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Drone carrying a defibrillator saves its first heart attack patient in Sweden
A man in Sweden is alive today thanks to — in part — a drone. The 71-year-old had a heart attack while shoveling snow in December and was resuscitated by a nearby doctor after a drone flew in a defibrillator, Everdrone reported Tuesday. Someone having a heart attack...
Calling 9-1-1 in Niagara Region? Be ready to tell a nurse why you need an ambulance (Canada)
In a release, they noted, “Currently, Niagara EMS is experiencing significant operational demands which, if not addressed, could result in a disruption to service. To that end, they said, “Effective immediately and until further notice, Niagara EMS is implementing...
Don’t Ignore New 911 Compliance Regulations for 2022
With all of the distractions in 2021, many people aren’t aware of a new federal requirement that governs 911 calls and the phone systems that originate these calls. These new laws particularly impact the vast number of organizations that migrated to cloud telephone...
$2.2 million proposed for new Brown County 911 communications tower (WI)
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - The Brown County Public Safety Committee voted Tuesday night to use $2.2 million from the American Rescue Plan Act, also known as ARPA, to construct a new, 300-foot 911 communications tower. The budget item now goes before the Brown County...
Biden Renominates Sohn for FCC, Defying Calls to Withdraw Pick
President Joe Biden renominated Democrat Gigi Sohn to serve on the Federal Communications Commission, despite broad Republican opposition. Sohn’s confirmation would secure a Democratic majority at the commission for the first time since Biden took office, allowing it...
Perquimans: Temp 911 sharing with Gates working fine (NC)
HERTFORD — Perquimans County officials said this week that shared 911 operations with Gates County have gone smoothly and all calls are being answered on a timely basis. Because of staffing shortages at the Gates County 911 center, Perquimans County’s 911 center is...
Text-to-911 helps dispatch respond to emergency call (MO)
Moniteau County Emergency Dispatch responded to a 911 call out of Jefferson City on Monday morning during which text-to-911 was successfully used to help secure the scene, according to a news release from emergency dispatch director Kevin Wieberg. According to the...
Radio network buildout continues (NY)
A new antenna site at Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls has been placed on the Niagara County Public Safety Radio Network, Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti announced on Tuesday. The addition to the network enhances radio coverage in that area and represents the final step...
East Lyme public safety building ‘almost there’ (CT)
Jan. 5—EAST LYME — Almost three years after voters first approved the retrofitting of a West Main Street office building into a public safety hub, this might be the month that police and dispatchers finally get to move in. Maybe. "I don't want to be too optimistic,"...
Back up dispatch equipment to move (NE)
Some of the back-up 911 dispatch equipment for Columbus, Platte County and a number of other entities in the region is due for a move and an update. "I'm the chairman of the East Central 911 board," Platte County Emergency Manager Tim Hofbauer said. "Right now there...
Floyd Dispatch answered over 20000 calls for help in 2021 (VA)
Lucas Graham has led Floyd’s team of eight emergency dispatchers since October, a move he said is a testament to Sheriff Brian Craig’s efforts to secure competitive pay and benefits for Floyd County Sheriff’s Office employees. Graham graduated from Floyd County High...
How Emergency Services Can Improve in 2022 With NG911
For the past 50 years, 911 has remained relatively unchanged. The need to upgrade is evident as technology evolves and the demand for more reliable emergency response grows. Although 911 is vital to every community, NG911 can help make it better. As the nationwide...
Now is Not the Time to Change 911 System (CA)
Last week I was forwarded a newsletter from the Montecito Association. I was struck by the recommendation to use the 10-digit phone number for the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s landline rather than 911 when reporting an emergency in Montecito, specifically Coast Village...
Fort Worth Police Audit Faults Response Times, 911 Issues (TX)
The Fort Worth police department did not meet its own response-time goals in nearly half of high-priority emergency calls and nearly one in four 911 callers reached a recording and hung up before an operator picked up, according to a city audit obtained by NBC 5. The...
‘Level zero’: ABC15 investigates ambulance response times (AZ)
PRESCOTT, AZ — On June 30, dispatchers inside the Prescott Regional Dispatch Center repeated the same thing again and again. “(Unit 1201) is en route with a 41-minute ETA, and we’re in ‘level zero’ again.” “And that brings us back down to to ‘level zero.’” “I have no...
AT&T, Verizon reject U.S. request to delay 5G wireless plans
WASHINGTON — Verizon and AT&T have rejected a request by the U.S. government to delay the rollout of next-generation wireless technology. A joint letter Sunday from the telecommunications giants to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Steve Dickson,...
Page County ECC experiencing issues, impact on 911 calls (VA)
HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - Page County Emergency Communications Center has announced that CenturyLink/Lumen is experiencing issues that are affecting 911 lines in the county. If you call 911, you may be re-routed to one of the Page County ECC administrative lines....
Staff shortages force N.C. EMS agency to ask FEMA for ‘ambulance strike teams’
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mecklenburg EMS has requested “ambulance strike teams” as it faces a more transmissible COVID-19 variant, an ongoing staffing shortage and an increase in service calls. As of Monday, 33 Medic employees are in isolation due to COVID-19, the agency’s...
Omega to Echo: Kenosha Fire Department assigns levels to EMS calls (WI)
Omega. Alpha. Bravo. Charlie. Delta. Echo. Kenosha Fire Department is now utilizing these codes to classify medical service calls as a safety initiative as emergency units are dispatched. Division Chief of EMS Nicholas Eschmann said whenever someone calls 911 for...
New tool puts 911 on faster tracking (KS)
If you're thinking about pulling a “Crank Yanker” trick on Lyon County 911 operators, think again. The Lyon County Emergency Communications Center announced a new tool Sunday to track incoming calls. A Facebook statement said it can “possibly see your 911 call before...
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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