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Richards retires as communications director, Rexus takes over position (NE)
Leadership at the Scotts Bluff County Communications Center is changing hands. On Friday, outgoing director Ray Richards turned in his keys and marked his retirement with a reception in the afternoon. Richards served for 13 years as the director of the Scotts Bluff...
RIVERSIDE FIRE DEPARTMENT READY FOR NEW COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM (IA)
The Riverside Fire Department has been waiting its turn to begin using the enhanced emergency radio system now in place at the new Washington County Communications Center. The county began utilizing a new RACOM radio communication system in January and has brought all...
Weld County urges organizations with multiple phone extensions to ensure 911 calls are routed correctly (CO)
As the state converted 911 systems to IP-based digital technology in 2020, some phone systems may have been left behind. The Weld County Department of Public Safety Communications and the Colorado Public Utilities Commission are encouraging organizations with multiple...
Live911 is Changing the Game for Emergency Response
When you are in an emergency and waiting for help to arrive, every minute seems like forever. You call 911, give them your location and explain what is happening and while on the phone they dispatch the appropriate agency. What if you did not have to wait for the 911...
Emergency communications system ‘loud and clear'(IA)
Mar. 2—"Union County 88-1, ... radio check please." "88-1, you are 10-2." Union County Sheriff Mark Sheriff made the ceremonial first call and dispatch responded with the code for "loud and clear" on the county's new $7.2 million emergency communications system during...
AT&T : FirstNet Cell Site Launches in Hunterdon County, NJ to Support Public Safety
What's the news? Hunterdon County's first responders are getting a major boost in their wireless communications thanks to the FirstNet network expansion currently underway by AT&T*. We've added a new, purpose-built cell site- located in Bethlehem Township around...
Cowlitz County 911 call center to ease flood dangers (WA)
For nearly 28 years, Deanna Wells, the IT CAD vendor manager at the Cowlitz County 911 call center, has heard about the need to move from their current location — below the flood plain — in the Kelso Hall of Justice basement. On Monday, March 1, construction broke...
Public Safety Needs Increase as County’s Population Grows (NC)
Moore County’s increasing population is driving up public safety costs across the area. When the Board of Commissioners met for its annual winter summit last week, in advance of the upcoming budget season, law enforcement and fire protection funding requests were at...
Chagrin Valley Dispatcher Credited With Saving Choking Dog’s Life (OH)
SOLON, OH — Marra Wargo may have never anticipated that her prior experience working at a veterinarian clinic would pay dividends in her current role as a Chagrin Valley dispatcher. But it's not every day that a local resident calls 911 saying that her dog is having...
Phoenix Employee on Life Support After 15-Hour Shift in the City’s Understaffed 911 Dispatch (AZ)
Shirley Ryan had just left the house to go to the store on Saturday when she got a call about her daughter that no mother wants to get. “Ten minutes after I went out, her husband called me and said 'She coded. She’s dead,'” Ryan said. The previous night, Ryan's...
Ray Richards Retires as County 911 Communications Center Director (NE)
The baritone voice of Ray Richards will be heard just a bit less by the public going forward, as he was one of two Scotts Bluff County employees retiring at the end of February. Richards stepped down after 13 years as 911 County Communications Director on Friday, with...
County Commissioners honor Central Communications dispatcher, Delran Police Officer for baby delivery during snow storm (NJ)
WESTAMPTON – The Burlington County Board of County Commissioners honored a Burlington County Central Communications dispatcher and Delran police officer for their roles in the safe delivery of a healthy baby girl during a snowstorm. The three-day storm between Jan....
Bill forcing tax negotiations between SpBill forcing tax negotiations between Spokane city and county on emergency communications passes House (WA)
OLYMPIA – The county-led Spokane Regional Emergency Communications agency and the city of Spokane may soon be forced to reach an agreement on how to form one emergency communications agency to determine how certain tax revenue is used. Despite opposition from...
Emergency Communications | Johnson County Kansas [Video]
Johnson County Emergency Communications manages countywide emergency communications systems and dispatch services. Operations is responsible for the processing of emergency and non-emergency calls for assistance received on E911 (Enhanced 911) and 10-digit phone...
IDOT communications center gets $7 million upgrade (IL)
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — A major overhaul at the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is keeping people safer on the roads. IDOT spent $7 million renovating their communications center in Springfield. Officials said it was a necessary step in...
Clarke 911 center now accepting emergency texts (VA)
BERRYVILLE — Clarke County’s 911 Communications Center has begun accepting text messages. The Clarke County Sheriff’s Office, which operates the center, is “constantly updating our equipment” to include the latest communications technology, said Sheriff Tony...
Two Loveland Police 911 dispatchers host podcast about what they do (CO)
Two of the Loveland Police Department’s dispatch team members have taken their appreciation for their positions to the next level, launching a podcast to talk about their job as dispatchers and further educate the community on what they do. During her training in...
Shelby County Fire dispatchers get training to handle pandemic-related mental health calls (TN)
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Dispatchers with the Shelby County Fire Department have received additional training to deal with the mental health issues brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Shelby County Fire Department said this week 16 dispatchers received nationally...
New site for Fairfield-Westport dispatch center to cost $1.1M more (CT)
FAIRFIELD — The dispatch partnership between the town and Westport is still on track, but will cost about $1.1 million more than originally anticipated. The project is now expected to cost about $4 million, up from the initial $2.9 million. The increase is largely due...
Springfield Consolidates Police, Fire Dispatching (MA)
The largest city in western Massachusetts has finished a project to improve its response to emergencies. A new consolidated centralized 911 dispatch center has become operational for the Springfield Police and Fire Departments. The opening of...
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We welcome your insights on the experiences and operational challenges you encounter as a public safety professional. By participating in this FirstNet Authority survey, you’ll help shape future enhancements to ensure they meet the mission‑critical, real‑world needs of the public safety community. The survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.
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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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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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