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Franklin County Emergency Communications Center implements “What3Words” app (KS)
The Franklin County Emergency Communications Center is hoping an app that divides the world into three-meter squares will help emergency responders find callers in need who may not know their exact location. About two years ago, FCECC dispatcher Charli Hall found out...
Ralls County 911 sales tax to sunset temporarily (MO)
NEW LONDON, Mo. — The Ralls County Emergency Services 911 Board of Directors agreed to temporarily cease collecting its 1% sales tax starting May 1 during its meeting Wednesday. Voters approved increasing the 911 sales tax to 1% — the maximum allowed by state statute...
911 under new leadership (MI)
As of Jan. 8, Hillsdale County Central Dispatch is under new leadership in the wake of the retirement of long-serving Director Doug Sanford. Deputy Director Tracy Peter also left with Sanford with the intent of attending a police academy to fulfill his life-long goal...
Pasadena Police Respond to Over 5,700 9-1-1 Calls in December (CA)
Pasadena police reported officers stayed busy responding to just over 9,300 calls for service in December, capping off the year at 114,454 calls for service from residents of which 62,330 came through 9-1-1. Pasadena Police Lt. William Grisafe said the...
New Scott County 911 dispatch supervisor helps out hometown (MN)
Growing up with family members who worked in public safety, Ashlee Sames always thought it made sense for her to follow a similar path. Her dad worked in the fire service for many years and several cousins were police officers. “It was just kind of something that I...
Why are communities going to a consolidated dispatch center? (NY)
Why are Cuyahoga Falls and other communities looking to form a consolidated dispatch center? About a decade ago, the state tried to limit the number of dispatch centers per county, based on population — but the deadline to do so has long since passed, said Summit's...
Design of consolidated 911, emergency operations center taking shape in Lake County (FL)
Planning for Lake County's consolidated 911/emergency operations center is well underway, with details of what should be included in the $40 million facility and how it will be funded on the horizon. The Lake County Board on Friday got its first overview of a regional...
Op-Ed: The first lesson of fielding 911 calls: Don’t be alarmist (CA)
Fourteen-year-old Valentina Orellana-Peralta was shopping with her mother two days before Christmas when she was killed by a stray bullet fired by police in the North Hollywood Burlington store. The question of why this tragedy happened falls not only on the officer’s...
Pinellas County in need of 911 dispatchers to fill vacant positions (FL)
Across the country, 911 Call Centers are dealing with short staffing. Pinellas County is no exception. PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — 911 call centers across the country are in need of applicants. Telecommunication dispatchers are in high demand with staffing shortages and...
Columbia Heights police, staff discuss public safety in ‘Roll Call’ podcast
The Columbia Heights Police Department is filling the airwaves with a podcast, “Roll Call,” that was launched last March in an effort to inform residents and other listeners about various public safety topics and issues. The public safety personnel on the “Roll Call”...
Miller retires after more than three decades as communications officer (MD)
OAKLAND — Last month, Byron Miller retired after over 31 years as a public safety communications officer for Garrett County. He started out as a volunteer with the Northern Rescue Squad in 1984, which led to acquaintances with the current 911 dispatchers, which is...
Armstrong County adds ability for those who need help to send text messages to 911 (PA)
Armstrong County residents now have the option of sending a text message to report an emergency to 911, public safety officials announced Tuesday, Dec. 28. While the ability to text could be valuable in a scenario when speaking to a dispatcher might escalate a...
Public Safety Advocate: Resolutions to Enhance Public-Safety Communications – Part One
I trust you and yours had a great holiday season! As we move on to 2022, hopes are that Covid will finally be under control and we will watch our economy roar back to life. Now it is time for making New Year’s Resolutions with the best of intentions (but most of us...
WCNC-MEDIC facing 911 dispatcher shortage, putting more stress on the system (NC)
MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — Staffing shortages have been a common and at times debilitating side effect of the pandemic. Mecklenburg County, like many other communities across the country, is facing a 911 operator shortage. When someone dials 911, they are counting on...
City of Detroit 911 to Implement NICE Inform Elite to Improve Service to Citizens and Communities (MI)
NICE (Nasdaq: NICE) today announced that the City of Detroit (Michigan) 911 communications center will be deploying NICE Inform Elite to digitally transform processes around tracking performance metrics, performing quality assurance reviews, and reconstructing...
CAHOOTS: Can a groundbreaking public safety model work in Ottawa? (Canada)
A man is having a mental crisis in a public place. Bystanders notice and dial 911, but since the man seems to offer no threat to others, no police car with blaring sirens arrives. Instead, a white van pulls up and two people wearing street clothes emerge. They ask the...
New mental health hotline to offer alternative to calling 9-1-1 in Montgomery County (OH)
Starting January 1, Montgomery county residents will be able to call a new hotline for mental health and substance use crises. The Crisis Now hotline will operate 24 hours, 7 days a week. Callers will be able to speak with trained behavioral health professionals who...
North Carolina Deputies Investigating After Dangerous ‘Swatting’
Police in North Carolina are searching for the person they say is responsible for a "swatting" call that sent authorities to a family's home earlier this week. The Burke County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call just before 2 p.m. Tuesday (January 4) from an...
What it takes to be Manistee County’s emergency manager (MI)
MANISTEE COUNTY — Michael Machen, Manistee County’s emergency management coordinator, has learned over the last nine months just how many people are involved in the safety of the visitors and residents in the area. “I think the thing that’s been most eye-opening to me...
“Beyond the Voice of 9-1-1 Dispatch” (TX)
When Terra Culley became a part-time dispatcher nearly 24 years ago, she had no idea it would lead to her penning monthly newspaper columns that now have been compiled into a book. November 29 was the release date for “Beyond the Voice of 9-1-1 Dispatch.” It is a...
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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