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County dispatchers recognized (CO)

Rio Blanco County’s full time dispatchers are Jordan Long, Brittany Mancini, Bobbie Schmidt, J’Leah Richardson, Jessica Stout and Rhawnie McGruder. | COURTESY PHOTO RBC I National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is sponsored by the Association of Public-Safety...

Cochise County to receive $2.2 Million to fund countywide fire station alerting system (AZ)

Sierra Vista, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) – On Tuesday the Cochise County Board of Supervisors approved the use of $2,240,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to provide county residents with quicker 911 response times through dispatch technology improvements.It’s called the Fire Station Alerting System project. It was proposed by Sierra Vista Fire and Medical Services and Fry Fire District.It will include software installation and technology upgrades for all fire stations and special districts within Cochise County to increase the overall effectiveness and efficiency of dispatch centers.“It benefits the citizens in Chochise County because they’ll get the resources that they need to their emergency that much faster,” Joshua Meeker with Sierra Vista Fire said of the new project.The upgraded system is expected to improve 911 response times by 30 to 90 seconds during emergencies. With the current system, dispatchers have to place callers on hold, in order to get them the resources that they need as quickly as possible.“When someone puts you on hold and you’re in the middle of a crisis or emergency situation obviously that has to be terrifying,” C-com dispatcher Susan Papatrefon said of the soon-to-be upgrade.She added that once installed, it will do wonders for the community. “That inner operability between all of the agencies in the county is just going to put us leaps and bounds across so many other places around the country,” she said.Blueprints have already been drawn up to install the system in 34 stations throughout the county. It’s expected that the project will be in operation in an estimated six to eight months.Copyright 2022 KOLD News 13. All rights reserved.

KCEAA presents new public safety communications tower (WV)

KCEAA Executive Director Monica Mason speaks during a ceremony Thursday. CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority (KCEAA) presented its new Public Safety Communications Tower on Thursday as part of National Public Safety Telecommunications...

911 dispatchers are key link in public safety (FL)

Before she became a dispatcher for Charlotte County, Kimberly Heffley worked in the Collier County court system. “I went from one end of the justice system to the other,” Heffley said. Local law enforcement in Charlotte, DeSoto and Sarasota counties have taken time to...

Idaho dispatchers on the call in times of trouble

"We're here to answer the calls when you're having your worst day," said Jazmine Eguia, a Nampa Police dispatcher. NAMPA, Idaho — For 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 911 dispatchers are on the job answering calls for help in emergencies. "We're here to answer the...

Kern County law enforcement honor 911 dispatchers (CA)

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — Law enforcement agencies here in Kern County are honoring its 911 dispatchers through National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. The Kern County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center operates 24/7 out of this room, answering more than...

Emergency dispatchers: Unseen, but not unheard (OH)

When a 911 call is placed, the odds are good that it is one of the most — if not the most — traumatic days of the caller's life. It is a reality that is not lost on the person on the other end of the phone in the dispatch room, who may be dealing with a caller who is...

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.

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Congress should reauthorize the FirstNet Authority now.

Support the reauthorization of the FirstNet Authority to preserve public safety’s network

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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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