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FCC proposes georouting rules for 988 calls to suicide, crisis lifeline (D.C.)
FCC commissioners last week voted unanimously to propose rules that would require carriers to provide a georouting solution for all wireless calls to 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline based on the caller’s physical location rather than the current method of using the...
Accidental fire suppression discharge sends 911 center workers to hospital (NJ)
An incident Thursday at the Warren County Public Safety Building and 911 Communications Center in Franklin Township sent county employees to the hospital. Outside contractors working on the 1024 Route 57 building accidentally triggered a fire suppression system...
Minnesota’s 911 manager in Virginia? Investigation prompts calls for change to state remote … (MN)
Two emergency communications managers with the State of Minnesota have left their leadership positions at the Department of Public Safety (DPS) after 5 INVESTIGATES raised questions about a telework agreement that allowed one of them to work full-time from the East...
Spokane County’s regional 911 dispatch center wants Spokane to either fully commit or provide its own dispatch
Similar to many on-again, off-again relationships, the board of the Spokane Regional Emergency Communications center has apparently hit a breaking point and wants the city of Spokane to commit: Are you in this relationship, or out of it? READ FULL ARTICLE
At 20 years old, 911 dispatcher has a ‘poise you can’t train’ (IL)
Alexis Echebarria loves her work, doesn’t seek recognition for her job as the first point of contact during an emergency READ FULL ARTICLE
Ramsey County’s new 911 center gives social workers key role (MN)
The staff who handle 911 calls throughout St. Paul and Ramsey County returned to their remodeled center this week, with embedded social workers now stationed in the middle of the room.
SF Emergency Dispatchers Struggle to Respond Amid Outdated Systems, Severe Understaffing (CA)
San Francisco emergency dispatchers — already dangerously understaffed and overworked — say that sporadic outages in their aging computer system are making their jobs even harder. READ FULL ARTICLE
Orange County E911 Center “Tree of Life” mural recognizes dispatchers (VA)
The Orange County Emergency Communications Center is excited to announce the addition of a “Tree of Life” mural, to recognize dispatchers for the lifesaving measures they provide day after day. Like leaves on a tree, communications officers provide a critical canopy...
‘You get a lot of burnout:’ Nationwide 911 dispatcher shortage has local agencies getting creative (FL)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Across the country, law enforcement and fire rescue agencies are experiencing a shortage of 911 dispatchers. Between 2019 and 2022, one in four jobs at public safety communications centers were vacant, according to a recent report from the...
San Francisco Opens New 911 Dispatch Center (CA)
San Francisco, CA – Today Mayor London N. Breed and the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management (DEM) celebrated the opening of San Francisco’s newly renovated 911 Dispatch Center. The significant upgrades to the facility, located at 1011 Turk Street,...
DuPage 911 operator sues, saying employer discriminated against him (IL)
A 911 telecommunicator is suing DuPage Public Safety Communications, saying it has discriminated against him because of his race and ethnicity. READ FULL ARTICLE
APCO’s Steve Devine talks tech trends in 9-1-1
I recently sat down with Steve Devine, who was named Chief Technology Officer for the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International (APCO) this past December. APCO works to empower and educate public safety communications professionals. READ FULL...
Hamilton County Commissioners unanimously approve $14 million 911/EMA facility project (OH)
As National Telecommunicators Week wraps up, Hamilton County is moving forward with renovation plans on a new building for the County Emergency Communications Center. READ FULL ARTICLE
Sheriff’s Office and over 40 Partners Go Live (IL)
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office announces a successful implementation of a major 911 technological overhaul. In 2019, the Lake County Sheriff’s office in conjunction with the Lake County Emergency Telephone Systems Board (ETSB), with the assistance of Crowe...
White House recognizes National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (D.C.)
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Emergency Number Association praised President Biden for recognizing National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW) in a letter from the White House.
Law enforcement officials in 4 states report temporary 911 outages
(AP) - Law enforcement agencies in Nebraska, Nevada, South Dakota and Texas reported temporary outages to 911 services before saying hours later that services had been restored. It was not immediately clear what caused the outages or whether they were related.
A new report on the Maui wildfires cites communications breakdowns (HI)
Updated April 17, 2024 at 6:04 PM ET HONOLULU — As wildfires ripped across Maui last August, the head of the emergency management agency dragged his heels about returning to the island amid the unfolding crisis, while a broad communications breakdown left authorities...
911 dispatchers being recognized as first responders with police, EMTs, firefighters (IN)
The soft gray light pouring into the windows of their upper floor control room, coupled with the calm, low voices of Porter County’s E911 dispatchers, belies the urgency of the accidents and medical emergencies the first class telecommunicators field on a recent rainy...
The ‘first’ first responders: Natrona County dispatchers field crisis from the switchboard (WY)
—Telecommunications specialists at the Natrona County Public Safety Communications Center handled over 29,600 calls 911 in 2023, according to the Casper Police Department. “We call them the ‘first’ first responders,” CPD Information Officer Amber Freestone told Oil...
Emergency services a likely target for cyberattacks, warns DHS
Calling 911 is meant to save lives. But the emergency service, and others like it, are also viewed as ripe targets for criminally minded cyber-attackers, according to a new federal assessment – and any vulnerability in those critical networks can expose victims to a...
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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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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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