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Fairbanks Police Department reorganization is problematic (AK)
The city of Fairbanks has four union collective bargaining agreements (CBA’s) covering most of the 182 authorized positions. Some of these contracts are fairly easy to negotiate, but others take much more time. It is difficult for new council members to read the...
Good boy! AT&T’s FirstNet Deploys Therapy Dogs Nationwide to Support First Responders
Storm season is coming with potential disasters from coast to coast. But this year, first responders won’t have to face them alone. AT&T’s FirstNet has stationed more than 30 trained Labradoodles nationwide to offer them support on the front lines—easing the...
High unemployment during the pandemic didn’t spur applications to Shawnee County’s dispatch center. Here’s why (KS)
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Kansas was as high as 12.6% in April 2020. And the COVID-19 pandemic brought higher-than-usual unemployment rates, which Melanie Bergers and the dispatch center in Shawnee County were hoping would mean an increase in...
Lewisville is looking for ways to address dispatcher vacancies (TX)
On top of the normal stress that comes with the job, many North Texas 911 dispatchers have also had to deal with extended work hours. They’re filling the gaps created by the number of dispatcher vacancies many cities, including Lewisville, are experiencing. Kevin...
Clear communication (MA)
Emergency communications went digital Thursday afternoon, after the Dukes County Sheriff’s Office implemented an upgrade to its aged communications system. Sheriff’s office employees, along with engineers and technicians that helped install the new system, gathered at...
NIST Unveils Guide to Mobile Device Authentication for First Responders
June 03, 2021 - A new NIST report sheds light on the role of mobile device biometrics for authentication to provide first responders immediate access to sensitive data, as an increasing number of public safety organizations adopt mobile devices to...
North Central Texas Emergency Communications District Celebrates 30 Years of Innovation and Servant Leadership
ARLINGTON, Texas, June 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The North Central Texas Emergency Communications District (NCT9-1-1) celebrates its 30-year anniversary today. Since its creation in 1991, NCT9-1-1 has established itself as a district committed to furthering innovation...
Baird resigns from E-911 after ‘demotion’ (TN)
Veteran dispatcher Mary Jo Baird has resigned following what is essentially a ‘demotion’ as interim director of the Claiborne E-911 system. The Claiborne Emergency Communications Board decided during its May meeting to appoint Claiborne Sheriff Bob Brooks to the post...
Ocala council OKs communication center expansion, moves charter language measure forward (FL)
In a 5-0 vote, the Ocala City Council on Tuesday agreed to fund the expansion of the Ocala Police Department's Communications Center. The cost will be a little more than $1 million, with funding coming from infrastructure surtax revenue. The expansion...
How non-emergency 911 calls are handled in Ingham County (MI)
LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - Following the death of George Floyd last year, some Americans have been looking closer at how police respond to emergency calls. In 2020, Ingham County Dispatch received over 150,000 calls to 911. Not all of those needed a police or fire...
Providing Emergency Contact Information Could Help Enhance 911 Services (AL)
Cherokee County 911 is requesting your help to further enhance their capabilities by obtaining Emergency Contact Information. Day after day alarm companies are calling in alarm activation’s such as burglar alarms, fire alarms, and medical alarms. Once law enforcement...
9-1-1 centers across the commonwealth to get major upgrades (PA)
CLEARFIELD COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) – 9-1-1 centers across the commonwealth will receive major upgrades in the near future. Through “Next Generation 9-1-1” plan. an IP based system which will be installed in all dispatch centers across Pa. This will allow dispatchers and...
Texting 911 now offered in Wrangell, Petersburg area (AK)
Petersburg police are now able to receive text messages to 911 from some people with cell phones. Police chief Jim Kerr said this text-to-911, as it’s called, went live Tuesday for customers of AT&T. It won’t be available for cell phone users with GCI service...
Boone County collaborative effort adopts app to improve cardiac arrest (MO)
COLUMBIA - Multiple Boone County health organizations are coming together to educate and arm the public with tools to improve the survival odds of cardiac arrest. MU Health Care, Boone County Joint Communications, Boone Health Ambulance Service, Boone County...
More than a dozen cities push to minimize or even eliminate police presence at mental health calls
(CNN) — More than a dozen cities are developing “alternative” or “co-response” programs to minimize or eliminate the role of police officers responding to 911 calls involving mental health, homelessness, or substance abuse. Thirteen cities just finished an eight-week...
FCC Secures 9-1-1 Vertical Location Commitments from Wireless Carriers
FCC Secures Life-Saving Commitments From Wireless Carriers To Deliver 9-1-1 Vertical Location Information Nationwide. Federal Communications Commission Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel this week announced agreements with America’s three largest mobile phone...
Assistive AI keeps the human element in public safety
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the most disruptive innovation in a generation. It is quickly becoming an essential component in many industries, including public safety. A perfect example of this combination of technology-assistance and human decision-making is in...
9-1-1 Festival begins Friday (AL)
HALEYVILLE - First responders--those who daily put their lives on the line serving others--will literally take center stage at the Haleyville 9-1-1 Festival Friday, June 4, and Saturday, June 5.Celebrating Haleyville as the birthplace of the nation’s first 9-1-1...
The FCC’s decision to reallocate the safety band spectrum will impede efforts to save lives
As chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I have a responsibility to ensure that actions Congress and the federal government take regarding our transportation networks contribute to, and do not detract from, public safety. That’s why I oppose the...
Lewis County 911 Receives $150000 TransAlta Grant to Upgrade Software and Equipment (WA)
Lewis County 911 Communications has received a $150,000 grant to upgrade its software and equipment that will help the dispatch center maintain and improve its services for the next five years. The grant comes from the TransAlta Centralia Coal Transition Grants...
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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