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RapidDeploy and Western Fire Chiefs Association Announce Strategic Partnership
"WFCA's storied history of grappling with the many hazards associated with the Western states' unique environment and geography will bring unparalleled perspective for the team at RapidDeploy," RapidDeploy CEO Steve Raucher said. "Our new alliance will offer an...
Sac County Board approves $4.8 million bond for communication tower (IA)
The Sac County Board of Supervisors approved a $4.8 million bond to build a communication tower between Schaller and Early so the county’s first responders have access to the statewide emergency communications network. Sheriff Ken McClure told The Storm Lake Times the...
Kentucky 911 Dispatch Begins Accepting Smartphone Photos, Videos
New technology adopted by Owensboro-Daviess County 911 dispatch allows people to send video and photos from smartphones directly to dispatchers. City-county 911 Director Paul Nave said the technology could help emergency crews prepare their responses to incidents, and...
Delaware starting to formulate plans for ‘988’ mental health hotline
Delaware officials are still sorting out how to take advantage of an upcoming shortened national phone number to access suicide prevention help. An FCC goal is in place that by July 16, 2022, dialing 988 will allow callers to more quickly reach the National Suicide...
Grant allows enhancement of Crisp emergency communications (GA)
Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), Christopher Nunn made a stop in Cordele Wednesday to announce the awarding of a $347,454 grant from the DCA to Crisp County that will allow enhancements of the emergency communications system. “These...
MetroSafe in need of dispatchers, call-takers as 911 center is consistently understaffed (KY)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Over 30 positions are vacant at the MetroSafe 911 center and officials say filling these vacant positions has been a challenge even before the pandemic. “There are people who retire out of this position and when they do, we need to fill those...
VIDEO: Combating 911 Dispatcher Burnout (CA)
911 dispatchers have some of the most stressful jobs in the world. They are constantly helping people through the toughest moments of their lives. All that stress can lead to high levels of burnout and turnover. That is bad news not just for the dispatchers, but for...
Arlington Emergency Communications Deputy Wins State Recognition (VA)
The Virginia Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (VA APCO) has honored Arlington’s Emergency Communications Center (ECC) Deputy Administrator Jeffrey Horwitz with its Public-Safety Communications Information Technologist of the Year award. The honor...
APCO Applauds FCC Action on 4.9 GHz Public Safety Spectrum
Alexandria, VA – Today the Federal Communications Commission adopted an order staying – or suspending – provisions of its rules for the 4.9 GHz spectrum band that would permit licensing of the spectrum for commercial purposes. This action is responsive to...
Director of Michigan P25 network clarifies L3Harris role: 'No intentions to swap out any of the system'
Agencies on Michigan’s statewide P25 system again are able to buy L3Harris Technologies equipment for their operations on the network, but the system director said there is no shift from Motorola Solutions, despite significant industry speculation sparked by a recent...
Dispatcher Recounts Call With Homeless Woman That ‘Changed Her Life Forever’ (CA)
A 911 dispatcher recalls a heartfelt phone call from a homeless woman that “changed her life forever.” The woman begins by sharing her background and the events that led to the life-changing encounter. “My name is Priscilla and I am a 911 dispatcher in Santa Clara...
Calls for service increased for 911 center in 2020 (KY)
The Owensboro-Daviess County 911 dispatch center took 25,000 more calls in 2020 than during the previous year, according to statistics released by the Owensboro Police Department. But while overall calls were up, the number of people calling 911 with an emergency...
County to begin negotiations for new E911 system (VA)
The Lunenburg County Board of Supervisors (BOS) unanimously voted to take the next steps in moving the county further in developing a new E911 radio communication system. The new system, which could see construction begin next summer, will cost the county around $3.8...
Spingler: New York should reclassify emergency dispatchers
The minimum qualifications and the amount of training required to develop a successful emergency dispatcher is extensive. Pair this with the competency level required in handling a 9-1-1 call. The people behind the scenes doing this job are professionals in their...
‘A one-in-a-million chance’: Dispatcher answers call from friend in labor (KS)
For most of us, the last thing we’d expect to hear when dialing 911 is a familiar voice. But that’s exactly what happened during an emergency in Nebraska last week. It’s given some childhood friends another incredible memory. “I’ve never heard of anything like that...
Lowell Police dispatcher signs off after 32 years of service (GA)
LOWELL — After a 32-year career fielding countless emergency calls ranging from complaints of loud music to women in labor, the city’s lead dispatcher Denise Pelletier signed off for the final time on May 15 and delved into the retired life. Pelletier could probably...
FCC approves stay order to halt leasing rules for 4.9 GHz spectrum
FCC commissioners this week released an order that grants a request from the Public Safety Spectrum Alliance (PSSA), indefinitely suspending the 4.9 GHz rules passed last year that would have let states lease the longtime public-safety spectrum to commercial entities....
911 Board Purchases Land, Construction Project Postponed (TN)
HUNTINGDON (May 18) — Carroll County Emergency Communications District Board of Directors (911 Board) were notified by Kristy Meggs, director, the district purchased the 28 acres of land adjacent to the headquarters on Dillahunty Lane. The price was $36,500 for the...
Study Suggests Dissolving Police Department (NC)
Hertford Town Council released a study Monday suggesting the cost of contracting law enforcement services through the Perquimans County Sheriff’s Office could save the Town hundreds of thousands of dollars per year versus continuing to operate a separate police...
Records: Durham 911 calls shifted to Raleigh delayed responses (NC)
By Sarah Krueger, WRAL Durham reporter Durham, N.C. — Records obtained by WRAL Investigates show staffing shortages at Durham's 911 center have delayed emergency response times by as much as 13 minutes this year. Firefighters routinely report issues with 911...
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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