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VPSO provides lunch for dispatchers in observance of National Public Safety Telecommunications Week (LA)
Last week the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office recognized dispatching personnel from VPSO and the Vernon E-911 Communications Office. VPSO provided lunch to these dispatchers in observance of National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. These individuals receive...
Pima County in need of more 911 dispatchers (AZ)
”We’re those first, first responders so when somebody has an emergency and they need law enforcement or medical help, they dial 911, we’re the ones that pick up that line,” said Amanda Rosano, dispatch supervisor for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
Daniels, Bryner earn KPD recognition (IL)
The Kewanee Police Department recently held its annual awards ceremony and banquet. The banquet was provided entirely through donations from three local businesses. Telecommunicator Breanne Bryner was also presented with a meritorious service award for her...
Cleveland police officer, 911 dispatcher both fired following separate investigations (OH)
CLEVELAND — An officer and a 911 dispatcher have both been fired from the Cleveland Division of Police following separate investigations into their conduct on and off the job, respectively. Sgt. Christopher Graham, a 25-year veteran of the force, was let go following...
“Call when you can, text when you can’t” (AL)
You can now ask for help without saying a word. The Baldwin County 9-1-1 system can now receive both calls and texts from residents who need assistance. Over the last several years the Alabama Next Generation Project (ANGEN) established an internet protocol network...
Gov. Eric Holcomb signs ‘Safe Haven 911’ into law (IN)
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind (WEHT) – Governor Eric Holcomb has signed House Bill 1230 into law. The law allows parents with extenuating circumstances to call 9-1-1 to give up custody of their child. Under Indiana’s Safe Haven law, a parent can anonymously give up an unwanted...
911 radio system needs upgrades, but conditions not optimal — yet (NE)
Upgrading the county’s communications system will be costly — currently estimated at $7.2 million — but will need to be done in the near future. A lot of work appears to remain to be done to get all entities receiving services through the Scotts Bluff County...
Exclusive: Tearful reunion between FedEx employee and Marion County 911 dispatcher who stayed on the phone throughout mass shooting (IN)
INDIANAPOLIS — A Marion County 911 dispatcher, several months into the job, answered the call to help keep a FedEx employee safe during the mayhem of the mass shooting at the facility on April 15. The employee, Amber Casares, reached out to FOX59 to ask for assistance to meet the…fox59.com
Flagler’s McKenzie Davis named 2020 Florida State Elks Associations Law Enforcement Support Employee of the Year (FL)
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office announced that Flagler County Dispatcher McKenzie Davis has been selected as the 2020 Florida State Elks Associations Law Enforcement Support Employee of the Year. Davis began her career at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office...
How Austin has spent millions of ‘reimagined’ police funds so far (TX)
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Last August, Austin City Council voted to immediately cut $20 million from the police department budget and begin a year-long process of transitioning $130 million in services away from police oversight. The city council already took steps...
Archer Heights street renamed in honor of Chicago 911 dispatcher, wife who died from COVID (NY)
CHICAGO (WLS) — The Archer Heights community celebrated two of its own Saturday, honoring Guadalupe and Maria Lopez by renaming a street after the couple who both lost their battles to COVID-19 last year. “It feels good to feel a sense of community, just to have...
Police and dispatchers help wrong way driver during medical emergency who drove down train tracks (KS)
OLATHE, Kansas (KCTV) — Olathe police and Johnson County dispatchers had to act fast Friday morning to save a wrong way driver who drove down train tracks as two oncoming trains came toward him near Northgate and Woodland Street. Someone called 911 to report a driver...
County to hire 911 director for future consolidation (AR)
The Crawford County Quorum Court is looking for a 911 director for the upcoming consolidation. Currently, the county has a 911 advisory board, but the board has appointed a committee made up of the county's police chiefs, fire chiefs, EMS, and sheriff's department. ...
Lethbridge first responders donate bikes to kids in need (Canada)
LETHBRIDGE, ALTA. -- With travel restrictions and more people staying close to home as the COVID-19 pandemic lingers on, interest in cycling is exploding and bikes continue to be some of the hottest items available for purchase. The Public Safety Communications Centre...
Borough to hire for 2 dispatch positions (AK)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough will hire two borough employees to replace outgoing state employees at the Soldotna Public Safety Communication Center following a unanimous vote in support of the hire by the assembly during their April 20 meeting. The SPSCC, which is...
FirstNet | Looking Back at an Unprecedented Year
Following every major large-scale disaster – whether manmade or natural – public safety develops an after-action report. These are vital to helping ensure that we are even more prepared for the next major event. And if there was ever a year that deserved such...
Listen To We Speak Dispatch Podcast Online At PodParadise.com
We Speak Dispatch is a group of 911 professionals discussing topics from the headlines, topics that are fun and interesting, topics that you care about. Our engaging conversations are designed to inspire more conversations, so if you have a topic you’d like to see...
Lewis County to Pay $210000 Settlement to Former 911 Dispatcher in Domestic Violence Suit (WA)
Apr. 21—Lewis County has agreed to pay out $210,000 to former 911 dispatcher Jerrie O’Connor, who alleged that county officials gave her schedule to her domestic abuser, allowed her abuser’s friends into the facility and retaliated against her for seeking accommodations under the Domestic Violence Leave Act.The settlement was announced by O’Connor’s attorney this week, four years after O’Connor brought her suit in Thurston County Superior Court.”The settlement is a victory for survivors of domestic violence,” O’Connor said in a prepared statement. “It means that employers cannot get away with these kinds of demands for verification and retaliatory acts even when the abuser is a law enforcement officer.”In 2017, an investigation by the state Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) backed up many of O’Connor’s claims, and the agency slapped Lewis County with a $2,500 fine for violating the Domestic Violence Leave Act, which guarantees victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking leave for medical or legal reasons or to relocate.In their report, L&I found that the county acted in a “reckless and negligent fashion,” according to previous reporting by The Chronicle. L&I also found that “Lewis County was not acting in good faith” when it released hundreds of pages of information to O’Connor’s alleged abuser, who had made verbal public records requests to the countyL&I’s report also said the county had denied O’Connor leave guaranteed under state law, retaliated against her for requesting time off and requested verification of her situation not required under state law.”Ms. O’Connor provided her supervisors at Lewis County all five of the forms of proof of domestic violence provided under (state law), yet the county demanded even more invasive forms of proof” reads the press release from O’Connor’s attorney, Lauren Berkowitz.”We are pleased to see Lewis County take accountability for its actions,” Berkowitz said in a prepared statement. “This was an egregious case of express violations of the law, which Ms. O’Connor pointed out to the county in writing and in real time. We hope the county and other employers faced with employees seeking domestic violence leave in complex legal circumstances will recognize that no employer is above the law.”
Dr. Jules Madrigal, Marble Falls police telecommunicators get their days (TX)
The Marble Falls City Council acknowledged the work of both Dr. Jules Madrigal and the Marble Falls Police Department Communication Division during its April 20 meeting. Mayor John Packer presented two proclamations: one designating April 20, 2021, as Dr. Jules...
Dispatch-fueled OCD : 911dispatchers
When I started my career as a dispatcher four years ago I was 24, fresh out of college and still living at ma & pa's crib. I worked 2nd shift, Wednesday/Thursday off (upgraded to Sunday/Monday now, woo!) . My social life took a hit, but the rents took care of most...
UPCOMING WEBINARREGISTER>
FirstNet Independence: A governance case study
Thursday, February 19, 2026
1:30 PM PT | 2:30 PM MT | 3:30 PM CT | 4:30 PM ET
As we are near the time Congress must reauthorize FirstNet, there needs to be a discussion on the review of FirstNet Governance. Join former FirstNet Board Chairs Sue Swenson, Chief Richard Carrizzo, and former Vice-Chair Chief Jeff Johnson, as they discuss the value of an independent FirstNet Authority, program oversight, and the need to protect and advance the nation’s public safety network.
The creation of the FirstNet Authority marked a deliberate and historic policy decision by Congress to establish an independent, nationwide public-safety broadband authority insulated from traditional departmental control. Born out of the lessons of 9/11 and codified in the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act, FirstNet was designed to operate with a singular mission: to ensure reliable, interoperable communications for the nation’s first responders. The discussion will examine the governance structure, rationale for its statutory independence, and oversight model.
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.
LISTEN TO PODCAST
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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