Comm Center News
New technology helps 911 dispatchers to quickly locate people in (CT)
Stamford officials gave News 12 Connecticut a look at new technology on Friday that helps get first responders to emergencies even faster. The technology was recently used to save a kayaker in Cove Island Beach. The call from the lost kayaker came in to 911...
Local dispatcher graduates from training academy (OR)
HEPPNER — Dispatcher Jacob Stutzman of the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office was among the 119th Basic Telecommunications Class of the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST). The three-week course includes...
County commission keeps the same tax rate (GA)
The Glynn County Commission voted Thursday to keep the same tax rate for the next year. Tamara Munson, interim chief financial officer, said the county gets 75 percent of its $110 million budget from taxes. The rest comes from fines, fees, grants and investments,...
Emergency Dispatcher Richard M. Barkenquast (1950-2020) (MI)
IDA, Mich. — Richard M. Barkenquast, a restaurant owner, assistant fire chief, and county emergency dispatcher who took his high-pressure duties in stride, died Aug. 14 in Regency Hospital, Sylvania. He was 69. Mr. Barkenquast of Monroe County’s Ida Township had...
CAN’T TALK IN AN EMERGENCY? NOW YOU CAN TEXT 9-1-1 (MD)
Beginning today, Marylanders have the option of texting 9-1-1 for help if they cannot call the number. In an emergency, it is not always possible to speak out loud so the Maryland assembly adopted a way to enable those with a cell phone to text in their emergency....
Harvey lays off dispatchers as city moves forward with outsourcing 911 emergency services (IL)
In a move that’s been many months in the making, Harvey laid off its skeleton crew of emergency dispatchers in preparation for the city’s transition to an outsourced dispatch model that officials expect to reap significant cost savings for the cash-strapped community....
Triumph approves emergency center at Gulf/Franklin (FL)
Another step toward Gulf Coast State College President Dr. John Holdnak’s vision to transform Gulf County into a magnet for drone technology in the region. The board of Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., last week gave final approval to...
In our opinion: Utah’s 911 dispatchers have a small emergency (UT)
To say 60 seconds can mean the difference between life and death is no exaggeration when it comes to a heart attack, stroke or an escalating domestic violence scenario. Yet, that’s about the number of seconds at least 17,500 callers to 911 waited before their call was...
New Tech Helps Tennessee Guard with Domestic Operations (TN)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In the early morning hours of March 3, a storm system moved through the state of Tennessee which produced deadly tornadoes killing 24 people, damaging over 1,500 structures and leaving over 80,000 Tennesseans without power across four counties....
Stonington launches FirstNet cell site for first responders (ME)
STONINGTON, Maine (WABI) - Stonington’s first responders are getting a major boost in their wireless communications. AT&T and FirstNet Authority will be launching a new FirstNet cell site this weekend. It's part of the FirstNet network expansion taking place in...
Murrieta implements emergency medical dispatch system (CA)
MURRIETA – A new medical protocol system has been implemented by the Murrieta police and fire communications center that will enable dispatchers to accurately assess each emergency medical situation and send the best possible response. The medical priority dispatch...
Kanawha County Metro 911 plans upgrade for emergency radio system to improve public safety (WV)
KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WCHS/WVAH) — The Metro Emergency Operations Center of Kanawha County is upgrading its emergency radio system - a move officials said will dramatically improve the center's speed and quality of communication for emergency responders. In a...
Saratoga County Debuts New Public Safety Facility (NY)
Saratoga County has opened its new public safety headquarters in Ballston Spa. The Paul E. Lent Public Safety Facility on County Farm Road houses five different departments: the Sheriff’s office, Probation Department, Public Health Department, and Emergency and...
Building Public Safety’s Network
By Tip Osterthaler, FirstNet Authority Board Chair
I am honored to have been appointed chair of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) Board. As I take the helm of the Board today, I am eager to continue to drive progress for all of public safety.
I first became involved with the FirstNet Authority in 2018, joining the Board just one year after the public-private partnership with AT&T was formed. Since then, I have had the opportunity to watch the network come to life with extensive buildout and widespread adoption among public safety. As the Finance Committee Chair, I was involved in shaping some of our most important activities of the last two years – including disciplined budgets that fund our organization and guide the future of the network. The Committee also had a key role in developing the FirstNet Authority Roadmap and the first set of network investments. READ MORE
CISA launches emergency communications tribal webpage
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently launched a webpage to promote the rebranded Tribal Emergency Communications Program, which supports direct consultation to tribes and Alaska Native communities to strengthen public safety...
Police partner with ‘what3words’ app to locate 9-1-1 callers (Canada)
The Waterloo Regional Police Service this week announced it has joined other emergency services from across the world with location technology app, what3words. The new technology is now available to the Waterloo Regional Police Service’s...
Cincinnati 911 dispatcher suspended for allegedly failing to send help to stroke victim (OH)
A Cincinnati 911 dispatcher has been suspended for allegedly failing to send help to a man suffering a stroke last month, according to reports. City Manager Patrick Duhaney, in a Monday email to City Council, called the dispatcher’s supposed failure, “a serious...
Several police departments experienced phone issues (MA)
Some police departments in Massachusetts were experiencing issues with their phone lines Wednesday afternoon. At 2:29 p.m. Cambridge police tweeted that “wireline and wireless 911 call capability across the state is intermittently impacted at this time” and suggested...
ECC discusses Pandemic Risk Recognition Program for Charlottesville area (VA)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - Board members for the Charlottesville-UVA-Albemarle County Emergency Communications Center (ECC) have approved a new program for employees. During a virtual meeting Tuesday, August 18, ECC board members discussed a new Pandemic...
Orleans Parish 911 chief chosen for national leadership position, and more metro-area community news (TX)
ORLEANS PARISH COMMUNICATION DISTRICT: Tyrell Morris, executive director of the Orleans Parish Communication District, has been chosen as co-chair of the Diversity & Inclusion Special Committee of the National Emergency Number Association. His co-chair is Frances...
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
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