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NSW Telco Authority Launches Ten-Year Future-proof Operational Communications Plan for the Emergency Services
NSW Telco Authority Managing Director Kylie De Courteney said the Operational Communications Strategy 2020 (OCS 2020) is a blueprint for delivering data-enabled services to improve on-the-ground coordination and decision-making during emergencies when every second...
A quiet, steady communications revolution has radically improved response in public safety
In moments of crisis, quick action and modern technology are critical to successfully respond to emergency events. For front-line professionals to be impactful, they need communication systems that function well, enable broader coordination, and are interoperable....
Manipur CM launches emergency support system (India)
IMPHAL: Chief minister N Biren Singh on Saturday launched an emergency response support system at the 1st BN Manipur Rifles complex in Imphal. People can now call on 112 to activate the system when they require emergency assistance from the police, fire service, and...
911 dispatchers help carry the weight of St. Joseph (MO)
About 75 times a day, Rochelle Esparza will answer the phone with the same response, “St. Joseph 911, where’s your emergency?” Esparza has been a St. Joseph 911 dispatcher for 12 years, and each day is completely different than the last. As a dispatcher, Esparza, as...
How NG911 enables citizens to send video, text to 911
Police Executive Research Forum COO Kevin Morison says that NG911 is really about “bringing the country’s 911 system into the 21st century.” Part of that transition involves enabling the 911 system to receive the videos and texts available from the public during a...
Foxborough Fire & Rescue Designated As Class 1 Community (MA)
Foxborough, MA — The Foxborough Fire & Rescue Department is proud to announce our designation as a Class 1 Community by the Insurance Service Office, the highest possible rating for a municipality. The Insurance Service Office, ISO, rates communities and their...
Emergency Communications Officer Demographics
We analyzed 496 emergency communications officer resumes along with a trove of other data to determine the demographics for emergency communications officers. Just to be clear, by demographics we mean the study of population-based factors like age, race and sex. On...
Your Views: Readers talk 911 dispatchers and more (IA)
Thank you to Hanusa, Dawson on 911 bill On behalf of Iowa APCO and Iowa NENA, we want to thank the 88th General Assembly of the Iowa Legislature for passing Senate File 2373. This bill made an important change to Iowa law by defining telecommunicators/911 dispatchers...
Ambulances, Emergency Rooms Pushed To Capacity and 9-1-1 Call Times Increased (CA)
As calls from COVID-19 patients flood L.A. County’s medical system, the area’s ambulances and emergency rooms are being stretched to capacity. Some ambulance drivers report waiting for up to six hours to unload patients at hospitals, and their standard response time...
911 dispatcher asks British Columbians to stop calling to report coronavirus rule-breakers (Canada)
911 dispatchers in British Columbia are asking residents not to call them to report individuals breaking coronavirus lockdown measures, as it ties up resources which could be used for more urgent situations, CTV News reports. "People are calling to report house...
Duspatcher Patrick W. Spivey Passes Away (IL)
Patrick was born on July 10, 1974 in Centerville, IL; the son of the late Carlton and Shirley (Statler) Spivey. Patrick was a proud volunteer fireman and dispatcher for the Madison Fire Department; 911 dispatcher for the city of Madison and also served as a supervisor...
Rawlins Police now certified Priority Dispatch Center (WY)
The Rawlins Police Department will now used a nationally standardized protocol when taking emergency calls. The department recently announced that they are officially a certified Fire and Police Priority Dispatch Center. The Priority Dispatch system is used worldwide...
You can now text 9-1-1 to Bowling Green during an emergency (KY)
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) - On Friday, the city of Bowling Green and the Bowling Green Police Department announced a new way for you to contact 9-1-1, by text message. Our 9-1-1 operators are ready to put this tool to use to help those in need and we just want to make...
Commissioners approve new contract for 9-1-1 system (OH)
NORWALK — The Huron County Commissioners approved a new contract for the 9-1-1 system and funds for public safety employees. During Thursday's commissioner meeting, the board approved CARES Act funding to be used for public safety payroll expenses. The resolution...
Millions in CARES Act funds will help Frisco, McKinney support public safety (TX)
Millions of dollars from the federal government to be distributed by Collin County will help offset public safety expenditures in Frisco and McKinney next year. Both cities are entering interlocal agreements with the county following their respective council meetings...
FBI Warns of DoppelPaymer Attacks on Critical Infrastructure
The FBI is warning businesses of DoppelPaymer ransomware attacks and a change in tactics among operators, who are now cold-calling victims to pressure them into paying the ransom. These attacks have disrupted the provision of healthcare, emergency, and education...
Henrico County has 911 dispatcher shortage: ‘Every center is short’ (VA)
HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Henrico County’s 911 center is in need of dispatchers who play a vital role in the safety of the community. Attracting applicants has become a challenge for many emergency call centers throughout the country, according to Henrico dispatcher Ally...
Mediation between cities, county over alleged breach of contract to begin in January (NC)
ROCKINGHAM — Officials and legal counsel from the county government and the cities of Rockingham and Hamlet will hold the first official meeting of their mediation over the county’s alleged breach of contract in mid-January 2021. The exact date has not yet been...
Columbia County agencies switch to digital public safety communications, some lose signal access (WI)
A recent upgrade to Columbia County public safety communications hardware and software included a switch from analog to more reliable digital signal and may have impacted the public’s ability to listen in on the communications. Chief Deputy Gregory Bisch of the...
Taber/Vauxhall RCMP still dealing with large volume of 9-1-1 hang ups (Canada)
The issue of 9-1-1 hang-ups are continuing to hamper the Taber/Vauxhall RCMP detachment. Last month, the RCMP saw another 48 9-1-1 hang-ups in the Municipal District of Taber which is the third most this year following only June (60) and July (63). As the issue has...
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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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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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