance Committee Chairwoman Sarah Mellish, who was present at Monday’s meeting, agreed to make their official recommendations public sometime before the first public forum.
Build a strategy for compliance with federal 911 laws
With federal regulations around 911 calling and location information fully in effect and enforceable, organizations need to ensure their PBX and phone systems are compliant. "There are obligations for everyone, from the manufacturer and distributor through to the...
Upcoming Webinar
4.9 GHz Band: Review of the FCC Order
On October 22, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) released its Eighth Report and Order (Eighth R&O) regarding utilization of the 4940-4990 MHz (4.9 GHz) band that protects incumbent users as requested by us, the Public Safety Spectrum Alliance (PSSA). This Eighth R&O addresses a number of issues related to the use of this band by public safety. Please join us for a briefing on this order and how it impacts public safety.
This presentation will be led by Chief Jeff Johnson (ret) and Attorney Jason Karp, one of the nation’s leading experts in public safety spectrum regulations.
REGISTER
Subscribe to Comm Center News
Get the latest News, Articles, and Insights from AllThingsECC.com weekly in our newsletter.
Stay Up to Date With The Latest News & Updates
Share Your Story
Join our community to share your experience and connect and collaborate with colleagues.
Join Our Newsletter
Get the latest News, Articles, and Insights from AllThingsECC.com weekly in our newsletter.
Follow Us
Stay connected with the latestEmergency Communications News, Articles & Information.