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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....
Berkeley County prepares to expand 911 services with approval of multiple new positions (WV)
MARTINSBURG — The first steps toward big change for the Berkeley County 911 Dispatch Center were made Thursday morning with the approval of multiple new positions to streamline emergency response services and better utilize the skills of staff. Jen Swisher, the...
Emergency Repairs Needed for Elevator in Kendall County Public Safety Center: Cost $33114 (WI)
Smoke was coming from the public elevator in the Kendall County Public Safety Center over the weekend, prompting the shutdown of the elevator and the need for emergency repairs. Those elevator repairs were discussed at the Kendall County Board's Committee of the Whole...
Warren County to spend $1.8 million on emergency equipment
Warren County plans to spend approximately $1.8 million to upgrade outdated communication equipment used for emergency response. Warren County Fire Marshal Gerry Maiatico and Motorola representatives presented information to the Board of Supervisors about the upgrades...
County formalizes taxing district for 911 center (MT)
The Flathead County commissioners passed a resolution Monday 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...
Lincoln County asks for dispatch upgrade in case COVID-19 strikes rural 911 call center (SD)
Lincoln County Sheriff Steve Swenson is preparing for the worst. Or the inevitable. Should COVID-19 strike his county's small dispatch center, "it could shut it down," Swenson told Lincoln County commissioners Tuesday morning. He's hoping to prevent that...
Morris County Approves $26 Million Emergency Communications Upgrade (NJ)
The Morris County Board of Freeholders approved a $26 million contract last night to upgrade and double the operating capacity of the emergency radio network and infrastructure relied upon daily by Morris County law enforcement, emergency management, and municipal...
Cleveland Police Dispatcher Fired, Accused Of Calling County Jail Inmates While On-Duty, ‘Gross Neglect Of Duty’ (OH)
CLEVELAND, Ohio — A Cleveland police dispatcher was fired Friday after investigators learned he spoke with Cuyahoga County Jail inmates while one the clock and repeatedly disrespected his boss. Cleveland Safety director Karrie Howard fired Charles McGeever after a...
FirstNet Authority board approves additional investments into 5G network core
FirstNet board members this week unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the FirstNet Authority staff to obligate reinvestment funds from AT&T to pay operations and maintenance costs associated with upgrading the FirstNet core to 5G during 2021 and in future...
Polk County joins Joint Communications Center (NE)
Difficulty filling dispatch positions has led the Polk County Sheriff's Office to join the Platte County Joint Communications Center in Columbus through a new interlocal agreement. Polk County Sheriff Dwaine Ladwig said he has advertised for the dispatcher job, but...
Norwood to hand off emergency communications duties to Hamilton County (OH)
NORWOOD, Ohio — Norwood City Council held a special meeting Monday night to discuss the future of the city’s emergency communications, as it has been decided to be transferred to Hamilton County. Currently, Norwood’s communications system handles fire, police and...
Commissioners Approve $2.4M Tower Agreement (IN)
Kosciusko County commissioners on Tuesday approved the communications service agreement between J&K Communications Inc. and the county for $2.4 million. Terry Burnworth, with Pyramid Consulting, who has been working with the county on its communications project...
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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