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Dying on hold: How new software is creating a logjam at Portland’s 911 (OR)
When Candace Iron Hawk got home from her daughter’s softball game on April 7, her husband was face down on their bedroom floor unconscious. She and her daughter Morgan called 911 multiple times. They were placed on hold, hung up, tried again. As the minutes passed...
Dispatcher honored, credited for helping save baby’s life (CO)
BOULDER, Colo. (KDVR) — Any parent can imagine the horror of the moment their newborn stops breathing. A Boulder County couple called 911 for help and got just that from Dispatcher Rob Schimoler. Schimoler was given a Life Saving Award for his recent efforts, coaching...
Letter to the Editor: More training for 911 operators (SC)
It is time that we see a change in the number of individuals that survive sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in South Carolina. Currently, there is only about a 12% survival rate for those who experience SCA outside of the hospital setting. With a large...
Video Streaming and Tactical Incident Communications Delivering Superior Performance in Real World Applications for Police and Other Emergency Responders
Cytta Corp (OTC: CYCA) brings technology from military to enterprise. The company’s proprietary SUPR Stream technology has been designed specifically for streaming and storing HD, 4K, and higher resolution video. Their IGAN (Incident Global Area Network) seamlessly...
Why you need correct road names, addresses during emergency call | 12newsnow.com
BEAUMONT, Texas — If you experience a crime, your first call is typically 911. But what if your address is wrong and dispatchers can't figure out where you are? Your house number and street address are two things you'll give a dispatcher within the first few minutes...
Georgia’s emergency dispatchers will now learn how to give CPR instructions over the phone
ATLANTA — Gov. Brian Kemp has signed a new life-saving bill into law. With a stroke of his pen, Kemp enacted Senate Bill 505, which will require every emergency dispatcher to go through annual CPR instruction training. The law comes after a series of 11Alive...
CPSO implements first visual 911 system in Louisiana
The Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office has its eye on the parish — literally. Concordia Parish Sheriff David Hedrick, along with Chief Deputy Fred Middleton and CFO Tamiko Bloodsaw, informed Ferriday Rotary Club this week on several new programs and the financial...
Motorola Solutions to lead CISA-recognized cybersecurity group for public safety
Motorola Solutions recently announced the establishment of the Public Safety Threat Alliance, which is believed to be the first information sharing and analysis organization (ISAO) dedicated to public safety that is recognized by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure...
Orange County 911 dispatcher meets newborn he helped bring into the world (NY)
GOSHEN – Orange County 911 dispatcher Gerard Lewis Wednesday met the precious newborn baby that he helped save last month during an emergency call. On April 9 Lewis received a call at about 3 a.m. from Derrick Crowder, who was attempting to take his fiancé Andrewa...
Beltrami County Chief Deputy Recognized by MN Emergency Communications Network
Beltrami County Chief Deputy Jarrett Walton was recognized recently for his leadership and expertise by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Emergency Communications Network. The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office was happy to report that Walton was recognized for...
Dispatcher who served two Solano cities retires after 35 years (CA)
Nearly four decades ago, 18-year-old Karen “KC” Bradford embarked on a career as a public safety dispatcher in Solano County. Wednesday, the Vacaville Police Department communications center supervisor bid farewell to her career of 35 years and the brethren she had...
FirstNet Authority Board Approves Investment to Improve In-Building Coverage
During its quarterly meeting May 4, the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) approved reinvestment into the FirstNet network that will help improve indoor coverage for first responders. At the meeting in New Hampshire, the board approved an...
Public Safety Advocate: Thank You, Ed Parkinson; RapidSOS; Call for Public Safety Hall of Fame
Those who have been reading the Advocate for any length of time know I rarely feature individuals in my articles but when I do, it is to impart information that is unique in some way. This first issue in May is written to tell you more about one of the people who made...
City files complaint to keep county from charging for 911 service (NC)
The city of Roanoke Rapids has filed a complaint and motion in Halifax County Superior Court which seeks an order the county provide 911 dispatching services for municipal emergency responders at no charge to the city. City Attorney Geoffrey Davis said this morning,...
Time-wasting 911 calls increasing in Peel Region: report (Canada)
The number of calls to 911 dispatchers in Peel Region grew last year along with the number of calls classified as misuse, according to new figures. A report, which will be considered on Thursday by the Region of Peel’s emergency management program...
SAFECOM and NCSWIC Release LMR/LTE Integration: Best Practices
For almost a century, radios have been the primary means of communication within the public safety community, linking personnel to their dispatchers and each other. Since the advent of Project 25 (P25) more than 30 years ago, land mobile radio (LMR) systems have...
Commission Approve a New 911 Policy (VA)
Wetzel County OEM/911 Director Steve Yoho was present requesting the commission approve a new policy for direct calls for service not initiated from a Call-For-Service to Wetzel County 911. The purpose of the policy would be to ensure that the Telecommunicators are...
Stitt signs 911 dispatcher training bill (OK)
OKLAHOMA CITY — A bill ensuring 911 dispatchers receive training to render first-aid instructions in the hope of saving more lives was signed into law recently by Gov. Kevin Stitt. House Bill 3278, authored by Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, is a clarification of law...
9-1-1 Is Being Upgraded (Canada)
Within a few years, your Enhanced 911 service will be upgraded to New Generation 911 service. The news came to the Corporate Support Standing Committee of Northumberland County council at its May meeting from Health Safety Emergency Risk Manager Ken Stubbings, who...
Washington County Communications Bringing On First Intern in Three Decades (IA)
A high school student will be getting first-hand experience in public safety telecommunications as approved by the Washington County Board of Supervisors Tuesday. Washington County Communications Supervisor Cara Sorrells presented a personnel change request for a...
UPCOMING EVENTREGISTER>
The Inaugural Howard C. Liebengood Foundation Symposium: The Evolving Law Enforcement Landscape & the First Responder Mental Health Crisis
Wednesday, September 30 to Thursday, October 1, 2026
Law enforcement is operating in one of the most demanding environments in modern history. Shifting public expectations, critical incidents, and ongoing organizational pressures have reshaped the profession, and the impact on officer health and agency stability has never been greater. This inaugural symposium convenes law enforcement leaders, mental health and health care experts, researchers, and bipartisan policymakers to explore practical, evidence-informed solutions. Grounded in research and lived experience, this symposium focuses on translating knowledge into action.
Over two days, participants will examine the evolving policing landscape, confront the profession’s mental health crisis—including elevated rates of suicide, PTSD, depression, and anxiety—and identify strategies to strengthen resilience, crisis response, and organizational leadership.
SURVEY
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.
PETITIONS
Congress should reauthorize the FirstNet Authority now.
Support the reauthorization of the FirstNet Authority to preserve public safety’s network
PSBTA UPDATES
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.
LISTEN TO PODCAST
GRANTS
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.
REGISTER
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