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Open Source: Why has the Knox County 911 line gone down recently? (OH)
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is in response to a reader-submitted question through Open Source, a platform where readers can submit questions to the staff. MOUNT VERNON — The 911 phone line in Knox County has gone down twice in the last few weeks. The reason why? On Nov....
Automation To Help Arapahoe Sheriff’s Dispatch Staffing Shortage (CO)
ARAPAHOE COUNTY, CO — A new automated phone system in Arapahoe County is expected to ease wait times and help with staffing shortages in the sheriff's dispatch division. Residents who phone the sheriff's non-emergency number, 303-795-4711, will soon hear a new...
Local 911 Center in Need of Employees as they have 16 Vacancies (PA)
“911 calls could take longer to answer, longer to process, longer to be dispatched,” John Grappy, the Director of Public Safety for Erie County said. “There’s an expectation that when someone is calling 911 during their greatest need that we’re going to have adequate...
Public Safety Advocate: Rural Broadband, ESChat and TAK.gov, Vision Conference
Rural Broadband As most of you know by now, the infrastructure bill was finally passed by the House last week. It had already been passed by the Senate and is now on its way to the White House for the President’s signature. This bill includes $65 Billion in funding...
New dispatch center opens in Williston (ND)
WILLISTON, N.D. — The old Sloulin Field airport terminal in Williston is now the home of two emergency services for the region. Starting Tuesday, the Upper Missouri River Regional Dispatch Center is taking calls through the state-of-the-art facility. The Williams...
Gov. Beshear plans historic investment to improve public safety (KY)
FRANKFORT, Ky. (WBKO) - Today, Gov. Andy Beshear unveiled part of his upcoming budget plan, which he said makes historic investments in law enforcement so the commonwealth can be a leader in improving public safety. The Governor’s two-year budget plan provides...
Governor Hochul Congratulates Chemung County on Achieving State Emergency Management Accreditation (NY)
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the Chemung County Office of Fire and Emergency Management has received accreditation through New York's Local Emergency Management Accreditation Program. Chemung County joins 13 other emergency management organizations in...
Wilton police captain: Decision on new emergency radio system to come within two weeks (CT)
WILTON — The town’s first responders, including its police department, fire department and emergency medical services, are set to make a decision within the next two weeks on whether they will present a plan for a new emergency communications system or fall in line...
Public safety collaboration platform gets DHS investment – GCN
Public safety collaboration platform gets DHS investment The Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate has awarded Mobility 4 Public Safety $1.5 million to advance its dedicated messaging and collaboration tool for first...
San Diego police, fire departments to get new radios under $51M contract (CA)
SAN DIEGO — San Diego police and fire department radios that are now considered obsolete will be replaced under a $51 million contract the City Council approved Tuesday, city officials said. The contract with Motorola Solutions Inc. will replace more than 7,000 radios...
Upper Missouri River Regional Dispatch Center in Williston (ND)
Operations are underway at the Upper Missouri River Regional Dispatch Center (UMRRDC) in Williston. The City of Williston and Williams County have been planning for a new space to house the Williams County/Williston Emergency Management EOC and its associated offices...
Santa Barbara County emergency dispatchers report issues receiving 911 calls (CA)
SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Emergency dispatchers in Santa Barbara County are having problems receiving 911 calls from cell phone users. The Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management said the issue has been identified and cellular carriers are working to get the...
Ron Fink: Cooperative Dispatch Agreement; Critical Lifesaving Minutes Can be Saved (CA)
When providing emergency services to a community and/or region, it is only common sense that the citizens receive service promptly. In the Lompoc Valley, three separate and distinct organizations provide emergency medical response service. They are the Lompoc City...
Houston firefighters union complains about communications with private medics at Astroworld concert (TX)
Houston firefighters stationed outside of the Astroworld concert venue Friday night were not in radio communications with the emergency medical providers hired by the concert organizers as the deadly crowd swell unfolded, the city's fire chief told CNN on Tuesday....
Public Safety, Critical Infrastructure Highlight Importance of Backup Power in Disasters
Public Safety, Critical Infrastructure Highlight Importance of Backup Power in Disasters Public safety, business and critical infrastructure officials emphasized the importance of backup power and collaboration between wireless providers and energy providers during a...
Knox County Dispatch encouraging residents to sign up for Smart911 (IN)
KNOX COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - In March of 2020, the pandemic was on most folks' minds. This meant the rollout for Knox County's Smart911 was slow at best. News 10 had the chance to speak with dispatch director Rob McMullen. He says they had planned...
Harkins looks out for fellow dispatch workers as Emergency Dispatch Board President (CA)
If you ask Officer Scott Harkins, he is “a man of many hats.” Although Harkins spends a lot of his time as both a School Resource Officer for the Moniteau County R-1 School District and as an assistant girls basketball coach, he said he always makes sure he has time...
St. Albans Police Department’s new building upgrades its service (VT)
ST. ALBANS CITY — After four years of planning and reconstruction, the St. Albans Police Department has a modern building. If visitors are buzzed further into the building, they will then have access to an expanded waiting area, where a public bathroom is nearby. At...
911 operator coaches 12-year-old girl through helping mom safely deliver baby brother (FL)
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A St. Lucie County Fire District 911 Telecommunicator answered the call of her life over the weekend. Leeann Suit tells CBS12 News she has answered many calls in her nearly 18 years as a 911 dispatcher. But, none have been quite...
Atlanta 911 operations transitioning back into primary facilities after water leak, mayor says (GA)
Atlanta Police said a water leak caused the problem on Sunday night. ATLANTA — Atlanta's 911 operations are moving back into their main facilities after they were forced to make adjustments due to a water leak at the Public Safety Center Sunday night. The water leak...
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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