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County’s 911 Center shares duties among local agencies’ (OK)
Confusion sometimes arises about Cherokee County's 911 system, because its operations center houses three agencies for receiving all emergency calls. CC911 provides dispatchers/call takers who are employed by their own individual agencies, except for the Tahlequah...
Southside fire, police dispatch duties to transfer to Etowah County 911 (AL)
The Southside City Council voted to transfer dispatching duties to the Etowah County Communication District — a move that should shave precious minutes off the time it takes to get help on the way in an emergency. "The move is an attempt to reduce response time by...
Young girl calls 911 with message for sheriff, first responders: ‘I love y’all’ (MS)
Six-year-old Mylah Santa Maria called 911 to deliver an urgent message. "I need y’all to tell the sheriff … that I love him and I love y’all," Mylah, of Collins, Mississippi, told the dispatcher, according to WDAM7. "I will make sure that I get that to him, OK?"...
During a wildfire, here’s how Sonoma County dispatchers alert residents and firefighters (CA)
Redcom dispatcher William Buck was nearly eight hours into a 12-hour shift on June 29 when he took a 911 call about an unconscious 12-year-old boy in Santa Rosa. He collected information for paramedics to reach the child before instructing an older sister on how to...
Lincoln 911 dispatcher taken to hospital after suspected lightning strike (RI)
LINCOLN, R.I. (WJAR) — Lincoln Police Chief Brian Sullivan said a believed lightning strike has sent one of their dispatchers to the hospital. Sullivan said they believe their dispatch tower was struck by lightning during Saturday's thunderstorms. The chief said the...
Joanie Best prepares Crawford County for 911 dispatch department consolidation (AR)
Joanie Best believes she was made to be an emergency services dispatcher. And now she believes the years she’s spent building a career in that difficult field has made her a perfect choice to lead Crawford County into its 911 consolidation process. “I love it....
‘A tremendous honor’: Cambria County 911 coordinator retires to focus on teaching, family (PA)
A longtime Cambria County 911 employee is retiring to embark on the next chapters of her life. Robbin Melnyk, 56, retired as the county’s 911 coordinator and Department of Emergency Services deputy director earlier this month to focus more on her family and educating...
Coos Bay to get new dispatching equipment (OR)
The Coos Bay City Council voted unanimously to spend up to $159,000 to purchase new equipment for emergency dispatchers. Police Chief Chris Chapanar said the equipment for the 9-1-1 dispatchers is desperately needed. “The 9-1-1 dispatch center is currently using...
Saratoga County announces initiative to bolster AED database (NY)
BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. — Saratoga County officials today announced its Office of Emergency Services is hosting a contest with cash prizes for those who help locate automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) around the county. The contest, in partnership with the EMS...
County works to improve rural emergency communications (NM)
BERNALILLO — Sandoval County Fire Chief Eric Masterson looks to improve and expand emergency communications for more remote sections of the county, including Jemez Springs, Cuba and Regina.
Masterson told the Sandoval County Commission during Thursday’s meeting at the county administration building that the county Emergency Management Office, part of the fire department, plans to utilize state funding to build the program and look at additional funding sources to expand it even more.
He said the department’s striving for those communication signals to be broadcasted with more clarity and less static. Masterson also told the board his department’s working to address the issue of what he called “dead space” in areas like Jemez Springs.
“Jemez Springs is in the middle of a canyon, so getting radio signals down into it is challenging. We’re looking at additional tower sites, and we’re looking at additional Wi-Fi router-type capability that would be able to make sure that Jemez Springs is covered as well,” he told the Observer following the meeting. “If we can find a couple tower sites that we can shoot a signal up into the canyon, that’s our best bet. If there’s just no sites available, there are other technology options like utilizing cell phone carriers.”
He told the board the Navajo Nation suggested its towers can be utilized.
Sandoval County’ s newest Fire Chief Eric Masterson.
Masterson told the Observer his department needs to have such working partnerships in the area, adding it should explore other infrastructure that may be available and take advantage of it.
He told the board his department invested $4 million for the project long-term. The program will abide by state and Federal Communications Commission guidelines, he said, and the state will contact the department if an issue arises.
Masterson told the board once his department programs everything for the new system, it’ll be like flipping a switch to talk on a state radio system. If it suddenly doesn’t work, however, it can be switched back to the current system to talk to dispatch and address problems.
Masterson also told the board the maintenance cost would be $20 per radio each month.
County Commissioner Jay Block inquired about testing data. Masterson replied he’s working with Motorola and looking into how other states are implementing their systems.
As far as various logistics go, including dealing with inclement weather, Commission Chairman David Heil requested that Masterson iron those out for the next commission meeting.
Roanoke County sees emergency dispatch shortage (VA)
ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – Emergency calls are still coming in, but Roanoke County is seeing a shortage of emergency dispatchers. There are two openings currently, but with six people still training, the team is feeling the pressure. Training tends to last six to eight...
Federal Funding Opportunities for 911
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community FacilitiesCommunity Facilities programs provide loans, grants, and loan guarantees for essential community facilities in rural areas and towns up to 20,000 in population. Priority is given to health care, education, and...
Fiscal court tours E911 facility (KY)
BENTON — Marshall County Fiscal Court took a recess during its recent meeting to tour the E911 facility. Director Chris Freeman welcomed the court, along with many others, and gave a presentation on how it would greatly benefit Marshall County’s emergency...
DPS releases final draft of the Ten-Year Telecom Plan (VT)
The Ten-Year Plan was developed in partnership with CTC Energy and Technology and Rural Innovations Strategies, Inc. The 365-page Plan provides an overview of the current state of telecommunications services and facilities in the state, current trends in usage and...
Centre prison, 911 workers get $5 pay hike (CT)
BELLEFONTE — Some Centre County employees will see more money in their paychecks very soon. During Thursday’s salary board meeting, the board approved a $5 per hour pay hike for Centre County workers at both the Emergency Communications Center and the Centre County...
St. Louis’ 911 delays have not improved this year. What can be done to fix it? (MO)
ST. LOUIS — On a recent afternoon, just two dispatchers were tasked with answering all St. Louis 911 and nonemergency police calls for their full eight-hour shifts. The 911 wait […]
Police agencies in San Diego County move toward encryption of scanner traffic (CA)
When gunshots ring out in a neighborhood, a police scanner can come in handy. News reporters listen to scanner traffic to piece together what is happening. Sometimes residents tune in via cellphone apps. Now, more and more, that source of information is being cut off....
Ionia County hires Central Dispatch director (MI)
IONIA — Ionia County is bringing in an experienced candidate to serve as its next director of Central Dispatch. The Ionia County Board of Commissioners voted 6-0 Tuesday, July 13, to hire Lance Langdon as the next leader of its emergency response center. Langdon...
Cobb County E911 Emergency Department accredited for seventh time (GA)
Cobb County E911 Director Melissa Alterio announced in a news release on the Cobb County website that her department was accredited for the seventh time by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). Cobb County E911 was first...
South Sound 911’s new, bigger communications building almost open. Here’s a look inside (WA)
South Sound 911’s new regional communications center is set to open its public counter July 20, bringing Pierce County and dispatchers a bigger, more effective space for operations. The building spans 74,528 square feet and cost $59 million to construct. Construction...
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.
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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.
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