Top Comm Center Headlines

News & Articles

APCO Hosts a Public Safety Communications Event With PSBTA

Source: APCO International Date: 03/27/2025 On March 18-19, APCO International hosted a special event with the Public Safety Broadband Technology Association (PSBTA) in Washington, DC that focused on public safety’s use of 4.9 GHz and Artificial Intelligence (AI)....

Brown County dispatchers urge county board for support over scheduling change concerns (WI)

Amidst severe ongoing staffing shortages, dispatchers were informed in February, based on an outside consultant report, that the center’s shift schedule would change starting in May. This goes against what they were told in August, Carpiaux said, that “there would be no schedule changes for 2025 in efforts to take the year and fine tune a change for 2026.”

New report details emergency call updates (VT)

A new report looks at Vermont’s dispatch centers and emergency response.

Now, the state wants to hear from you. On Thursday, the Vermont Public Safety Communications task force will host a meeting to discuss the future of emergency communication in the state.

Gwinnett County leaders present honors to public safety personnel at ‘Valor Awards’ (GA)

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Gwinnett County leaders gathered together on Thursday to recognize police officers, firefighters and other public safety professionals for going above and beyond the call of duty.Channel 2′s Steve Gehlbach was at the Gwinnett County Valor Awards ceremony, where first responders were honored for their heroic, lifesaving actions.Those honored included a communications officer who took a 911 call from a domestic violence victim and helped save her life after she was shot and officers who helped respond to an active shooter outside the county jail.[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]It’s the 20th year that the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce presented the honors, recognizing not only those who protect and serve but those went above and beyond in life-threatening situations.“With no tourniquet available, Officer Etienne resourcefully used a belt as a makeshift solution,” Sgt. Gregory Ross said, presenting a life-saving award to Officer Feniel Etienne, a senior officer with the Lilburn Police Department.TRENDING STORIES:Etienne was off-duty when a gunman shot someone at a Suwanee automotive shop. He immediately jumped into action.“Happy to be there and able to serve somebody,” he said.The top award, the gold medal for valor, went to five sheriff’s deputies for dealing with an active shooter at the jail in October.A man in body armor showed up at the jail’s entrance with his two-year-old daughter, acting erratically. Deputies identified the potential threat as he returned the child to his car and got a shotgun out.Eventually, the man opened fire at officers with a handgun and they fired back, hitting him.“Their courage under fire and commitment to protecting lives prevented what could have easily been a mass tragedy,” Ross said at the ceremony.The deputies said that “we just came together that day,” calling it a true team effort as other deputies and jail staff locked down inside and got visitors and others out of harm’s way.The gunman from the shooting recovered and is in custody at the jail, facing multiple charges including aggravated assault against law enforcement officers.[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]©2025 Cox Media Group

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.

* indicates required

Follow Us

Stay connected with the latestEmergency Communications News, Articles & Information.