Top Comm Center Headlines
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FirstNet: Mobile Broadband Network for First Responders Expands Across Pennsylvania’s Northern Tier, and Clearfield County, Advances Public Safety Communications Capabilities
irst responders across Pennsylvania’s Northern Tier and in Clearfield County are getting a major boost in their wireless communications with the addition of new, purpose-built FirstNet(link is external) cell sites in the region. This new infrastructure...
Morris County Approves $26M Comm. Upgrade For First Responders (NJ)
MORRIS COUNTY, NJ - A $26 million dollar communications upgrade that will double the operating capacity of the emergency radio network and infrastructure relied upon daily by Morris County law enforcement, emergency management, and municipal first responders is coming...
Missouri mother, 40, died as 911 dispatcher didn’t believe young son when he called for help, lawsuit claims
A mother from Missouri allegedly died last year because 911 dispatchers did not believe her young son when he called begging for assistance, according to a new lawsuit. The mother, identified as 40-year-old Cathryn McClelland, died in Kansas City on July 22,...
Fake 9-1-1 Call Used Again in Ploy to Rob NYC Medics
Two FDNY emergency medical technicians were robbed at gunpoint after racing to a bogus medical emergency in a Brooklyn public housing building early Saturday. The 2:40 a.m. heist was the second time in a week that EMTs have been held up...
FirstNet Network expands across West Virginia to advance public safety communications
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia’s first responders are getting a major boost in their wireless communications with the addition of new, purpose-built FirstNet cell sites and other network enhancements. According to a press release, this new infrastructure is a part...
Dispatch Center Now Offering Text To 911 Service (CA)
The Alameda County Regional Emergency Communications Center as of Monday has joined many other agencies in the region in offering the option of sending text messages to 911. The communications center, a division of the Alameda County Fire Department, is giving the...
Texts to 911 can bring aid silently, though Denton’s service is not used often (TX)
Although it hasn’t been widely utilized, data shows most of the 911 texts that are routed to the city of Denton’s dispatch system are related to welfare concerns and domestic disturbances. If you have a cellphone and you’re within the Denton County limits, you can...
City, police officials unveil Detroit mental health initiative (MI)
Detroit — Some city police officers responding to runs that may involve the mentally ill soon will be accompanied by behavioral health specialists, as part of an initiative rolled out Monday which aims to address what Detroit's top cop describes as one of...
The weight of a thank you
I received an unexpected thank you from a mentee a few weeks ago – a thoughtful gift and card thanking me for my efforts as her EMT preceptor. That same week and for several weeks prior, I had been feeling burnt out and exhausted from doing too much. I felt...
CHECK IT OUT: Get a sneak peek at Medford’s new police station (MA)
Medford’s new state-of-the-art police station is finally open. Though the ribbon cutting originally scheduled for Dec. 8 had to be cancelled due to surging coronavirus case numbers, Medford police officers and city emergency dispatchers have already moved into their...
Whatcom seeks better, cheaper answer for the 138574 calls to 911 each year (WA)
Combining Whatcom County’s two 911 dispatch centers, whose operators separately send law-enforcement officers or firefighters to calls for service, is back on the County Council’s agenda. It’s both logical and a cost-saving measure to combine the two 911 centers, said...
LCECC Director discusses benefits of SNAP and Protecting PAUL programs for citizens and dispatchers alike (KS)
The Lyon County Emergency Communications Center is encouraging citizens to look into two unique programs aimed at assisting special needs individuals in times of crisis. LCECC Director Roxanne Van Gundy joined KVOE's Morning Show Friday to discuss the county's Special...
CVPSA board hears competing views on communications study (VT)
MONTPELIER — The Central Vermont Public Safety Authority is on the cusp of commissioning a telecommunications needs assessment its board views as a foundational step in improving emergency communications in the region. The process has taken more than a year, required...
NG911 Institute: CAll for Nominations!
The NG911 Institute hosts the Annual 911 Honor Awards Reception to honor the heroes and leaders of the 911 community. The Co-Chairs of the Congressional NextGen 911 Caucus and other Members of Congress and federal government leaders are invited to attend and to...
911 Dispatcher Stacy Shotwell discusses what it take to be a new dispatcher [PODCAST]
Stacy Shotwell has lived in the Nashville area since 1998. She is currently in training for 911 Dispatcher at her local police department. Previously, she was an Operations Manager for 15 years at a non profit organization, Marriage Dynamics Institute. Stacy offers...
San Antonio using telemedicine on 911, saving resources, taxpayer money (TX)
DALLAS — Councilmembers in San Antonio approved a program Thursday that sends some 911 callers to telemedicine when they request help. It’s a service that no other city in the country has authorized. The San Antonio Fire Department “is beginning to route dispatch...
Mendocino County residents can now send 911 emergency text messages (CA)
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office would like to announce that people in Mendocino County now have the ability to text their emergencies to 9-1-1 using a cellular phone. Text to 9-1-1 is designed for hearing or speech impaired members of the community, those in a...
After more than three decades, Pittsylvania County dispatcher signs off (PA)
After 34 years of serving Pittsylvania County as a dispatcher, Joann Luck has signed off for the last time. Now after working her final day on Dec. 2, she's answering the call of retirement. Born and raised in Pittsylvania County, Luck graduated from Gretna High...
FEMA Partnership Gives IPAWS Emergency Alerts Big Visibility
Rapidly alerting the public to what is about to occur is a key mitigation and readiness strategy of FEMA. It is one of the methods the agency has used since its inception through various radio systems since the days the nation advanced its Civil Defense posture during...
Minot Central Dispatch upgrading medical response technology in 2021 (ND)
In a matter of seconds, emergency situations can escalate without warning. A new update to the technology used by 911 dispatchers in Minot.. will help identify these situtations more quickly and with less chance for error. After receiving a $5,000 grant from the St....
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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