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The Park Police’s ‘Dilapidated’ D.C. Dispatch Office Puts Safety at Risk, an IG Says
The poor condition of the U.S. Park Police’s dispatch center in Washington, D.C., and management issues such as understaffing result in “significant safety concerns,” a watchdog found recently. The Interior Department inspector general office, led by Inspector General...
Shortage of dispatchers leaving more 911 callers on hold (CA)
In an emergency when seconds count, a FOX 11 investigation has found that 911 callers are burning seconds, even minutes on hold. Experts say it's a troubling trend nationwide, hold times getting longer because of a shortage of dispatchers. We worked with our...
Changes coming for 911 callers in Wake County (NC)
Wake County is switching up how it handles 911 calls, employing nurses to help answer the phones. People who call 911 for something that only turns out to be a small health problem could end up riding in an ambulance and paying an expensive bill afterward, but the...
Broadcastify CEO: Chicago Police Will Be Broadcasting Their 13 Encrypted Zones Officially on Broadcastify (IL)
Chicago Police Department SUV blocking an intersection in the Albany Park neighborhood in Chicago. Lindsay Blanton, CEO of Broadcastify.com and RadioReference.com announced Tuesday morning, February 22, 2022 on the websites’ Chicago Metro Area Discussion forum that...
Allegheny County 911 Dispatchers Union May Stage A Strike (PA)
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — They’re the vital link between victims in need of help and their first responders, but 911 dispatchers said months of mandatory 12-hour shifts have put themselves and the public at risk. “They’re doing the best that they can do, but you all know...
Arlington builds call system to divert people in mental health crises from jail (VA)
Arlington 911 dispatcher at the county’s Emergency Communications Center (via Arlington County) Arlington County is developing an alert system aimed at improving its emergency response to behavioral health crises. The aim of the system, dubbed the Marcus Alert, is to...
Report says Park Police dispatch center has outdated equipment, mold, inability to monitor alarms (DC)
Last month, an alarm went off in a historic building in Arlington National Cemetery after a sprinkler pipe broke. An emergency signal was sent to the U.S. Park Police dispatch center in southeast Washington. But the dispatch center receives security alarms on a...
Santa Cruz 911 center sees impacts in COVID-19’s second year (CA)
SANTA CRUZ — The Santa Cruz County emergency response dispatch center has its thumb on the pulse of regional police and fire trends, documenting the second year of the pandemic’s impact on local services in its latest report. The Santa Cruz County Regional 9-1-1...
Firefighters, 911 Telecommunicator Receive Awards For Saving Man From Burning Home (TN)
Three public safety workers from Whitfield County received Life Saving Awards after combining forces to rescue a 71-year-old man from a burning home in January. Honored with plaques for going “above and beyond the call of duty,” according to Commission Chairman...
New Westport, Fairfield dispatch center is ‘model of the future’ (CT)
FAIRFIELD — When an emergency call comes in, a dispatcher takes down the information, shares it with the other needed departments and sends out the needed responders. But with the new Westport-Fairfield regional dispatch center all of that will be streamlined,...
1-in-4 calls to Halton 9-1-1 are mistakes in Burlington, Milton, Oakville (Canada)
Another two dozen happened today (Feb. 25) following the Amber Alert and Halton Regional Police want to reduce that number. Halton police are asking residents to be mindful of how they store their electronic devices as new emergency features on both iOS and Android...
‘It just doesn’t make sense’: Safety advocate on former head of DC 911 system’s return to post
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has announced that Karima Holmes will be returning to the Office of Unified Communications as acting director, less than two years after an audit determined the city’s 911 system fell short of national standards. Bowser made the announcement...
Some Connecticut police departments experiencing technical issues with emergency 911
Police stations say to call the "routine" phone number if you have trouble reporting an emergency. HARTFORD, Conn. — Multiple police departments in the state say they are experiencing problems with their emergency 9-1-1 calls. Two town police departments, Waterbury...
The County has plans to build a new EOC and 911 Center in Sapulpa (OK)
The plans for a new Emergency Operations Center were first addressed by Creek County Commissioners back in August of 2021 when the feasibility study was sent. Now, the designs for the building are back. The new building designs include a covered carport area for...
City council approves agreement to share costs for new regional 911 network (NE)
Coming on the heels of Madison County’s dispatching merger with Norfolk, a new regional approach to dispatching is taking place across the Northeast Nebraska region. Norfolk Police Chief Don Miller explained the new approach Tuesday evening to the Norfolk City...
Westfield Fire using new app to save time during emergencies (IN)
The Westfield Fire Department launched a free app this week to allow residents to share information about their household to help fire personnel respond better in the event of an emergency. Westfield Fire has been working with technology partner First Due to release...
Changes to Lebanon emergency dispatch system could increase response times (TN)
LEBANON, Tenn. (WKRN) — The mayor of Lebanon is making changes to the city’s emergency dispatch system, but not all public safety leaders are on board. Right now, Wilson County 911 dispatchers make calls directly to the Lebanon Fire Department, but Mayor Rick Bell’s...
Illinois bill would recognize 9-1-1 dispatchers as first responders
Emergency dispatchers would be considered first responders under new legislation being considered in Springfield. Senate Bill 3127 would amend various laws to include emergency medical dispatchers in reference to first responders, giving them the same recognition...
Rosenworcel proposes using spectrum-auction proceeds to fund NG911 deployments
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel this week proposed that future auction proceeds be used to fund the technological migration of U.S. public-safety answering points (PSAPs) from legacy systems to IP-based next-generation 911 (NG911) platforms. Rosenworcel unveiled...
Upgrades to 911 call centers expected by June (IL)
WOOD RIVER – Equipment upgrades to Madison County’s 911 call centers have been delayed because of supply chain issues, but a tentative schedule has been set up for work to begin. Madison County 911 Director Dana Burris told members of the Emergency Telephone System...
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.
PETITIONSMORE>
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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