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Richardson County PSAP request denied (NE)
The Nebraska Public Service Commissions 911 Service System Advisory Committee at their August 14 meeting recommended that Richardson County not connect to the 911 service system as a secondary communication center at this time. Richardson County had requested the...
The severity of DC’s 911 outages is coming into focus — and it appears there’s no quick fix
DC's dispatch system has had 18 disruptions since December. One of those outages coincided with the death of a 5-month-old baby whose family said their first 911 call was not answered READ FULL ARTICLE
I-Team: Cleveland police dispatcher punished for misusing city computer
The FOX 8 I-Team found a Cleveland police dispatcher has been disciplined for what she did with a city computer. It might be something you’ve done at work. Records show dispatcher Makeeba Greer was punished for looking up a word game on a city...
Centralia Mayor Cox meets with Centralia Police Department dispatchers (MO)
‘Trying to clear up misinformation’ A topic that has been simmering in the Centralia City Hall council chambers for almost 20 years is quickly coming to a boil.
DC 911 call center workers offered $800 bonuses for doing this one thing
There are more signs of trouble at DC's embattled 911 call center. WUSA9 has learned employees are calling out so often that the Office of Unified Communications (OUC) is offering bonuses for showing up to work READ FULL ARTICLE
Kent-based Valley Communications Center earns Team of the Year Award (WA)
Kent-based Valley Communications Center (911 calls and dispatch) recently received the 2024 Team of the Year Award from the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International. The employees received the award Aug. 5 during the international conference...
Gasconade County first to install new Next Generation 911 system (MO)
Dialing the number 911 instead of a seven-digit number for emergencies started in Gasconade County in 1995 and the county is now implementing a new system to better connect callers to first responders in emergencies. READ FULL ARTICLE
DC leaders call for cuts to OUC funding amid ongoing issues, outages
WASHINGTON (7News) — 7News has been pushing the Office of Unified Communications (OUC) for answers and a resolution to the agency’s ongoing issues. 7News dug into the agency’s backup plan and when or if it was activated during an outage Friday.
WEST COMM Dispatch Center Aims to Enhance Public Safety Communications (TX)
The WEST COMM Dispatch Center, a hub for emergency communications, plays a pivotal role in ensuring public safety for multiple communities and governmental entities.
DC’s Office of Unified Communications recorded a second technical issue in less than a month
The entity reported a technological disturbance that lasted around 20 minutes on Friday. The OUC says they transitioned to manual dispatch. WASHINGTON — The Washington DC's Emergency Dispatch Center, or Office of United Communications, experienced a technical system...
West Hartford Police, Dispatchers Ink New Labor Deals (CT)
Two major public safety unions recently inked new pacts with the Town of West Hartford, with local officials unanimously approving both contracts. READ FULL ARTICLE
Elk County 911 radio upgrades in jeopardy due to property owners’ legal dispute (PA)
RIDGWAY — An emergency communications tower at the center of a property rights dispute is complicating Elk County’s public safety planning as a key federal funding deadline looms. At dispute is a 106-foot tall temporary 911 tower owned and operated by the county....
5-month-old’s death prompts review of DC 911
The Office of Unified Communications said it was investigating the call and would provide more information when the review was completed. WASHINGTON — The agency that handles 911 calls in D.C. says it is “carefully reviewing” its response to an emergency call Friday...
Westmoreland returns part of grant to pay for 911 upgrades; blames bookkeeping error (PA)
Westmoreland County has returned nearly 75% of a federal grant meant to pay for mobile backups of the county’s 911 dispatch system. Officials said bookkeeping errors impacted the $529,000 project to purchase the mobile 911 dispatch units. Those units could be...
Temple’s dispatch system gets major upgrade for first time in 20 years (PA)
Now, the computer system that dispatchers use to answer calls and make contact with Temple Police, is getting completely replaced for the first time in more than 20 years. “This new system will improve public safety within the Temple community,” said Police...
Charter to Pay $15M Settlement to FCC
Washington, DC — July 29, 2024 — The Federal Communications Commission today announced a $15 million settlement with Charter Communications to resolve an Enforcement Bureau investigation into the company’s compliance with 911 and network outage notification rules....
Can combining Kansas City dispatch reduce 911 wait times? (MO)
After multiple attempts over the past few years to speed up 911 response times in Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas is putting forward another solution. “I think once and for all, we need to make sure that we've addressed the 911 issue,” Lucas said.
FCC approves rules for service providers delivering NG911 emergency communications
FCC commissioners last week voted unanimously to approve an order designed to ease the transition to IP-based next-generation 911 (NG911) technology by providing originating service providers with nationwide rules about their responsibilities and deadlines to deliver...
New 911 center aims to address turnover, burnout in a high-stress profession (NM)
The walls of Santa Fe's new Regional Emergency Communications Center are intentionally painted a mellow blue. There's a "quiet room" outfitted with two neck massagers, offering a place where dispatchers can decompress — away, if only for a few moments, from computer...
Oakland voting on possible $6 million contract to bring ‘critical’ software to police, 911 center (CA)
OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- The Oakland Police Department is one step closer to getting a huge technology upgrade that could cost taxpayers millions of dollars. It's being voted on Tuesday night. Oakland is in dire need of new technology.
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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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