It is crucial that first responders have clear, effective two-way communication in commercial buildings. Unfortunately, most buildings block and absorb radio frequency signals, presenting complex challenges to the ever-increasing demand for coverage. The state of...

The Barry County E9-1-1 board has welcomed two new faces, as Nick Mercer and Emma Burns are joining the team. Mike Phillips, Barry County E9-1-1 director, said a total of seven members sit on the board, three in the south, three in the north and a chairman, which is...

Months after Durham stopped routing nearly one in 10 of its 911 calls to Raleigh because of an operator shortage, a city resident says his repeated calls for help went unanswered. In December, staffing shortages led the Durham 911 center to begin regularly...

CINCINNATI — A frantic mother called Cincinnati's 911 on Aug. 7 begging for a fast response to help her infant daughter. "I need an ambulance. My baby's not breathing," the woman told the 911 operator. "Hurry up." The WCPO 9 I-Team received and reviewed a copy of the...

SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Susquehanna County’s new public safety center is almost done. County officials broke ground one year ago behind the Gibson state police barracks. County commissioners budgeted the $15 million project, which means there will not be a...

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...

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...

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...

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, 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...

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...

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...

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...

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 – 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...

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 — 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...