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Features
Debt of gratitude owed all medical first responders (MI)
Within minutes after area residents or visitors to our community call Lapeer County 911 Central Dispatch to report a medical emergency, help is on the way. To the individuals, family members or passersby who placed the 911 call it matters little what colors or whose agency name is on the side of the ambulance, fire truck, or first responder units that show up on scene sirens blaring and lights flashing.
What matters most is that help gets there fast when minutes can be the difference between life and death without medical intervention. Maybe it’s a stroke, a heart attack, an opioid overdose, a suicide attempt, a vehicular or farm-implement accident or an industrial mishap at a local manufacturing facility. Whatever the nature of the call, the appropriate and necessary agency response will be quickly assessed by professionals at Central Dispatch as well as by personnel in the field — often including medical first responders from local fire departments in rural communities who often arrive before the ambulance does.
In Lapeer County, we’re fortunate to have an outstanding emergency medical services (EMS) community of professionals, supported by top-notch 911 dispatchers and the staff and services available at McLaren Lapeer Region — a certified Levell II trauma center capable of handling all sorts of major medical emergencies. Collectively as a community, we owe these individuals and agencies a debt of gratitude for choosing to dedicate their lives to help people in medical distress — awe inspiring any day of the week, but even more extraordinary during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In today’s paper (page 4A), we’re proud to report that the Lapeer County Medical Control Authority (MCA) and McLaren Lapeer Region (MLR) recognized and acknowledged all EMS personnel with their distinguished 2021 E. Thomas Stafford EMS Provider of the Year Award. Normally, the honor is bestowed to one deserving EMS provider for their contribution to the EMS system in Lapeer County. For more than 30 years, the Lapeer County MCA and MLR have recognized EMS personnel for the role they play to provide medical care, but this year they determined that due to the impact and challenges COVID-19 has had on their ranks they would recognize all EMS personnel within the MCA service area.
It was a great call, and we congratulate and thank the hundreds of men and women who serve within the far-reaching medical first responder community. The kudos are extended to law enforcement, public health, emergency management and other services that maintain and enhance health and safety to the people who live, work and play in Lapeer County.
We commend township leadership at the board and fire department level in their communities who saw the merits to organize and ask the public to finance medical first responders. The decision, with ongoing citizen and taxpayer support, has undoubtedly saved lives and enhanced the odds of survival for thousands of Lapeer County residents from life-threatening medical emergencies and serious vehicle crashes.
The frontline and first line of care on scene for many residents comes with the arrival of medical first responders associated with fire services in Almont, Burlington Twp., Deerfield Twp., Dryden Twp., Hadley Twp., Marathon Twp., Metamora Twp. and North Branch. Lapeer County is served by EMS personnel who work for Lapeer County EMS, Medstar Ambulance, Marlette EMS, as well as Mayville and Patriot ambulance services.
The work is stressful and time consuming, taking EMS personnel away from their families to undergo continued training and license certification to ensure they’re current on the latest care methods and familiar with new drugs and equipment (technology) that may be called into use should they respond to your home or place of business in the event of an emergency.
To one and all in the Lapeer County EMS and first responder community, thank you. You make a positive difference every day you go to work.
News & Articles
Craig Enderle retires after 21 years with central dispatch (NY)
Craig Enderle has been helping people out of emergency situations for more than two decades. A emergency dispatcher and a firefighter, Enderle plans on retiring from the emergency dispatch office after 21 years on the job. His last day will be Jan. 28. Enderle was...
Alamosa 911 Dispatcher Arrested On Sexual Assault Charge (CO)
RIO GRANDE COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) – A 911 dispatcher with the Colorado State Patrol’s Alamosa office was arrested Wednesday mid-afternoon after authorities were alerted to a possible sexual assault that occurred the night before. Tony Jackson Hill, 36, was taken...
All of Haines’ emergency dispatchers caught COVID but stayed on the job to answer 911 calls (AK)
The Haines 911 dispatch office is located in the Public Safety building at 315 Haines Highway (photo by Jillian Rogers/KHNS) All three of Haines’ emergency dispatchers have tested positive for COVID-19, but officials say they’ve elected to stay on the job anyway to...
Toronto 911 operator says ‘people are being hurt’ by waiting on hold for up to 10 minutes (Canada)
A baby not breathing, a drowning and a person suffering from a gunshot wound. Those are all examples of emergencies where callers waited on hold for longer than two minutes before a Toronto 911 operator said they were able to answer the call....
911 center operators share lessons learned from the pandemic
Hundreds of dispatch center leaders from across the nation are meeting in San Diego for the annual conference of The National Emergency Number Association, or NENA. And the pandemic is at the forefront. "There’s never been anything like this in our lifetime," said...
Residents Set Up an Emergency Phone Line Along a Remote Road for Emergencies (MI)
Ed and Faye Wakeham love their little camp outside of town in the Keweenaw. But with the remoteness of the area, comes some problems for outdoorists and those that need emergency help. So the Wakeham’s decided a few months ago to work with the Houghton County Sheriff...
APCO Files a Project Initiation to Create a New Candidate Standard for Common Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) Public Safety GIS Identifiers
Alexandria, VA – The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International has filed a Project Initiation with ANSI for the creation of a candidate standard titled Common Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) Public Safety GIS Identifiers....
Improved facilities for Habersham 911 dispatchers on the horizon (GA)
Improved space for Habersham County’s 911 dispatchers could be up and running within the next two years, according to county officials, at the new Habersham County Emergency Services central station in Demorest. The new HCES station, which has not been designed at...
Frederick County receives requests for 32 new positions as budget talks begin (VA)
WINCHESTER — Frederick County has received requests to fund 32 new positions in the upcoming fiscal year. But it remains to be seen whether the Board of Supervisors will include these positions in the fiscal year 2023 budget. The board met with the county’s Finance...
Richland County 911 Emergency Center unveils $1 million upgrade (OH)
The $1 million upgrade at the Richland County 911 emergency operations center was unveiled Wednesday at the former People's Community Center building, 597 Park Avenue East. The new and modern 911 operations center, which has been up and operational since last fall,...
Sumter County announces major upgrade to 911 emergency dispatch operation (FL)
Sumter County may be the first county in the nation to upgrade its 911 emergency dispatch operation to what has been called a next-generation system. Working with the companies Lumen and CenturyLink, the Jan. 12 upgrade allows transmissions of texts, images and videos...
MACo: “Swatting” Weaponizes 9-1-1, Endangers Public Safety (MD)
On January 19, 2022, MACo Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee in support of SB 57 Criminal Law – Public Safety – Communications With Public Safety Answering Points. By strengthening state laws to protect 9-1-1...
If you call in an emergency, try to give useful information (TX)
This year, 2022, already doesn’t seem much different from 2021. We had COVID and still have COVID, and we had lots of traffic and still have lots of traffic. As Hood County grows, so will our growing pains. My office is here to serve all who live in Hood County and...
Introduction of C-Band Spectrum: A Connectivity Building Block
Supports AT&T’s Unique “3 Networks” Approach For Wireless, Fiber and First Responders By Chris Sambar, EVP – Technology Operations, AT&T You just want it to work. Your phone. Your laptop. Your video game console and your streaming service. The...
ESChat: Josh Lober discusses integration with Siyata SD-7 IoT radio
ESChat President/CEO Josh Lober talks about his company’s partnership with Siyata Mobile, including today’s announcement that ESChat push-to-talk (PTT) service is available on the Siyata SD-7, which is a rugged IoT device certified for use on multiple carrier...
911 department will return to quarters next week (KS)
In less than a week, Dickinson County 911 Emergency Communications will return to its renovated quarters in the basement of the courthouse. It’s a move that dispatchers all are looking forward to. “Everyone is ready to get back home,” said 911 Director Emily...
Paragould, Arkansas City Council Selects CentralSquare Pro Suite to Improve 911 Dispatcher Efficiencies (AR)
LAKE MARY, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CentralSquare Technologies, an industry leader in public safety software, announced that Paragould, Arkansas has selected CentralSquare’s 911 Pro to replace Motorola Vesta for its emergency dispatch needs to provide its dispatchers...
3G Cell Network Shutdowns Could Affect 9-1-1 Calls (PA)
HARRISBURG PA – Mobile carriers will begin to decommission their comparatively slower 3G cellular networks this year, some by next month. That’s prompted Pennsylvania officials to remind people with older-model cell phones to prepare for the possibility that...
Sagadahoc County pitches $5 million public safety radio upgrade in Topsham (ME)
The Sagadahoc County Emergency Management Agency plans to upgrade its aging radio infrastructure, which might improve communications among first responders. The Topsham Police and Fire Department officials Thursday will seek the Topsham Selectboard’s approval to allow...
Officials reflect on importance of new Huntsville-Madison County 9-1-1 Center (AL)
Huntsville Fire & Rescue Chief Howard “Mac” McFarlen is in a unique position. Each day, his department employs cutting-edge technology to save lives and property, but he also remembers the old days. Lee Gradford, who has chaired the Huntsville-Madison County 9-1-1...
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The #ARPA is helping our nation recover from #COVID19 by investing in our communities and creating jobs here at home. Learn more about local opportunities:
Los Angeles County is working to transform underserved communities impacted during the pandemic with investments from the American Rescue Plan Act.
To learn more about supporting solicitations and contracting opportunities, visit https://ceo.lacounty.gov/recovery/contract-opportunities/
The Casper Police Dept. in #Wyoming has been using @FirstNet for 4+ years. Tune in to this episode of the Public Safety First podcast to hear how dedicated apps, citywide coverage, and interoperability w/other agencies is making a difference for officers: https://soundcloud.com/user-472553784/episode-61-from-public-safety-to-public-works-firstnet-aids-casper-wyoming?si=0aad75399c4743d3bfbd28a1adfdda00
Wrapped up an amazing episode with Lauren Sisler, Sportscaster with ESPN, and Inspirational Speaker. Thank you for being on and for the opportunity to share your story, and how the power of story can help those who answer the call. This is an episode you do not want to miss!
Opinions
BCLA privileged to honors emergency responders | Opinion (KS)
To the Editor,Did you know Brown County has 279 emergency responder positions filled? Did you know that in addition to community fire departments, police departments, dispatch, the sheriff’s department and our county wide ambulance service, we also have a mounted search and rescue team (which uses horses & riders to search off the beaten path during an emergency) and Squad 48 (which extract people from vehicle accidents & other emergencies requiring special equipment)?The men and women doing these jobs are not doing it for fame and fortune. They are doing it because they feel called to serve and protect their community…to make it a better and safer place for themselves, their families and ALL of us.BCLA was privileged to honor Brown County’s 279 emergency responders on Patriot Day – Saturday, September 11, 2021. On a day filled with much emotion – the 20th anniversary of 9/11 – we remembered those that gave the ultimate sacrifice at the World Trade Center in New York City. Then we said thank you to our Brown County First Responders because we never know when that opportunity could be taken from us.THANK YOU to the almost 200 people who participated in the procession and ceremony and another approximately 70 people who took advantage of the World Trade Center Virtual Tour at Arrow Twin Theatre. If you were unable to attend Saturday’s events, we encourage you to take a moment, pick a specific emergency responder &/or a department and send a handwritten thank you to them. Brown County departments honored on Saturday included:Everest Fire DepartmentFairview Fire DepartmentHiawatha Fire DepartmentRescue Squad 48 & Town & Country EMSHorton Fire DepartmentIoway Tribal Fire DepartmentKickapoo Tribal Fire DepartmentMorrill Fire DepartmentPowhattan Fire DepartmentRobinson Fire DepartmentBrown County Sheriff, Dispatchers & Mounted Search & RescueHiawatha PoliceHorton Police & DispatchersIoway Tribal Law EnforcementKickapoo Tribal Law EnforcementReginal Highway TroopersSac & Fox Tribal Law EnforcementIf you were unable to see the Virtual Tour we invite you to visit this link so you can watch from home. The link will be active through Sunday, September 19. https://www.911memorial.org/demand-tours PASSWORD: NC9DNVWe also want to give a BIG THANK YOU to the other groups and individuals who helped make these Patriot Day events possible:Lingling (Rachel) Zhang, Arrow Twin TheatreLynn Allen, Brown County Historical SocietyWilliam Geisendorf, Hiawatha Family DentistryBrad Unruh & Monte Unruh, Jackrabbit CoffeeLauren Lock, McDonald’sMatt Bartlett, SonicJoan Stoller, American Heritage Girls Troop #KS2315Laura Hooper, Scout Troop #313Matthew Leahy, Hiawatha High ArtKarie Covert, Hiawatha Middle ArtMike Dunaway, Zion Lutheran ChurchRichard Lehmkuhl, Eternal HopeSteve Stoller, Sabetha Thrivent FinancialSpencer Madison, vocalistSarah Kleopfer, vocalistJudy Bruning, pianistJoey May, Hiawatha WorldHorton HeadlightHiawatha Kiwanis ClubBrown County CommissionersHiawatha City CommissionersBrown County Home GuardBlake Ezra Burton Memorial FundSubmitted by: Brown County Liberty Alliance – Patriot Day CommitteeJerry & Jeanette AllerStuart & Amanda AllerLucas & Kendra HeinenBrian & Annette Hoskins
9/11 NYPD Dispatcher to Newsmax: Need Unity, Compassion Again (NY)
Candace Baker, a New York Police dispatcher on Sept. 11, 2001 who spent the whole day taking missing persons calls, tells Newsmax that Americans need to return to the sense of unity and compassion that united them in the days following the terrorist attacks...
Opinion: Dialing 911 for a mental health emergency will soon dispatch clinicians, not police (CA)
Gloria is the mayor of San Diego and lives in Mission Hills. Fletcher is chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and lives in City Heights. Not all emergencies are alike. Police officers respond to crimes. Firefighters respond to fires. Paramedics respond...
Letter: Ludicrous to outsource public safety dispatch (MA)
I have learned that The Ipswich Public Safety Dispatch Center is being threatened and in danger of being shut down thus closing our police station. The Ipswich Dispatch Center is staffed by highly qualified, trained and dedicated men and women. The idea of outsourcing...
Beyond the Comfort Zone
Samantha Hawkins Every 911 operator has that call that will demand more of them than usual … this was mine. I was the second 911 operator she had spoken with that morning. Only six minutes into our phone conversation on that 911 line, I had determined that she very...
Hour 1: Former Sheriff John Urquhart defends the 911 dispatcher on Sherman’s wife’s call (WA)
12PM - The Big Lead // GUEST: Former Sheriff John Urquhart defends the 911 dispatcher on Sherman's wife's call, explains procedure and training // Gov. Inslee says everything is climate change // Twitter upset with us for airing 911 call [PODCAST]
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