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Nationwide debate emerges on how to secure communication networks in wake of Nashville bombing (TN)
Four days after the bombing on Christmas Day in downtown Nashville crippled cell service, internet and even key tools for law enforcement across a multi-state region, White County, Tennessee residents still struggled to get through to the...
AT&T provides initial insights about FirstNet performance, recovery efforts after Nashville explosion
Some FirstNet subscribers experienced service outages after the massive Dec. 25 explosion at AT&T’s Nashville network hub, but backup battery power at the facility and the use of deployable cell sites meant that many FirstNet users were able to communicate “within...
Atlanta’s ‘Overlooked’ 9-1-1 Dispatchers Could Get Pay Hike (GA)
Over two years ago, when Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced a 30% pay raise for the city's police officers, it was heralded as a big win for department morale, recruitment and retention. Not included in that group of employees who got the...
Butler County Sheriff’s Office investigating after communications system hacked (OH)
BUTLER COUNTY, Ohio — The Butler County Sheriff's Office said it's investigating after its communications center systems were hacked. Sheriff Richard Jones said once they found the malware activity in the system, they started to investigate and restore operations and...
Every connectivity lesson shapes a life in public safety
Technology is a vital aspect of public safety worldwide, and this trend is only likely to grow substantially in the foreseeable future. For new devices to work effectively, full-scale coverage must be in place, and when it comes to people’s safety, there is no room...
Dispatch agreement set to expire as Butte County, Belle Fourche spar over terms (SD)
BELLE FOURCHE –– Although the Butte County Commission approved an updated three-year dispatch contract with Belle Fourche during its Dec. 15 meeting, the Belle Fourche City Council has yet to come to an agreement as the current contract expires Thursday. The city of...
Shawnee Communications Center Earns State Recognition (OK)
This year, during a world-wide pandemic, Shawnee Communications Center processed thousands of calls for emergency assistance. Some of these calls for help were familiar, while others were new in nature and the way in which they were processed to maintain the safety of...
JPD: Expect longer wait times for 911 calls (MS)
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Officials with the Jackson Police Department (JPD) say new software could increase wait times for individuals calling 911. JPD is integrating “New World Tyler Public Safety Solutions” software in its emergency dispatch department. The system...
Local dispatchers reflect on quick actions to resolve 911 issues on Christmas (KY)
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) -Following the explosion in Downtown Nashville on Christmas morning, some AT&T users in the South Central Kentucky area began experiencing service problems. This included 911 operators at the Bowling Green Police Department. Three...
Graham emergency communications moving to Burlington (NC)
The emergency dispatch service for the Graham police and fire departments on New Year's Eve is moving to Burlington. Alamance County has two centers that dispatch responders when someone calls 911. Burlington has an emergency communications center at the...
Our View: Thank you, Sheriff Jeff Danker, for all of your hard work and dedication (IA)
For more than 40 years, Jeff Danker has worked to protect people. For the last 28 years, he has done much as the sheriff of Pottawattamie County. During that time, he and his staff have worked diligently to make sure the county stayed current with the technological...
Shawnee Communications Center Earns State Recognition (OK)
This year, during a world-wide pandemic, Shawnee Communications Center processed thousands of calls for emergency assistance. Some of these calls for help were familiar, while others were new in nature and the way in which they were processed to maintain the safety of...
City of Ferris Shifts 911 Dispatch to County After Dispatchers Diagnosed With COVID-19 (TX)
The City of Ferris has shifted their 911 dispatch service to Ellis County after three of their four dispatchers have been diagnosed with COVID-19. One of those to become ill, Mike Atwell, died earlier this month. “In a small community like this it impacts everybody...
County formalizes taxing district for 911 center (MT)
The Flathead County commissioners passed a resolution recently establishing a special taxing district for the Flathead Emergency Communications Center, meeting the requirements of a ballot measure voters passed in November to increase funding for 911 services and...
Greenville County Council considers joint dispatch center between Sheriff’s Office, EMS (SC)
Men and women inside the Greenville County Sheriff's Office communications center field more than 500,000 emergency calls per year. Helping people respond to crises and dispatching deputies to the scenes have been at the core of the responsibilities of about...
Delco 911 System Gets $1.5 Million Funding Boost For Improvements (PA)
DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Emergency responders in Delaware County will soon be better equipped to serve residents in need. Officials recently announced the county's 911 system was awarded a grant that will help improve emergency services. In total, $1.5 million was...
Bonham’s Tim La Vergne II named 2020 Telecommunications Officer of the Year in Lamar County (TX)
Bonham, Texas -- Bonham resident Tim La Vergne II was recently selected by his peers as the 2020 Telecommunications Officer of the Year in Lamar County. "I’m truly humbled that I was even considered for this award," Mr. La Vergne stated. "I really love what...
In challenging year, working with public safety to move FirstNet forward
It has been a challenging year for the nation, especially for the first responders who are on the front lines of wildfires, hurricanes, and the COVID-19 pandemic. During this historic year, the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) remained committed...
PSSA asks FCC to reconsider 4.9 GHz order, protect public-safety use of spectrum
The Public Safety Spectrum Alliance (PSSA) today filed petitions asking the FCC to reconsider an order passed this fall that would let states lease 4.9 GHz airwaves—dedicated to public safety for more than 15 years—potentially setting the stage for spectrum to be in...
Pickaway County Now Has Text 9-1-1 Service (OH)
Pickaway becomes one of Ohio’s first 25 counties to offer Text-To 911 beginning December 28, 2020. Pickaway County is now offering Text-To-9-1-1 for residents to report emergencies for those who cannot safely call 9-1-1 in a dangerous situation, or for those who are...
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.
REGISTER
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