Comm Center News
Penobscot Regional Communications Center is the busiest in the state (ME)
BANGOR, Maine (WABI) - The Penobscot Regional Communication Center is the busiest Public Safety Answering Point in the state. The director of the center says in 2019 they handled over 63,000 9-1-1 calls. They also took 289,000 other calls and made 1.5 million radio...
Carroll County short on funding for more staff at 911 center after revenue projections disappoint (MD)
Carroll County’s government expected to receive at least $1.7 million in new revenue from a statewide phone fee, but in reality the amount was about one-third of what county staff predicted. As a result, county officials who were hoping to use increased revenues from...
Santa Fe County weighs closure of juvenile detention facility (NM)
Santa Fe County is considering closing its juvenile detention center because of declining bookings, rising maintenance costs and growing liability risks, according to a memo sent to county commissioners earlier this week. Commissioners will direct the county to either...
Woman charged for abusing Jackson County 9-1-1 system (OR)
MEDFORD, Ore. – A woman pleaded guilty to improperly using 9-1-1 during a domestic dispute. The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office said on the afternoon of May 3, 2019, April Goheen called 9-1-1 in a “frantic voice.” She told a dispatcher her husband was at...
Sioux City Fire Rescue’s EMS division granted prestigious accreditation (IA)
SIOUX CITY (KTIV) -- Sioux City Fire Rescue has been granted accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services, within two years of beginning operation of the EMS Division. The accreditation process examines all aspects of ambulance operations,...
Ralls County 911 extends partnership with Marion-Lewis 911 under new name (MO)
911 calls are going to a new place in one part of Northeast Missouri. Ralls County 911 officials said they have a new agreement to extend the partnership between Marion Ralls County 911, and it's saving them money as well. The partnership between the two dispatch...
How behavioral ‘nudges’ can reduce burnout among 911 dispatchers
Cities across the United States are struggling with a growing public safety problem that’s largely invisible to the public: a shortage of people willing to work high-stress jobs answering 911 emergency calls. The problem is taking a toll on emergency...
Collierville dispatcher saves woman’s life at local restaurant (TN)
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - A Collierville dispatcher and restaurant worker teamed up to save the life of a woman who started choking during a dinner a Firebirds in Collierville. Dispatcher Tyler Barthel said his training on how to do the Heimlich maneuver properly became...
Chicago’s 911 emergency center to get a $75 million upgrade
The 20-year-old computer-aided dispatch system that forms the guts of Chicago’s 911 center will be replaced by a new system that accepts texts, photos and videos from emergency scenes. After years of planning, City Hall has chosen TriTech Software Systems to install...
Rockwall Police Communications Center serves as ‘Safe Trade Zone’ for internet purchases, child custody exchange (TX)
The Rockwall Police Department has designated the front of its Communications Center, located at 205 West Rusk, as a “Safe Trade Zone” for internet purchases and child custody exchange. The area is under 24 hours of surveillance to ensure safety... READ MORE
9-1-1 in need of help
PLYMOUTH CO. — In 2019, the Plymouth County Communications Center saw more than 19,500 calls for service with 6,000 of those 9-1-1 calls, according to Kirk Hatting, communications supervisor. Those numbers have increased substantially over the years as officers get...
Wake 911 now gets pics, video through text messages
Raleigh and Wake County residents have an additional way to communicate with 911. You can send a text message that includes pictures and videos to the Raleigh-Wake Emergency Communications Center (911). A text or data plan is required to place a text to 911. Check...
NextNav plans to make vertical-location capability available in top 50 markets this year
NextNav this year plans to deploy sensors that will let cellular devices determine their vertical—or Z-axis—location for 911 purposes in at least the top 50 markets after securing $120 million in a funding to pay for the installation of the needed infrastructure,...
SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA’S 9-1-1 OUTAGE UNDER INVESTIGATION (MN)
Early this week, 9 counties in Southeastern Minnesota were affected by a 9-1-1 outage. The counties affected were: Rice, Steele, Goodhue, Dodge, Freeborn, Mower, Wabasha, Winona, and Olmsted. A press release from the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office states...
Leawood police dispatcher arrested in connection with divulging confidential information (KS)
A Leawood police dispatcher has been arrested in connection with divulging confidential information, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation said Wednesday According to KBI spokeswoman Melissa Underwood, Kallie R. Turnbow, 39, of Olathe, was arrested about 12:30 p.m....
10 Lehigh County 911 center workers lose jobs after alleged New Year’s Eve drinking incident
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Ten Lehigh County 911 dispatchers, including some supervisors, have lost their jobs after drinking on the job. The alleged incident happened on New Year's Eve in the county's communications center in downtown Allentown. According to multiple sources,...
California Dispatchers Recognized as First Responders in New Legislation
California Dispatchers Recognized as First Responders in New Legislation
Thursday, January 23, 2020 (0 Comments)Posted by: Chris NussmanFrom the office of California Assemblymember Rudy Salas:
Today, Assemblymember Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield) joined a group of public safety dispatchers from across the state for a press conference to celebrate Assembly Bill 1945 (AB 1945), which would recognize the brave work of public safety dispatchers by classifying them as first responders. Currently, the Federal government describes dispatchers as an “administrative” occupation. This classification does not accurately describe the work of dispatchers who undergo extensive training and whose work can mean the difference between life and death. The idea for this bill was brought to Assemblymember Salas by a local dispatcher from Kings County, Maribel Stinson, who emailed him directly suggesting the potential legislation.
“It is an honor to officially recognize the incredible work of our public safety dispatchers,” said Assemblymember Salas. “Dispatchers are vital to keeping our communities safe. When a hostage taker or a suicidal person calls 9-1-1, the first individual they speak with is often a dispatcher whose negotiation skills can save lives. I want to thank Ms. Stinson for contacting me with this idea. Her life-saving in the community was the start of AB 1945, which ensure that brave women and men who are working as dispatchers are properly acknowledged for their work.”
Public safety dispatchers or public safety telecommunicators play a vital role in emergency response. They routinely communicate with individuals in great distress, harm, fear, or injury, including during active shooter situations. Dispatchers are trained to coach callers through first aid, collect vital information for officers, and negotiate in a variety of hostile situations.
“I congratulate Assemblymember Rudy Salas for his introduction of important legislation that would rightfully designate 9-1-1 dispatchers as first responders,” said Brian Fontes, CEO of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA). “For too long, federal and state agencies have categorized the work of 9-1-1 professionals as administrative or clerical in nature, which is inaccurate and a disservice to the specialized, lifesaving work done by dispatchers every day.”
Assemblymember Salas was joined at today’s press conference by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez, a principal coauthor of the bill and former EMT, as well as dispatchers from the Central Valley, Monterey County, the Bay Area, Sacramento, and Sonoma County. In addition, Allena Wiggins, President of the Northern California Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (NAPCO) and Lee Ann Magoski, President of the California National Emergency Number Association (CALNENA), attended in support of AB 1945.
There are currently over 6,000 dispatchers employed in California who responded to over 27 million 9-1-1 calls in 2018 alone. Additionally, these dispatchers responded to 28,014 emergency text messages which is up 10,000 from 2017.
Reno Co. 911 takes 100 calls in 10 minutes after earthquake, asks public to call for emergencies (KS)
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (KSNW) – Seconds after an earthquake shook Hutchinson on Sunday, phones at the Reno County 911 center started ringing off the hook. Jessica Lynch, Director of Reno County Emergency Communications Center, says she always wants people to call 911 if...
McDowell set to join new statewide network for 911 (NC)
Through a new initiative, McDowell County will soon join a statewide network intended to improve access to 911 services. The North Carolina 911 Board is providing residents with technological improvements to 911 communications across the state through the Next...
Summit County Sheriff Introduces Next Generation 911 (UT)
Beginning last week, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office inaugurated a feature that allows citizens a new way to call for help on “911.” The Department says their slogan now is “Call if you can; Text if you can’t.” Summit County’s Public Safety Communications...
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.