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New positions address county’s public safety needs (AR)
The Garland County Quorum Court Human Resources Committee created eight new public safety positions at its Sept. 27 meeting, personnel slots the sheriff's department and 911 Communications Center said are needed to meet a growing workload. The committee authorized six...
FCC Proposals Aim to Stop Robocalls at the Border, Protect 911
The FCC this week adopted two Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) in the fight against illegal robocalls. One takes aim at the networks that serve as entry points for foreign-originated robocalls and the other proposes rules to protect 911 call centers from...
Schenectady County receives $608,000 state grant for radio operability project (NY)
SCHENECTADY COUNTY – The county will use a $608,673 state grant to improve its emergency communications, the state announced this week. The grant money will be used for Schenectady County’s commitment to an $18 million countywide radio operability project to modernize...
911 mix-up: Emergency call routed to wrong jurisdiction (Washington DC)
(FOX 5 DC) - When there’s an emergency, every second matters. However, some in the DMV feel that sense of urgency is missing due to an ongoing problem of 911 call mix-ups. Time is of the essence when someone needs help. That’s why a viewer reached out to FOX 5 to...
County dispatcher recognized as one of the best in the state (IN)
HANCOCK COUNTY — They hear worst-case scenarios and then must make on-the-spot and — in some instances — a life saving-decision. The work a 911 dispatcher does is nonstop and intense. Helping others during some of life’s worst experiences can bring great satisfaction...
911 call centers in mountains not immune to staffing shortages (NC)
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Right now, across the nation, 911 dispatch centers are seeing 15-20 percent shortages in employees. And Western North Carolina has not been immune to the deficits hitting other departments. Right now, Buncombe County has a 6.3 percent staff...
Austin, Texas, police to stop responding to non-emergencies beginning today
Austin, Texas, police are now urging the public to call 311 instead of 911 to report non-emergencies, authorities said. Starting Friday, individuals in the city are asked to use 311 when reporting crimes that are either no longer in process, when the suspect is no...
Emergency communications coordinator retires after 35 years of service to county (NY)
Press release: After 35 years of service, Communications Coordinator Russell L. Lang is working his last shift Friday, October 1, at the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office. Russ began his career on August 9, 1986, as a Dispatcher, and on June 17, 1989, he was appointed...
ST LOUIS NEEDS 911 DISPACTHERS. HERE’S WHY IT’S HAVING TROUBLE HIRING THEM (MO)
ST. LOUIS — St. Louis’ Personnel Department has sent 95 applicants to the understaffed and overworked police dispatch center since June – but only six have been hired. What’s the hold up? Police and city leaders say problems with those applicants, and the personnel...
Emergencies, tragedies can’t rattle this Novi, South Lyon 911 dispatcher (MI)
Charlie Jordan already had some dispatching experience when he reported for his first shift at Novi Regional 911 Center. He was nervous and barely talked while absorbing the new policies and responsibilities that go with dispatching for the cities of Novi and South...
City of Dublin | Northwest Regional Emergency Communications Center in Dublin does more than dispatching first responders (OH)
“We don’t just dispatch police cars and fire trucks. We don’t just answer 911 calls. We ensure the safety, service and security of your communities.” That’s what Jay Somerville shares about the devoted 911 dispatchers working at the Northwest Regional Emergency...
New dispatch center for Little Elm (TX)
Emergency 911 calls in Little Elm are now being routed to a new dispatch center. Previously, they were routed to the Denton County Sheriff’s Office. Little Elm Communications Director Erin Mudie confirmed that the new dispatch center will service both Little Elm and...
Broadband dreams hit a snag
Quick Fix — Infrastructure latest: Congress averted a government shutdown Thursday, but House lawmakers are expected to keep wrangling over the bipartisan infrastructure package today. — Deadlocked again: The Senate has confirmed FTC Commissioner Rohit Chopra to lead...
FCC considers public safety, IoT spectrum needs
The Federal Communications Commission is taking a new look at the spectrum needs of public safety and the internet of things, and the agency officially rescinded rules passed under the Trump administration that would have allowed state-by-state leasing of 50 megahertz...
An Uninterrupted Lifeline
An Uninterrupted Lifeline Radio communications link emergency responders to enhanced systems For a first responder rushing into a building emergency, losing communication with their teams inside or outside of the building can be terrifying. In fact, according to an...
Emergencies, tragedies can’t rattle this Novi, South Lyon 911 dispatcher (MI)
Charlie Jordan already had some dispatching experience when he reported for his first shift at Novi Regional 911 Center. He was nervous and barely talked while absorbing the new policies and responsibilities that go with dispatching for the cities of Novi and South...
Durham fire official says 911 center is ‘weak link in response chain,’ according to internal emails (NC)
DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) – According to internal emails CBS 17 has obtained, one Durham fire official calls the Durham Emergency Communications Center the “weak link” responding to emergencies, and that firefighters are taking the heat when 911 calls are not answered. In...
Licking County won’t bill Refugee-Canyon fire district for 911 calls; lawsuit dropped (OH)
Refugee-Canyon Joint Fire District recently dismissed its lawsuit against Licking County over dispatching fees, according to court filings. In an Aug. 23 notice of voluntary dismissal, the agency's attorney, David Comstock, said the district sought to dismiss its...
FCC tees up AFC for 6 GHz band
The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday asked for proposals from those that want to coordinate frequencies in the 6 GHz band for standard-power unlicensed devices to avoid interference with incumbent users. It comes less than two weeks after the regulator and...
Southside emergency dispatch duties transferred starting Friday (AL)
Starting Friday, Etowah 911 will take over dispatching duties for Southside police and fire, Police Chief Blake Ragsdale said. The City of Southside made the decision a few months ago to make the change, and for the last few weeks, dispatchers at the central Etowah...
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.
LISTEN TO PODCAST
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.
REGISTER
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