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Honoring Virginia’s unseen heroes of public safety: Telecommunicators
(WFXR) — All week long, communities across the Commonwealth and across the country have been honoring “headset heroes,” the men and women who play a crucial role in public safety as communications officers and dispatchers. Back in 1991, officials say Congress...
Jefferson County, others honor telecommunicators (WI)
JEFFERSON — This week is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department is honoring its emergency telecommunicators and dispatchers, as are law enforcement agencies across the nation. “I can’t thank these dedicated men and...
South Walton 911 tech enables texts, better location tracking (FL)
SANTA ROSA BEACH — New technology is helping South Walton emergency dispatchers more precisely pinpoint locations and communicate with people who can’t safely speak over the phone. The South Walton Fire District Emergency Communications Center in Santa Rosa Beach...
Upper Valley firefighters say switch to Lower Valley dispatch best for fire service (WA)
On April 1, there was a change in the Upper Yakima Valley fire departments. While there was no outward difference — crews still responded from their stations to calls in their respective communities wearing the same uniforms as before — it was one change that someone...
Holly Weber Recognized With The Theresa Parker Dispatcher Of The Year Award In Walker County (TN)
One of Holly Weber’s first calls on the job was truly heartbreaking. The Walker County E-911 dispatcher tried to help a 36-year old man, who ultimately succumbed to a heart attack. Over the past three years, Ms. Weber has been on the receiving end of many other...
Miami Fire Rescue 911 Dispatchers Celebrated During Public Safety Telecommunicator’s Week (FL)
The city of Miami Fire Rescue team of 911 dispatchers is being celebrated this week for their contributions to the community as part of National Public Safety Telecommunicator’s Week. Although people might not see them, their job is crucial to getting people the help...
Sheriff’s Communications Officers Recognized By BOCC (MD)
PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. – As we continue to celebrate National Public Safety and Telecommunications Week, we would like to thank Calvert’s Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for the proclamation and recognition for our Sheriff’s Office Communication Officers. These...
Strengthening 911 Communications
First responders need robust 911 communication infrastructure that can handle high-pressure situations at a high volume or in case of disaster. An all-encompassing first response starts the moment an emergency call is received. In these scenarios time is critical, so...
April 10-16 marks National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NC)
LENOIR – Caldwell County Emergency Services is celebrating the second full week of April (April 10-16) as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. This week recognizes the true first responders, the telecommunicators of the 911 Communications Division. The...
Lifelines: a look at the job of a telecommunicator (Canada)
Cassandra Bendig’s daily work requirements can range from helping with a baby delivery, to giving instructions on how to perform CPR. The 34-year-old is one of 18 communications specialists at Medical Communications Centre North. With a background in Kinesiology, and...
Franklin County honors local 911 dispatchers (NY)
MALONE — The Franklin County Office of Emergency Services hosted an event Wednesday afternoon to recognize National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.“Franklin County is fortunate to have an exceptional team of dedicated dispatchers who are committed to our communities and first responders in their time of need,” Emergency Services Director and Fire Coordinator Ricky Provost said.Last week, The Franklin County Board of Legislators unanimously voted in favor to proclaim the week of April 10 to 16 National Dispatchers Week.Legislative Chair Donald Dabiew on Wednesday presented the dispatch team an official copy of the resolution.The gathering included presentations and demonstrations with on-the-job equipment and assets by the Malone Callfiremen, Malone EMS, New York State Police and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.According to the county Office of Emergency Services, the county 911 Dispatch Center receives close to 70,000 emergency-related calls each year and provides telecommunication for 19 fire and EMS departments, eight EMS agencies, three village police departments, state police and tribal police.Franklin County dispatchers are reminding the public about ways to make a 911 call less stressful for all involved.Before being able to send appropriate responders, a dispatcher needs to know crucial information such as the location.Cell phones do not always provide an accurate location, dispatchers say, and locations must be validated by the caller. A confirmed phone number is recommended in case a call is disconnected prematurely.After getting location information, dispatchers will ask what type of emergency is being reported and whether there are concerns for the safety of responders.While this information is collected, another dispatcher sends out the emergency information while the call is taking place in order to deploy responders in a timely manner.Dispatchers say it is important for callers to listen to the dispatcher because they may provide instructions prior to the arrival of responders.The Office of Emergency Services is hosting two upcoming classes.The Constable Fire Department is offering a Vehicle Rescue: Operations Level class at 6 p.m. April 25.A WebEx-based class for fire investigations for the line officer will be offered at 6:30 p.m. May 11 and 8:30 a.m.
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National Public Safety Telecommunications Week Honors Dispatchers (KY)
Dispatchers are very rarely ever seen but provide a critical service to their communities The Jackson County Sun and our community paid tribute to our county dispatchers in our March 30, 2022 issue. Sheriff Paul Hays and Judge Shane Gabbard both applaud our local...
Geary Co. dispatchers recognized during National Dispatcher week (KS)
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. (WIBW) - Dispatchers are the calm voice on the other end of the phone call when an emergency arises. Geary County has 9 full time dispatchers who share the responsibility of talking to the community member, while contacting the proper emergency...
Sarpy Board honors 911 dispatchers (NE)
PAPILLION -- Seven members of the Sarpy County 911 dispatch team were recognized for their heroic efforts at the Sarpy County Board of Commissioners Tuesday afternoon meeting on April 12. Three dispatchers -- Teresa Smith, Nautica Geislar and Dallas Keffer -- were on...
Commissioners Proclaim April 10–16 as Clarion County Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (PA)
CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – Imagine going to work knowing it’s your job to talk to people on the worst day of their lives. (Pictured above: Michelle Lander, 911 Deputy Director, accepts a proclamation from Clarion County Commissioners Ed Heasley, Ted Tharan, and Wayne...
911 Telecommunicators: Public’s first contact with first responders (SD)
(Editor’s note: National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is April 10-16. This story provides a glimpse into what a local dispatcher may handle during a shift.) The caller was frantic. A family member was in danger and needed assistance. The caller was en route...
Central Dispatch, emergency community marks telecommunications week (OK)
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Area public safety personnel from police, to firefighters, to medical personnel, to storm spotters marked National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Emergency personnel are increasingly reliant on telecommunication for accurate, detailed, and timely information about their situations. In addition to the traditional two-way radios, first responders have access to mobile data from the Internet and their headquarters, and the ability to communicate with other agencies when mutual aid is required. Dispatchers are the first in the chain of notification.“What I personally do for my dispatchers,” Pontotoc County 9-1-1/Central Dispatch Daniel Manuel said Wednesday, “is try to write them notes, and give them little gifts and stuff like that to show them how much we appreciate them.“I like to make others aware that it is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, so they can give (the dispatchers) a pat on the back,” Manuel said. “I just try to let people know what’s going on, because dispatchers really are the first link in the emergency chain of survival. They are true first-responders.”
Manuel says the things dispatchers encounter on the phone with the public is “just incredible.”Manuel also said he likes to cook for them.“I’ll cook for some of them, or for some of them I’ll buy them food, since they don’t all like the same thing,” Manuel added.The week-long event, typically held in the second week of April each year, was initially set up in 1981 by Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office in California. It is a time to celebrate and thank those who dedicate their lives to serving the public. It is a week that should be set aside so everyone can be made aware of their hard work and dedication.
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Text Messages Help Indiana 911 Dispatcher Save Victim from Captor
here is no doubt that technology has advanced at a tremendous rate over the last 20 years. We literally carry handheld supercomputers with us everywhere we go keeping us connected to the entire planet with nothing more than a tiny, digital keyboard, and long gone are...
Sheriff recognizes unsung heroes behind 911 calls (LA)
The Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office honored its dispatchers Tuesday as part of as part of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Shown are Sheriff Doug Hebert III, Sheriff’s Office Communications Supervisor and 911 Dispatcher Allison McCullough, dispatchers...
Amid understaffing, 911 dispatchers are working longer hours (MN)
DULUTH, MN -- This week is National Telecommunicator Week, and while people across the country recognize the hard work of 911 dispatchers, staff in St. Louis County are dealing with challenges of their own. “We’re a 24/7 call center, we’re not immune to staffing...
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PSBTA Releases Survey on First Responder Support for FirstNet Reauthorization
New Survey: First Responders Overwhelmingly Support Reauthorization of FirstNet
A new bipartisan national survey commissioned by the Public Safety Broadband Technology Association finds near- unanimous support among first responders for reauthorizing the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority)– the agency overseeing America’s dedicated public safety broadband network.
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PSBTA UpdatesMORE>
Podcast
FirstNet and the 4.9 GHz Spectrum
This episode dives into the critical evolution of public safety communications, focusing on the recent FCC decision to establish a nationwide Band Manager framework for the 4.9 GHz spectrum, and discuss the evolution and deployment of the FirstNet System. Host Chris Tubbs interviews Chief Jeff Johnson, a leader in public safety technology and the development of FirstNet. Together, they explore the history, governance, and transformative potential of FirstNet and the 4.9 GHz spectrum in enhancing public safety operations with emerging technologies like AI, 5G, and augmented reality. The discussion emphasizes the importance of protecting and optimizing public safety spectrum, the lessons learned from past advocacy efforts, and a call to action for public safety leaders to remain engaged in ensuring the spectrum’s effective use and governance.
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Webinar
Accessing Federal Resources When an Emergency or Major Disaster Strikes
In light of the major disasters that our nation has recently experienced, PS Grants is offering this FREE webinar to review Disaster Assistance Programs and how to access them. Learn what federal funds and resources are available through Disaster Assistance, understand the process of requesting assistance, know what to expect before, during, and after, and find out who to contact for help.
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