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‘Actions likely prevented a tragedy’; Avon dispatcher helps save infant from choking (MA)
AVON – A police dispatcher who, over the phone, helped a mother save her infant from choking was recognized for her work and got to meet the family. Dispatcher Alison Ning was recognized at Thursday's board of selectmen meeting for her work...
4 ‘financially distressed’ Downriver cities receive state grant for public safety, water improvements (MI)
Four Downriver communities will divvy up more than $700,000 in state grants to repair, replace and upgrade equipment and services. Among the four Downriver communities, Allen Park received the largest grant — $200,000 — to swap copper for lead in connecting a water...
Calm in a Storm: Huntsville dispatchers tout benefits of service-focused career (AL)
If you haven’t already, odds are good you’ll have to dial 911 at some point. Whether it’s an emergency happening to you or someone else, the voice on the other end offers a sense of calm in a storm when it’s needed most. It’s a fast-paced career, but public safety...
BOE grants volunteers use of school towers (AL)
The Escambia County Board of Education recently approved a measure that will allow the county’s volunteer fire departments to make use of the communications towers located at several county schools. The memorandum of aid (MOA) between the BOE and the Escambia County...
Sussex County wants New Jersey to return its 911 service tax
NEWTON — Every state resident with a phone has paid a tax on their monthly phone bill for more than a decade to enhance 911 emergency services. Since 2004, the state has taken the tax money, totaling more than $1.5 billion, used very little or 11% to enhance 911...
What it’s like to be a 911 dispatcher, call taker (KY)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In an emergency that requires the police, fire or EMS, you call 911, but the ones answering the calls are responsible for getting the right agencies to the right place as quickly as they can. What You Need To Know Dispatchers and call takers at...
A Birmingham dispatcher taking 911 calls for 31 years preaches patience (MI)
There was a time Birmingham dispatcher Terez Willis concluded her most wretched shifts with a highway finale. She worked afternoon shifts then, talking to emotional 911 callers and trying to gather details for fellow first responders until the clock struck midnight....
Dispatcher shortage continues to plague 9-1-1 response in St. Louis City (MO)
ST. LOUIS (KMOV.com) -- If you call 9-1-1 in St. Louis for a car fire, a structure fire, or even a murder, there's a good chance you'll hear: "You've reached the City of St. Louis. All operators are busy at this time." A spokesperson for Mayor Tishaura Jones said...
Seminole County Fire Chief asks residents to reduce use of 9-1-1 due to increased COVID (FL)
SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Seminole County’s Fire Chief sounded an alarm Tuesday over the high volume of medical transports his department has been responding to with a recent increase in COVID-19 cases. Chief Otto Drozd is asking residents to only dial 9-1-1 if they...
CSP to upgrade service allowing text to 911 – Alamosa News (CO)
ALAMOSA - Next Generation 911 is a new system comprised of Emergency Services Internet Provider (IP) networks that went live July 14th 2021. This allows the public to now text message emergencies to the San Luis Valley E911 Center. NG911 incorporates Rapid SOS which...
FirstNet investigates off-network communications
FirstNet investigates off-network communications FirstNet is researching ways to provide off-network broadband communications to public-safety workers. In some cases, responders must operate in remote areas with no access to broadband communications. They may be too...
Oroville council to discuss fire dispatch service with Cal Fire (CA)
OROVILLE — The Oroville City Council will discuss a pair of items during the regular business portion of Tuesday’s meeting regarding fire protection services in the city. The council will consider a temporary contract with Cal Fire-Butte County for fire dispatch...
Dispatcher jobs continue to be difficult to fill across the Magic Valley (ID)
JEROME, Idaho — Law enforcement agencies and communication centers are struggling to fill the critical roles of dispatch officers across the Magic Valley. Often referred to as the "first" first responders, the crucial job of a dispatcher is at times forgotten. “There...
Regional project set to improve public safety communications in Kilgore, Gregg County (TX)
KILGORE, Texas (KLTV) - The City of Kilgore is working on upgrading communications infrastructure in the southern part of Gregg County. City of Kilgore emergency management coordinator and Lieutenant with the Kilgore Police Department Terry Linder, says the regional...
FirstNet touts Rhode Island first responder equipment
First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) officials recently joined AT&T personnel in unveiling tools designed to aid Rhode Island first responders. AT&T has delivered a pair of Compact Rapid Deployables (CRDs) to the Rhode Island Emergency Management...
Technology cuts emergency response time in DOT pilot program (NY)
NEW YORK – Carbyne, a global leader in public safety technology, has released the results of a three-phase pilot program using its emergency response platform c-Live Universe with the Georgia Department of Transportation, the first step in its partnership with the...
AT&T Expands FirstNet 5G Service, Adds Connection to Its ESInet Service
AT&T announced that it had expanded 5G coverage for the FirstNet network to 10 more cities across the country. First responders in Austin, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; Cleveland, Ohio; Dallas; El Paso, Texas; Houston, Texas; Knoxville, Tennessee; Phoenix;...
FirstNet Brings a One-of-a-Kind 5G Experience to More First Responders Across the Country
DALLAS, Aug. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- What's the news? FirstNet® – the only nationwide network built with and for America's first responders – is keeping public safety connected unlike any other network. Here's 3 strategic ways: Expanding the FirstNet 5G footprint: As...
INVESTIGATION FINDS 3 POLICY VIOLATIONS LINKED TO DEATH OF PHOENIX 9-1-1 DISPATCHER (AZ)
PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) – A just-completed internal investigation has found three violations in the moments leading up to the death of Phoenix 911 operator Pamela Cooper earlier this year. The 48-year-old dispatcher had just returned to work in late February after five...
911 report recommends consolidating com centers (AR)
The statewide public safety answering point consolidation plan report Federal Engineering presented the Arkansas 911 Board earlier this summer recommended the city of Hot Springs move its PSAP into Garland County's 911 Communications Center. The recommendation took...
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.
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Congress should reauthorize the FirstNet Authority now.
Support the reauthorization of the FirstNet Authority to preserve public safety’s network
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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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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.
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