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3 tips to adopting FirstNet
The decision to integrate broadband into public safety communications was not immediate for Mason County. A lot of thought and work went into the county’s testing and planning efforts, beginning in Spring 2018. “My office manages the physical addresses for the E-911...
Public Safety Advocate: LA City Fire Joins FirstNet, Spectrum Allocations/Interference Issues, Rural Broadband/NG911 Updates
At the end of last week, it was announced that both LA City Fire and LA County Health Department had joined FirstNet. LA County Fire, which is part of the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS), already uses FirstNet. It seems a new agency...
Jasper retires from Ogle County Sheriff’s Office (IL)
The Ogle County Sheriff’s Office congratulated Telecommunicator Lori Jasper on her retirement last week. Jasper had been with the Sheriff’s Office since 2004, holding positions as civilian corrections clerk and the 911 communications center. Sheriff Brian VanVickle...
Call 8-1-1 so you don’t have to call 9-1-1 (VA)
When you’re planning to dig a hole, whether with a shovel or other excavating equipment, there’s a number as important to call as 9-1-1. Today is National 8-1-1 Day, which reminds anyone who plans to dig to “call before you dig” so buried public utilities can be...
A new Emergency Operations Center is in the works for the Ottawa County area (OK)
QUAPAW, OK – Multiple agencies are coming together to build a new emergency operations center for the Ottawa County area. The more than a million dollar facility on East 64 Road in Miami, is being funded by grants. At 4,000 square feet, it will hold emergency...
County dispatch offers sit-alongs to introduce job (NE)
WAHOO – Many refer to dispatchers as the “first” first responders, Saunders County Assistant Dispatch Supervisor Halcyon Frank said. While they are the first to know of an emergency before passing it along to law enforcement, fire and rescue departments or other first...
Murfreesboro first responders explain how app helped them find two teenage girls lost in park (TN)
MURFREESBORO, TN (WSMV) – News4 is finding out how an app helped first responders find two teenage girls lost in a Midstate park. The app is called what3words. It gives every 10-foot square in the world a three word address. "Three words and it'll take you straight to...
Conversion of the former Sun building for police department use has doubled in price (MD)
The process of reconfiguring the old Baltimore Sun building on North Calvert Street is getting pricey. Just 16 months ago, the city said that making improvements to the space, in order to relocate the Baltimore Police Department’s Central District staff, would cost...
E-911 DISPATCHERS USE NEW TRAINING TO SAVE LIVES (TN)
Being prepared and ready to help in emergency situations is key to a successful E911 response effort—and local dispatchers have had opportunities to put new training to the test. The Tennessee legislature passed a law last year requiring all staff at centers that...
Sumter impact fees exceed expectations, hiring more staff for emergency communications center (FL)
While three newly elected Sumter County commissioners were fighting to push through a tax increase on new business, the county was already collecting millions of dollars more than expected in that area. [Additionally], [t]he commission approved beginning the process...
Communication breakdown; emergency communications need an upgrade (IA)
Law enforcement surrounded a residence north of Charlotte Jan. 15. An armed man had shot a Clinton County sheriff’s deputy and injured a woman in the house. Four separate law enforcement agencies manned one side of the property. All had radios; however, they could not...
Daphne recognizes dispatchers as first responders (AL)
DAPHNE – Police dispatchers play a major role in emergency services and should be recognized as first responders, the same as patrol officers and firefighters, Daphne city officials said Monday, Aug. 2. The Daphne City Council voted to approve a resolution recognizing...
Hanging it up: Philip Morris’s last call as Shelby County 9-1-1 dispatcher goes to dad (AL)
By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Managing Editor In the middle of receiving a plaque to commemorate his 23 years of service as a Shelby County 9-1-1 dispatcher, Philip Morris got the worst call of his career on Monday, Aug. 9. After years of handling distressing calls and helping...
Macomb County introduces new dispatch training center (MI)
MACOMB COUNTY — A simulation of a 911 call, with one person acting as a 911 caller and another as a dispatcher, was one capability demonstrated at a July 22 Macomb County announcement of a new dispatch training center for the county. The center is located at the...
Lowndes residents can now text 9-1-1 in an emergency (GA)
Residents or visitors to Lowndes County can now send a text message to 9-1-1 for help in an emergency. While Lowndes County 911 emphasizes calls are still the best and fastest way to contact 9-1-1, text messages are an option when a call may not be possible. “Lowndes...
Cobb 911 now accepts text messages (GA)
Cobb County will receive Text to 911 calls from unincorporated Cobb County and the cities within Cobb. Information will be relayed to the appropriate city if necessary. Smyrna 911 has deployed its own Text to 911. The county will work with Smyrna to provide seamless...
Wilkin Co. dispatchers were struggling with workload, new law (ND)
In July, the Wilkin County Board approved three new full-time dispatcher positions, totaling four this year. The new positions bring the total number of full-time dispatcher positions to eight, an amount that’s needed to sustain the 24/7 workload, according to Wilkin...
‘Led to a great outcome’: Fairfield first responders honored for saving resident’s life (CT)
FAIRFIELD — Several first responders were recently honored for their quick actions that officials say saved a resident’s life this summer. Lt. Patrick Barry, officer Felix Gonzalez, firefighter Justin Crawford, telecommunicator Lynn Erazmus telecommunicator Jennifer...
Opinion: America’s aging 911 infrastructure needs a ‘medic’ but there is hope
When the first 911 call was made in February 1968, few imagined that our nation’s 911 system would bloom into nearly 6,000 local, state, and regional 911 centers across the country answering 650,000 daily emergency calls. Now, despite its success in saving countless...
Emergency management seeks to reduce accidental 911 calls (AK)
Almost 1,000 people accidentally called 911 in July, according to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management. That’s up 55% from last year. In a post shared to Facebook last week, OEM’s emergency alert system — KPB Alerts — provided information on how...
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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