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Dispatchers play invaluable role in emergency response (Guam)
When you call 911, it's just not about 911 telecommunicators providing help over the phone, but often getting help to your location. EMD Ira Charfauros says the role of a dispatcher is to act as a support unit to firefighters and medics. Charfauros, who has been an...
LPD dispatchers on duty during officer shooting honored for their work (NE)
Brandi Villamonte was dispatching officers from the communications center in the basement at the Lincoln Police Department on Aug. 26 when the words came out on the radio over the lunch hour. "Shots fired. Officer down." Villamonte said she knew her husband, an...
Gridlock Guy: Helping ease the load for our heroic dispatchers
Last week was National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, a time to annually reflect on and appreciate the people that are just as vital to the first responders community as the men and women who drive up to relieve our problems. Dispatchers are the calm voices on...
Following last year’s mass shooting, Nova Scotia changes course on public emergency alerts (Canada)
In the year since 22 people were killed during Canada’s deadliest mass shooting, Nova Scotia has had a turnabout from never using the national public-alerting system to now circulating urgent police warnings about “civil emergencies” more than all other Canadian...
Oswego County Proclaims Telecommunication Week (NY)
OSWEGO COUNTY – The Oswego County Legislature recognized this week, April 11 to 17, as National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week. Telecommunicators are a vital link between our community and emergency services. They provide voice and computer support for first...
911 dispatcher helps Utah parents deliver their baby at home (UT)
AMERICAN FORK, Utah (KTVX) — A Utah 911 dispatcher helped a family deliver a baby over the phone Thursday. It was baby number five for American Fork couple Jennifer and Graydon Clark. Baby Henry spent Friday eating and sleeping, one day after his dramatic and intense...
City of Kilgore presents service awards (TX)
City of Kilgore presented service awards to multiple first responders in Kilgore Police Department and Kilgore Fire Department at Tuesday’s council meeting. In recognition of National Public Safety Telecommunicator’s Week, Support Operations Lt. Terry Linder...
City of Laredo 9-1-1 Regional Office honored with National Telecommunicators Week proclamation (TX)
On Thursday, the City of Laredo 9-1-1 Regional Office, along with City leadership, department heads and others, joined to proclaim National Telecommunicators Week in Laredo. The event took place at City Hall Council Chambers. The purpose for this week is to honor...
Sheriff’s Office supervisor accused of falsifying workers’ comp claim (FL)
FORT LAUDERDALE — A 911 supervisor at the Broward Sheriff’s Office has been accused of lying about a fall and then collecting workers’ compensation for it. Jennifer R. Blum, 45, a communications duty officer since 2000, is facing felony charges related to the workers’...
Commissioners to consider T-CPR agreement (MN)
NEW ULM — Brown County commissioners will consider an agreement between Allina Health Emergency Medical Service and the Brown County Sheriff’s Office for Telephonic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Program (T-CPR) on Tuesday, April 20. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed into...
Grayson County Sheriff’s Office holds telecommunications award banquet (TX)
SHERMAN, Texas (KXII) -The Grayson County Sheriff’s Office held their 9-1-1 telecommunications awards banquet tonight to celebrate the people on the other line during calls for emergencies. “You just have to try and not think about anything other than the call you’re...
911 Emergency Dispatchers Honored For Service (OR)
Last year, 911 dispatchers took 2 million emergency calls in Oregon-- responding to pandemic, floods, fires and a destructive winter storm. Governor Kate Brown honored 911 operators by declaring this Public Safety Telecommunications Week. (April 11-17, 2021). State...
Commissioners recognize Upshur E-911 Telecommunicators (WV)
BUCKHANNON — On March 25, 2020, Governor Jim Justice approved House Bill 4123 that was passed by the West Virginia Legislature, clarifying that 911 telecommunication workers are included in the definition of those individuals who perform “emergency services” during a...
WPD telecommunicator honored as professional of the year (TX)
Weatherford Police Department Telecommunications Officer Dylan Swackhammer was selected as a 911 Professional of the Year for the North Central Texas area. Swackhammer was one of nine to receive the honor from the North Central Texas Emergency Communications District...
Valley dispatchers honored for lifesaving efforts (CA)
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Dispatchers answer the calls no one wants to make. Life-changing trauma is often on the other end of the line. "A lot of the times they call in and we are their last resort, they don't know who to call," says Elaura Castro. Day in and day out,...
MAYOR: ‘Now I understand’ after touring emergency dispatch center (KS)
Hays Police Lt. Jeff Ridgway, Chief Don Scheibler, Lt. Brandon Wright, and Deputy Chief Brian Dawson look on as dispatch employees post for pictures with city commissioners Thursday as part of National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. Hays police officers gave...
Senior Public Safety Dispatchers of the Year (CA)
Without a doubt, 2020 was filled with challenge and controversy throughout. From civil unrest, political divide and a global pandemic, it was an unprecedented and turbulent year. The City of Santa Clara's Communications Center also faced the departure of the...
Allegany County 911 dispatchers recognized for public service (MD)
CUMBERLAND — The Allegany County Department of Emergency Services is recognizing the work of 24 dispatchers at its 911 Joint Communications Center in conjunction with National Telecommunications Week. In 2020, county dispatchers received 140,458 calls, many of which...
Special delivery: 911 dispatcher helps American Fork parents deliver their baby (CA)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A baby will come into the world at its own pace. Sometimes the baby is born after the due date. Sometimes they come early. For one woman, the baby came before she could get inside a hospital, but luckily a nurse was within earshot of the woman and...
Dispatchers Recognized for Hard Work during Telecommunicators Week (IN)
Dispatchers around the area are being recognized this week for their hard work in providing immediate assistance to those who call police for help. A 911 Dispatcher, or Telecommunicator, is the first person you talk to when you call 911 to report an emergency day or...
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.
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