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Florida Department of Education Selects Motorola Solutions and SaferWatch for Statewide Mobile Panic Alert System for Florida’s K-12 Schools
The Florida Department of Education (DOE) announced it selected Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) as a preferred provider for the deployment of a statewide mobile panic alert system for Florida’s K-12 schools. To deliver the solution, Motorola Solutions teamed up...
Flagstaff Police, CCSO Launch New “Text To 9-1-1” Service (AZ)
The Flagstaff Police Department, along with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, has launched their new “Text-to-9-1-1” service. The service started Tuesday. A user can send a text message to “9-1-1” and it will be routed to the dispatch center. Officials recommend...
First Responders | Mineral County dispatchers processed nearly 8000 calls to 911 lines last year (WV)
KEYSER, W.Va. — The Mineral County emergency center handled nearly 8,000 calls to its 911 lines from March through December of last year, according to Luke McKenzie, director of Emergency Services that includes emergency management, 911 and mapping and addressing. “We...
Public Safety Features To Consider For In-Building Connectivity
Public safety communications systems are not only essential for first responders but are required in multidwelling apartments, stadiums, hospitals, schools, enterprises and any other occupied building. These emergency responder communication enhancement systems...
Rita Smith gets vote of confidence as Lee County Emergency Management Director (AL)
The Lee County Commission voted unanimously Monday night to keep Rita Smith in charge of the county’s Emergency Management Agency. Smith has served as interim director since former director Kathy Carson was terminated by the commission for not following county...
Sikeston Department of Public Safety is Hiring (MO)
As police in Sikeston continue the search for 28-year-old murder suspect Kyle Johnson in the shooting death of Jacob Moore, the department faces another challenge: staffing. “Staffing has been a problem across the nation and it’s no different for us,” said Sikeston...
FirstNet Expands Coverage to Support Public Safety; Edward Parkinson Quoted
FirstNet has announced that its network now covers more than 2.71 million square miles, the company reported on Monday. In 2020, AT&T added nearly 100 thousand square miles to the FirstNet coverage footprint. "2020 made it clearer than ever before...
Data: FirstNet’s Subscription Base Grew 40% Last Year
Now entering its fourth year of operation, FirstNet is still seeing rapid growth across several metrics. That makes sense, given the ambitious nature of the project: FirstNet is the United States’ big attempt at creating a nationwide, interoperable network for public...
Black History Month: 911 dispatcher on her job and what a personal tragedy taught her (SC)
Editor’s note: This month, in honor of Black History Month, The Herald is highlighting voices in the region who you may not have heard about. These are Black people who quietly have an impact in our communities. Today The Herald is featuring Telatha Graham, a 911...
Montgomery County Government: Police Call Center Assisted In Four Baby Deliveries In 2020 (MD)
Police aren't trained to deliver babies, but when help is needed, the Montgomery County Police Department steps up to the plate. Cassandra Onley, director of the emergency communications center said out of the 727,000 calls the department received last year, call...
Lawsuit: MO woman died after dispatchers took 10 minutes to send help
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Prairie Village boy who called 911 after his mother collapsed waited more than 10 minutes for emergency dispatchers to send help, according to a lawsuit that claims several agencies in Kansas City are at fault for the woman's...
Yuba City Police chief outlines uses for $107K state grant (CA)
The Yuba City Police Department plans to use a $107,000 state grant this year to purchase new equipment for patrol, traffic, its hostage negotiations team and SWAT. Yuba City Police Chief Rob Landon said state funding was awarded to local law enforcement entities over...
Gwinnett County Public Servants Honored At 2021 Valor Public Safety Awards (GA)
Local public servants received top honors for bravery and much-deserved praise at the 2021 Valor Awards on Wednesday, Feb. 17, held at the Infinite Energy Forum. The event, hosted by Gwinnett Chamber and presented by Mobile Communications America and Motorola...
NS RCMP 911 dispatchers to operate out of new centre (Canada)
HALIFAX, N.S. — Nova Scotia RCMP 911 police dispatchers will soon answer emergency calls out of a new communications centre at its headquarters in Dartmouth. In a news release Friday, Nova Scotia RCMP said its dispatchers will begin working out of the operation...
Pregnant 911 Dispatcher helps to give birth to a baby over the phone (FL)
In her five years as a telecommunicator in Florida, Christine Sebris answered more than 30,000 911 calls, but never had a call like Saturday. “It was around 5 am,” Sebris said. “I called a woman with uterine contractions during labor.” In the 911 phone recording, I...
Deputies: Man misused 911, called dispatchers multiple times in one day (CA)
HANFORD — The Kings County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man after he called 911 multiple times in one day and falsely reported emergencies, they said. On Wednesday, officials said the Hanford Police Department Dispatch Center received a 911 call from a male subject,...
911 Dispatchers go the extra mile to move through weather conditions (WV)
As winter weather conditions move through the Two Virginias, 911 dispatchers in Tazewell County were prepared for what the snow and ice could bring. Every phone call for help from every corner of Tazewell County comes into this room. "The job can be very stressful....
Statewide public safety equipment coming to Norfolk (NE)
NORFOLK - Public safety communications equipment will soon be enhanced after approval of a memorandum of understanding. Earlier this week, Public Safety Director Shane Weidner presented to the Norfolk City Council the agreement which allows the placement of Nebraska...
Cortez Dispatch Center upgrading network for 911 calls (CO)
Because of an upgrade to its 911 emergency network, the Cortez Dispatch Center is asking businesses and organizations to check that they can still reach 911. Businesses and organizations that have a phone system with more than one extension are encouraged to talk with...
Lee County’s emergency communications system gets a $14 million upgrade (FL)
Hurricane Irma revealed flaws in Lee County’s emergency system. But now those flaws have been fixed. In case of emergency or disaster, first responders can now be sure they’ll hear each other on their radios. Crews spent Thursday installing a tower shelter to protect...
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.
REGISTER
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