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Williamsport police body cameras: positive recommendation (PA)
Soon, the Bureau of Police could have officers affixed with recording video body cameras and in-car camera systems linked for better processing of crimes, getting video evidence and increasing public safety for citizens and police. That’s because on Tuesday,...
Somerset Police Chief Hunt appointed to 911 advisory council (KY)
William Hunt SOMERSET, Ky. — Somerset Police Chief William Hunt attended his first meeting as a member of the Kentucky 911 Advisory Council — an appointment for which he has been selected to represent police chiefs across the state. The Kentucky 911 Advisory Council...
Burgett: NextGen 911 system will require some properties to be renumbered (PA)
The Next Generation 911 will be a positive change for the safety of McKean County residents, but there will be some growing pains getting there. Some property owners in McKean County may have already received letters telling them the new system requires their property...
County approves tech for JCC and sheriff’s office (NE)
Apiece of technology that has been vital in helping local law enforcement keep track of one another will be replaced after several years of service. According to Columbus-Platte County Joint Communications Center (JCC) Communications Director Rachel Pensick, the...
New app allows people to call 911 using only their voice (CO)
A Coloradan created the app and worked with Jefferson County law enforcement agencies during the pilot. ARVADA, Colo. — A new app launching Monday, e-BodyGuard, could help anyone in an emergency call 911 using just their voice. Melissa Faith Hart lives in Colorado....
Minneapolis 911’s interim director admits she has no public safety experience. She’s one of the city’s highest-paid employees (MN)
In the midst of a record-setting violent crime wave in the city of Minneapolis, the person in charge of the city’s 911 center admits she does not have the necessary qualifications to run one of the city’s most important public safety departments. Lynn Anderson was...
Seattle to pay $220000 in last-minute police, dispatcher hiring bonuses authorized by Durkan (WA)
The Seattle City Council voted Tuesday to retroactively authorize $220,000 in hiring bonuses sanctioned by former Mayor Jenny Durkan on her way out of office, condemning Durkan’s actions and calling for reform. Last month, council members became aware of a last-minute...
911 system upgrade needed (NY)
Discussions regarding updates to the 911 Communications System that serves Paducah and McCracken County residents continued on Monday. Members of the 911 Communication Oversight Committee asked representatives of Federal Engineering, Inc., a firm that specializes...
Kootenai County Sheriff blames rising living costs, lagging wages for staffing issues (ID)
Sheriff Robert Norris said wages haven't kept up with booming housing costs in Kootenai County. KOOTENAI COUNTY, Idaho — Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris held a press conference on Wednesday to talk about crime, including the shooting death of a Hauser man on...
Meriden hires new emergency communications director, seeks DPW director (CT)
MERIDEN — City Hall has seen some shuffling of department heads, with a new emergency communications director on board and the city’s current director of public works and engineering set to vacate his position this month. David Boyce was named Emergency Communications...
Franklin County public safety group asks commissioners for money for new computer system (ME)
FARMINGTON — A Franklin County public safety group that uses a computer-aided dispatch and record-keeping program for emergency services asked commissioners Tuesday to reserve $500,000 in a federal grant for a new system. The Information Management Corp., known better...
‘We Need to Know a Location and Wha’s Going on to Help You’; in Fairfax (VA)
In an emergency, calling 9-1-1 and receiving immediate help can literally mean the difference between life and death. And in Fairfax County, these calls are automatically routed to the highly trained people at the Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC)....
Reimagining the 911 Emergency System
Illustration by scarysideofearth via Flickr. Americans make at least 240 million 911 calls each year. Many of these calls result in timely professional responses to medical emergencies, fires, and serious crimes in progress. This everyday excellence—24 hours a day,...
State Patrol to close Wenatchee communications center, shifting trooper dispatch elsewhere (WA)
OLYMPIA — The Wenatchee communications center that dispatches Washington State troopers in the Valley and beyond will close, effective June 30. The Washington State Patrol says it only has half the number of staff in Wenatchee that it needs to take calls and send...
Record calls for Reno dispatch center; how to help when you need help (NV)
RENO, Nev. (KOLO) - Calls to the Reno Public Safety Dispatch Center hit a record in 2021. With more than 500,000 calls across the Reno area and nearly 550,000 officer/firefighter-initiated calls, the Reno Dispatch team plays a critical role in keeping the community...
Public Safety Advocate: FirstNet Ten-Year Anniversary—FCC Chair’s Speech, Awards, and Unified Push-To-Talk
I hear that a good time was had by all who celebrated the ten-year anniversary of the creation of FirstNet. I, on the other hand, unexpectedly spent my Tuesday in a Mayo Hospital operating room while they put final touches on a minor surgery. Still, I was able to...
Misuse of 911: A common occurrence for emergency dispatch centers (GA)
Dialing 911 is a seemingly simple way to ensure you’ll receive help in any emergency, but call centers are seeing a rising trend of residents calling with no emergency present. FOX 31 News obtained audio for of a number of 911 calls made in Dougherty County; one of...
Telecom Alert: Proposed NG911 Funding Plan; Pole Attachment Rulemaking; Georgia PSC Bill; Cybersecurity Advisory; ECF Funding [Vol. XIX, Issue 9]
Rosenworcel Proposes NG911 Funding Plan Last week, Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel gave a speech in which she proposed funding a portion of the transition to Next Generation 911 (“NG911”) services through proceeds from future spectrum auctions. Chairwoman Rosenworcel...
911 dispatchers say stress of the job can lead to staff shortages (ND)
SMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - In an emergency when every second counts, 911 dispatchers across the nation are working overtime. The nation is suffering from a shortage of dispatchers at levels not seen in recent memory. That’s according to those within the profession. 911...
APCO Seeks Working Group Members to Create a New Candidate Standard Titled Common Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) Public Safety GIS Identifiers
Alexandria, VA – The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International has issued a call for participation for working group members to participate in the creation of a candidate standard titled Common Computer Aided Dispatch...
Reauthorization SurveyMORE>
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
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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Public Sector GrantsMORE>
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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