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3G Cell Network Shutdowns Could Affect 9-1-1 Calls (PA)
HARRISBURG PA – Mobile carriers will begin to decommission their comparatively slower 3G cellular networks this year, some by next month. That’s prompted Pennsylvania officials to remind people with older-model cell phones to prepare for the possibility that...
Sagadahoc County pitches $5 million public safety radio upgrade in Topsham (ME)
The Sagadahoc County Emergency Management Agency plans to upgrade its aging radio infrastructure, which might improve communications among first responders. The Topsham Police and Fire Department officials Thursday will seek the Topsham Selectboard’s approval to allow...
Officials reflect on importance of new Huntsville-Madison County 9-1-1 Center (AL)
Huntsville Fire & Rescue Chief Howard “Mac” McFarlen is in a unique position. Each day, his department employs cutting-edge technology to save lives and property, but he also remembers the old days. Lee Gradford, who has chaired the Huntsville-Madison County 9-1-1...
Sheriff Promoting Text-to-911 Option For Emergency Help (MN)
(KNSI) – The Benton County Sheriff’s Office is reminding Minnesotans if they need help and can’t dial 911; they can text 911. Public safety officials say the service has been around for two to three years, but it’s a technological advancement that some may not know...
Richland County set to unveil new 9-1-1 dispatch center on Wednesday (OH)
MADISON TOWNSHIP -- Richland County will "publicly unveil" its newly remodeled $1 million 9-1-1 dispatch center inside the Peoples Community Center. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned Wednesday at 11 a.m., followed by a televised virtual tour of the new facility,...
911 center checks year-end numbers (MO)
The board governing 911 operations at the St. Francois County Joint Communications Center heard about finances, year-end call totals and the Simms Mountain Tower project during its virtual meeting last Wednesday. Board member and finance committee chairwoman Ginger...
5 Pressing Questions Surrounding Enterprise E-911 in 2022
Federal legislation (Kari’s Law and RAY BAUM’s Act) and their mutually inclusive regulations, including finding, routing, and reporting an E-911 emergency event, have phased into place over the last few years. The final requirements of the RAY BAUM’s Act, dispatchable...
Parlier threatens to cut off Coalinga contract for emergency dispatch services over hiring of ex-chief (CA)
The cities of Parlier and Coalinga are in the midst of a heated battle over, of all things, radios. The two communities, located on opposite ends of Fresno County, have a contract to share Coalinga-based emergency dispatch services for public safety needs. The...
County commissioners approve new communication tower purchase (KS)
At the January 10 meeting of the Pratt County Commission, Heather Morgan, Pratt County Economic Development Consultant, discussed the potential for Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to be used for the purchase of a new communication tower to be placed at...
REMSA Health announces partnership with Truckee Meadows Fire (NV)
On Jan. 5, the Regional Emergency Medical Service Authority (REMSA Health) and Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (TMFPD) announced a partnership aimed at enhancing emergency services for the Northern Nevada region. The partnership comes as a response to Washoe...
Former 9-1-1 Director sues Trumbull County for age discrimination (OH)
Trumbull County and its three commissioners are named in an age discrimination civil rights lawsuit filed by former county 911 director Ernest Cook. Filed in U.S. District Court, the attorney for the 70-year-old Cook alleges that he was removed a year ago from the job...
Kingman City Council to vote on dispatch software add-on (AZ)
KINGMAN – The Kingman City Council will consider purchasing a Fire Priority Dispatch software add-on for the Kingman Regional 911 Dispatch Center at the Tuesday, Jan. 18 meeting. It’s set for 5 p.m. in council chambers at 310 N. 4th St. The city’s communications...
Sheriff’s Department encrypts radio communications; critics say the move will reduce transparency (CA)
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department last week encrypted its radio communications, blocking the public from listening to information about public safety matters in real time. The department is the latest law enforcement agency in the county and state to cut off...
Startup for the new 800 MHz emergency radio system delayed further (MI)
Final tweaks to the new 800 MHz county emergency radio system are underway. "We thought the to go-live date would be at the end of February. But it's going to be a little bit later," Branch County Administrator bud Norman told the 911 board this week. Contractor...
New technology in the works for 9-1-1 system (VA)
Texting, videos and images will be a part of a new 9-1-1 system being rolled out over the next three years. E-Comm, which handles police, fire and ambulance calls, is being mandated by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to overhaul...
Healdsburg Police 911 dispatchers are answering most of their calls within 15 seconds (CA)
In the last three years, the Healdsburg Police Department Dispatch Center successfully answered at least 95% of its incoming calls within 15 seconds, according to a new dispatch center data report released last month. In total, over the last few years, the dispatch...
Rural ambulance response times not quick enough (Canada)
Some rural communities are facing hour-long waits for ambulances as first-responder coverage becomes stretched across the province. Last month, Alberta Municipalities, formerly known as the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA), passed two resolutions...
GM 911 Receives Sixth Re-accreditation for Fire Dispatch (NC)
Guilford Metro 911 received its sixth re-accreditation from the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) as an Accredited Center for Emergency (ACE) Fire Dispatch. “Maintaining this accreditation is a priority for us at Guilford Metro 911. It shows our...
Public safety, critical-infrastructure entities make 4.9 GHz proposals to the FCC – Urgent Comms
Public-safety use of the 4.9 GHz spectrum band should be protected via a priority-and-preemption rules that allows sharing with critical-infrastructure entities, but exactly how this scheme is implemented remains a topic of considerable debate, according to dozens of...
‘The baby is coming now!’: Dispatcher helps Akron couple deliver baby boy (OH)
AKRON, Ohio — An Akron couple is thankful for an area dispatcher after she helped them deliver their baby. The couple, who does not wish to be identified, had the baby earlier than expected at their home in the Akron area. The wife told the husband she was having...
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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