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FirstNet Powers the Future of Emergency Management
By Kyle S. Richardson, Senior Public Safety Advisor, First Responder Network Authority
Emergency management thrives on good communication, and good communication is based on good information—pertinent, timely information. As a senior public safety advisor for the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority), I work with emergency managers and other officials to understand their current public safety communications, and what they need and want in the future.
One big thing I hear is that, with advances in broadband technologies, emergency managers now have access to more and better information than ever before. FirstNet, the nationwide public safety broadband network, is a key to accessing these new data sources at the right time and the right place. READ FULL ARTICLE
Albany to pay $200k to woman raped after police were called to her aid (NY)
ALBANY — The city of Albany will pay $200,000 to settle a federal lawsuit filed by a woman who was raped after three police officers failed to come to her aid when her friend called 911 and warned a dispatcher that she was incapacitated and being held in an apartment...
NEW WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER OFFICIALLY IN USE (IA)
A several years-long dream for the Washington County 911 dispatch staff and other public safety agencies is now a reality as the new Washington County Communications Center is up and running. The dispatch staff officially moved into the new building on Wednesday,...
After nearly 31 years, Marion dispatcher is preparing to hang up her headset for the final time (IA)
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - Communications operators, otherwise known as dispatchers, are the first people on the line when you call 911. After nearly 31 years at the Marion Police Department, one dispatcher is preparing to hang up her headset for the final time. The...
911 Dispatcher helps deliver baby (MS)
DESOTO COUNTY, Miss. — 9-1-1 emergency dispatchers need to be ready for just about anything. That was the case for one dispatcher in North Mississippi. Now, two DeSoto county women are now bonded over a recent call from one panicked husband. “DeSoto County 911, what...
“Snow” Joke: Craig Ending A Public Safety Career That Dates Back 47 Years
Over the years, Whitfield County Emergency Services Director Claude Craig has seen his share of snowstorms, floods, tornadoes, car crashes, chemical spills, fires, and other disasters. He’s made it his life’s mission to help his fellow citizens cope with the aftermath...
911 operators lauded as unsung heroes of 2020 (IN)
INDIANAPOLIS—“911. Where is your emergency?” is the first question someone hears after dialing for emergency help. From there, a telecommunicator, as they are called, will do everything in their power to understand the situation so they can get help to the...
Officials: New facility will improve emergency services coordination in McCormick County (SC)
It will be the heartbeat of emergency services for McCormick County. The new 10,000-square-foot Emergency Management Services headquarters under construction along South Mine Street is a longtime dream coming to fruition, officials said. “It’s very important to have a...
Falls City Council discusses combining dispatching (NE)
Richardson County Commissioner John Caverzagie and Sheriff Rick Hardesty met with the Falls City Council Monday evening to discuss the future of 911 dispatching. Caverzagie said Richardson County has been discussing 911 equipment and needs to know if the city will be...
EXCLUSIVE: ‘The system failed us’ – Family disappointed in EMSA ambulance delay (OK)
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) –The largest ambulance service in the Oklahoma City metro is battling very slow response times. The problem is causing trouble for first responders who are often left waiting for an ambulance to arrive in an emergency. Twenty minutes after...
Emergency responders unable to reach dispatch under new system (MS)
Poplarville police officers and firefighters are having issues reaching 911 dispatchers since the countywide dispatch consolidation went into operation. The consolidation combined the dispatch center for the Sheriff’s Department, which already dispatched for the city...
UPDATE: Phone outages in Cumberland, Franklin, and Perry Counties continue, 9-1-1 affected; Adams Co. experiencing issues (PA)
This outage is affecting 9-1-1 lines and non-emergency lines. Text to 911 is still available in Franklin County. According to Franklin County Commissioners, “should an emergency occur, residents may TEXT to 9-1-1 or CALL fire, rescue and law enforcement departments...
Norfolk launches text-to-911 service, is latest Hampton Roads city to do so (VA)
NORFOLK — People experiencing emergencies in Norfolk can now send texts to 911 if they need help, the city announced Tuesday. While residents are asked to call 911 if they can, they can type “911″ in the “To” field on their cellphones and text emergency information to...
It’s Not Me, It’s the Trauma: A Candid Conversation on the Effects of PTSD on a 911 Professional
Let’s get one thing straight: no one signs up for the 911 profession, and asks for the PTSD that often accompanies it. No job description has ever said “How would you like to serve your community and help others, all while undergoing major personality changes and...
County’s looking into non-payment of 911 surcharge collections (NE)
YORK – York County officials are looking into why the county hasn’t received any money, in the last year, from the 911 surcharges collected by Windstream from users of landline phones. Counties pass resolutions each year allowing for carriers to collect the surcharges...
COVID, COVID AND MORE COVID: E911 looks back on challenges of 2020 (IN)
COLUMBUS, Ind. — The first annual report from a public agency detailing the impact of COVID-19 in the Columbus area in 2020 shows emergency responses were up significantly due to medical emergencies from the virus. The number of calls received by the Bartholomew...
Newsroom: Arlington Ramping Up Vaccine Distribution, Applauds Governor’s Announcement (VA)
Arlington County applauds the decision by Gov. Ralph Northam to make the COVID-19 vaccine available to more Virginians, and County health and government officials are moving quickly to ramp up access for eligible Arlingtonians. "We are thankful that the state is...
Hancock County to begin vaccinating in Phase 1B, dispatchers & First Responders (IL)
The Hancock County Health Department announced they will receive 200 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, Jan. 19, and will start vaccinating those individuals in Phase 1B. This comes after almost all individuals who fall under Phase 1A have been...
WSU to restructure police into Dept. of Public Safety (OH)
AIRBORN — Wright State University will reorganize its police department and complementary services into its Department of Public Safety as part of the university’s overall restructuring plan. The plan is designed to sustainably support university operations at an...
Pennington County 911 receives hundreds of calls a day with many of them accidental (SD)
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - Hearing a noise from your pocket realizing you’ve accidentally called a friend is no big deal many people have done it, but what if instead it’s an emergency dispatcher on the other side? “First thing if you accidentally call 911, don’t hang...
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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