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DFEMS wants 911 calls ‘centralized’ (Micronesia)
DEPARTMENT of Fire and Emergency Medical Services Commissioner Dennis Mendiola said there is a need to “centralize” 911 emergency calls. “We are communicating with the Department of Public Safety, CNMI Homeland Security, the governor’s office, and the Legislature to...
San Jose Dispatchers Warn 911 Calls May Be Put on Hold Due to Staffing Shortage (CA)
San Jose’s 911 dispatchers are sounding the alarm and urging the city council to take immediate action addressing a staffing shortage. Dispatchers said the staffing issue means some calls for help are getting put on hold. Fire dispatchers said during the VTA yard...
Upper Arlington’s Municipal Services Center slated for $2.5M in renovations (OH)
Upper Arlington is eyeing an estimated $2.5 million in security upgrades and renovations to the city's Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Road. Space from the city's former 911 dispatching room can be incorporated into either the existing UAPD space or City...
City to build own Emergency Call Center, look for partner cities (AZ)
With a study into a potential merger with the city of Chandler on Emergency Call Center services now called off, Maricopa is looking to build its own facility and host operations for municipal partners. The Chandler study was halted for a variety of reasons, according...
City manager provides update on Communications Center Agreement to council (TX)
The Harker Heights City Council, at a recent meeting, heard a report from City Manager David Mitchell, concerning the updating of the Bell County 9-1-1 Communications Center Agreement, which, in addition to Harker Heights, serves Killeen, Temple, Belton, and Bell...
Apple Watch goes berserk – keeps dialing 911
Apple’s devices are usually expensive relative to the competition. The argument that Apple fans make on behalf of the company is that Apple doesn’t compromise its quality. Thus, you would expect that its devices will be perfect and without any design fails. However,...
Huawei loses court appeal as FCC increases pressure on ‘national security threat’
Huawei's court challenge to a Federal Communications Commission order that declared it to be a national security threat and denied it access to federal funding was rejected as the FCC ramps up pressure on the company and seeks to deny all future authorizations to it...
Saint Clare’s Discusses What Happens When You Dial 9-1-1 (NJ)
Watch “9-1-1 Where is Your Emergency?” featuring John Cronin, Emergency Medical Services Manager, Saint Clare’s Health as he discusses what happens as soon as a 9-1-1 call is placed. This video from the Saint Clare’s Health online series, ’Let’s Talk Health’, hosted...
E-911 Director Renews Request for Help from County in Funding New Dispatcher Position (TN)
Due to increased call volume and workload over the last 16 years, the DeKalb County Emergency Communications District (E-911) is looking to hire more dispatchers with extra help from the City of Smithville and DeKalb County governments. The city has already done its...
Oakland County dispatchers train to become masters of chaos (MI)
Aubrey Higgins proved to her trainers recently that she was prepared to master Oakland County chaos on her own. The new telecommunicator graduated from six months of 911 call center training by calmly organizing emergency responses to a busy simulated half-hour's...
Proposed fire dispatch deal could save Sooke thousands of dollars (Canada)
The City of Langford’s decision to strike out on its own for emergency fire dispatch services will likely put more cash in the pockets of Sooke taxpayers. Langford has operated a joint fire dispatch service for nine years with Sooke, Highlands, Metchosin, Salt Spring...
Atlanta airport reverses course, hiring Emergency Medical Dispatchers after 11Alive investigation (GA)
After insisting an EMD program would be 'too challenging,' airport officials are planning to train all 911 dispatchers to handle medical calls. COLLEGE PARK, Ga. — Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is now hiring Emergency Medical Dispatchers and EMD...
Arlington auditor abandons study of sheriff’s-office overtime (VA)
On second thought . . . well, never mind. The Arlington County government auditor, Chris Horton, has received permission to abandon an in-progress look at overtime costs at the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office. The audit began prior to the pandemic, and with its...
FCC votes to prevent authorization of equipment deemed a risk
WASHINGTON – The Federal Communications Commission, which plays an important role in protecting the security of America's communications networks, today proposed rules that would prohibit all future authorizations for communications equipment deemed to pose an...
River Rouge police dispatcher says she was fired after racial harassment (MI)
RIVER ROUGE, Mich. (FOX 2) - "I felt uncomfortable, I am already frightened to go to work," Felicia Beard said. "I was already intimidated." Felicia Beard worked for the River Rouge Police Department for 17 years, but the 911 dispatcher says the racism,...
SOMA Wearable Tracks First Responders’ Location, Biometrics
“The smartwatch will complement SOMA’s broader “Public Safety as a Service” cloud platform, which includes dispatch, emergency response, data interoperability, and jail management components.” Law enforcement tech specialist SOMA Global has announced a new smartwatch...
Council supports KPD scanner encryption (HI)
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i County Council voiced support for the Kaua‘i Police Department’s continued efforts to encrypt dispatch communications. KPD Chief Todd Raybuck said that it’s “pretty common knowledge where our officers are assigned and how many officers we have on...
County announces $6.8 million public safety radio improvement project for Humboldt (CA)
HUMBOLDT, Calif. — Humboldt County announced Thursday a new project to improve their public safety radio system as they said communication is critical during an emergency and the project is long overdue. The project focuses on the system linking first responders...
San Ramon Police, Fire, 911 Dispatchers To Get A New Home (CA)
SAN RAMON, CA — Construction is now underway on the San Ramon Public Safety Complex. It kicked off with a recent groundbreaking ceremony at 2401 Crow Canyon Road in San Ramon, where the complex will be located. The 9,800-square-foot building will house the San Ramon...
Newton County breaks ground on tower for incoming E-911 radio system (GA)
OXFORD, Ga. — Next summer, public safety radio dead spots across Newton County will be no more. County officials and first responders gathered outside Newton County Fire Station No. 9, located at 176 Mt. Zion Road in Oxford, on Thursday to break ground on the...
UPCOMING EVENTREGISTER>
The Inaugural Howard C. Liebengood Foundation Symposium: The Evolving Law Enforcement Landscape & the First Responder Mental Health Crisis
Wednesday, September 30 to Thursday, October 1, 2026
Law enforcement is operating in one of the most demanding environments in modern history. Shifting public expectations, critical incidents, and ongoing organizational pressures have reshaped the profession, and the impact on officer health and agency stability has never been greater. This inaugural symposium convenes law enforcement leaders, mental health and health care experts, researchers, and bipartisan policymakers to explore practical, evidence-informed solutions. Grounded in research and lived experience, this symposium focuses on translating knowledge into action.
Over two days, participants will examine the evolving policing landscape, confront the profession’s mental health crisis—including elevated rates of suicide, PTSD, depression, and anxiety—and identify strategies to strengthen resilience, crisis response, and organizational leadership.
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.
PETITIONS
Congress should reauthorize the FirstNet Authority now.
Support the reauthorization of the FirstNet Authority to preserve public safety’s network
PSBTA UPDATES
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
GRANTS
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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