Top Comm Center Headlines
News & Articles
The impact of FirstNet on tribal communities in a post 9/11 world
By Margaret Gutierrez, National Tribal Government Liaison, First Responder Network Authority Twenty years ago, the 9/11 terrorist attacks on our nation revealed fundamental problems with our emergency communications systems. Police officers, firefighters, and...
First responder shortage reaches Eastern Kentucky
PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WYMT) - The country is experiencing a shortage of first responders. That shortage has reached Eastern Kentucky. In Pikeville, firefighters, police officers, EMS workers, and dispatchers have all been hard to come by, but some have resolved the issue...
Harbor Springs’ city manager to serve on CCE 911 board (MI)
HARBOR SPRINGS — Victor Sinadinoski, Harbor Springs city manager, will represent both that city and Petoskey on the Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Emmet 911 Central Dispatch Authority board. The new appointment follows the departure of Rob Straebel, the former Petoskey...
Voters approve sales tax increase for Kitsap 911, change to medical examiner (WA)
Kitsap voters approved adding a sales-and-use tax of one-tenth of 1% to replace Kitsap 911's emergency radio system, according to initial results reported by the Kitsap County Auditor's Office on Tuesday night. In Tuesday's result, 66.3% voted "yes" to raise the sales...
Interim picked as permanent director of Weld County Regional Communications Center (CO)
Nov. 1—After a nationwide search, the interim director will take on the official title as the new director of the Weld County Regional Communications Center. Tina Powell will step up as the director of county's communications center after serving as the interim...
City of Huntsville looking to hire 911 call takers (AL)
These call talkers would work side by side with dispatchers but would not actually be dispatchers. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Madison County 911 Center is looking to hire more call takers. These call takers would work side by side with dispatchers but would not actually...
‘Where is your emergency?’ | New Zealand
Our Police Emergency Communications Centres are marking a milestone, celebrating 25 years of delivering critical emergency services for both public safety and the safety of frontline police officers. While 111 calls have been taken for many years, it wasn’t until 1996...
Expanding Rural Broadband Coverage Through FirstNet
A unique public-private partnership provides broadband for public safety services and for rural areas that have been traditionally underserved or unserved. By Mark L. Ryckman, ICMA-CM; and Kenzie Capece | Nov 01, 2021 | PM MAGAZINE For the first time,...
A look Inside Durham’s 911 Call Center: Dispatcher Dwayne McIntire (NC)
Meet #Durham911 Dispatcher Dwayne McIntire, who shares more about his career serving in our Durham Emergency Communications Center. Watch for more videos coming soon in our series as we talk about the work, the challenges, and the rewards of serving in the Bull City....
Emergency Dispatcher Helps Deliver Baby In Wauwatosa (WI)
WAUWATOSA, WI—A 911 emergency dispatcher helped deliver a baby in Wauwatosa. Dispatcher Rhondi Love assisted a Wauwatosa family deliver a baby over the phone utilizing Emergency Medical Dispatch, according to the Wauwatosa Police Department. EMD is a system that...
EC Emergency Services receives $1.2 million Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant (NY)
Fri, Oct 29th 2021 10:50 am NYS grant aids in enhancing emergency response, improving capability, infrastructure development New York State Homeland Security and Emergency Services agency recently announced it awarded Erie County a grant for $1.2 million under the NYS...
Dispatcher Wayne Breitbarth recognized with ‘Making a Difference’ Award (MN)
WASECA, Minn. (KEYC) - Wayne Breitbarth, a dispatcher for the Waseca County Emergency Communications Center, was recognized for his dedication to duty. Breitbarth was awarded the 2021 “Making a Difference” Award Wednesday evening at Arrowwood Resort in Alexandria. The...
Kentucky communities struggling with EMS staffing (KY)
Concerns about long waits for an ambulance in some Eastern Kentucky counties hit home for Jim Dockery’s family after he started having chest pains one evening in August. His longtime companion, Lisa Gibson Koch, called 9-1-1 and her son, Daniel Koch, rushed to...
AMR Evansville emergency dispatcher dies from COVID (IN)
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) - The American Medical Response of Evansville community lost a member on Friday. According to a social media post, Charles Janis passed away after a hard-fought battle with COVID Charles was the husband of Brittany Janis, an EMT also with AMR...
The City of Albany Face 911 Dispatch Shortages (NY)
Steve Smith, Public Information Officer for The Albany Police Department sent us a statement. " All 911 calls continue to be answered thanks to our partnership with the New York State Police and Albany County Sheriff. We are currently training seven new dispatchers...
Mother speaks out after urgent calls to 911 about child’s medical emergency go unanswered (NY)
(NEW YORK) — Some 911 call centers across the country say they are experiencing staffing shortages. Some centers are struggling with as much as 30% to 50% vacancies, according to reports from the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch. “We have actually been...
BLOCKING THE CELL BLOCK: 911 CALLS OUT OF PARCHMAN TO COUNTY DISPATCH PUT CAR WARRANTY SPAMMERS TO SHAME (MS)
Industrious inmates are inundating the county’s emergency phone center with non-emergency calls in an attempt to reach outside contacts, and Sheriff James Haywood wants it to stop. “It's causing our system to get overloaded. They're calling...
Hanceville passes resolution elevating 911 workers to ‘first responders’ (AL)
Oct. 30—HANCEVILLE — Although it doesn't come with more pay or better benefits, the Hanceville City Council showed its support and respect for the work of its 911 operators by adopting a resolution that recognizes them as "first responders." The resolution is part of...
Seattle to Offer Hiring Bonuses of Up to $25K to Attract More Police Officers, 911 Dispatchers (WA)
Sarah Grace Taylor / The Seattle Times As hundreds of unvaccinated city employees are placed on leave or facing termination, the city of Seattle will start offering hiring bonuses to Seattle Police Department and 911 dispatch hires to address "critical ongoing...
Mississippi 911 dispatcher doesn’t let disability define him (MS)
No matter the size of a man, he’ll always start off with big dreams for the life ahead of him. As he should. As we all should. Alan “Trey” Henderson was just such a boy — he knew exactly what he wanted to do since he was 12 years old. The thought of being an emergency...
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
Subscribe to Comm Center News
Get the latest News, Articles, and Insights from AllThingsECC.com weekly in our newsletter.
PARTNERS
Stay Up to Date With The Latest News & Updates
Share Your Story
Join our community to share your experience and connect and collaborate with colleagues.
Join Our Newsletter
Get the latest News, Articles, and Insights from AllThingsECC.com weekly in our newsletter.
Follow Us
Stay connected with the latestEmergency Communications News, Articles & Information.



