Top Comm Center Headlines
News & Articles
911 Operator Dies After Chest-Pain Call (CT)
Angela Yoxall-Hurlburt, a 36-year-old New Havener and second-generation 911 call operator and dispatcher, died from an apparent heart attack Monday evening, becoming the second city emergency call center worker to pass away so far this year. Yoxall-Hurlburt had worked...
Veteran Firefighter Pushing ‘Ongoing Education’ on FirstNet
Whether treating a patient with a medical emergency or working to put out a four-alarm residential blaze, clear and reliable communication is essential for firefighters and medics to be able to do their jobs safely and effectively. That's why a veteran firefighter...
Brown County’s new computer dispatch system successfully replaces failed one (WI)
BROWN COUNTY, Wis. (WBAY) - It’s all systems go, much to the relief of Brown County first responders and dispatchers. Nearly two years ago, Action 2 News first told you about major problems when the county tried switching to a new computer dispatch system, causing...
Beloved Chicago 911 dispatcher dies from COVID-19 after serving city for over 30 years (IL)
CHICAGO – A beloved Chicago 911 dispatcher for the final 33 years has handed away from COVID-19. Guadalupe “Lupe” Lopez handed away Monday after contracting COVID-19 a couple of months in the past. OEMC is extremely saddened to verify that one among our 9-1-1...
New Huron County 911 going live in January (OH)
NORWALK — Thanks to a levy that was approved last year, Huron County residents are about to get a new and improved system for 9-1-1 calls. The new 9-1-1 system will be ready early next year, said Tacy Bond, 9-1-1 coordinator at Huron County’s Emergency Management...
THANK YOU FOR BEING FIRST, FIRST-RESPONDERS – Santa Clara County Emergency Medical Services (CA)
Based on a true story. A rookie 911 dispatcher receives a bizarre phone call, plunging him into a horrific waiting game. [VIDEO on YOUTUBE]
WFPD names dispatcher as telecommunicator of the year (TX)
WICHITA FALLS, Texas (TNN) - The Wichita Falls Police Department is congratulating one of their own for some outstanding work this year. They’ve named Steven “PJ” Pickle, one of their dispatchers, as the 2020 telecommunicator of the year. We here at News Channel 6...
Monroe receives state grant to replace public safety radio communications system (CT)
MONROE, CT — Monroe received approval for a $128,205 Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant to replace its public safety radio communications system. First Selectman Ken Kellogg said voters approved over $1 million for this project at a Town Meeting...
Outage Causes OH 9-1-1 Center to Miss Fatal Emergency Call
PARMA, OH—An unexpected outage last week at the Cuyahoga Emergency Communications System (CECOMS) led to a Parma family in desperate need of medical attention calling 9-1-1 without anyone picking up. “On Nov. 5 at 4:10 a.m., CECOMS experienced an...
Jackson County new communications and command trailer ready to help North Alabama
The Jackson County Emergency Management Agency has a new communications and command trailer that can be used in times of crisis to help all of North Alabama. This trailer can communicate with different agencies in times of disaster or at large-scale events. Jackson...
911 operators face untold stress on the job. Sometimes they need help, too (Canada)
They are the calm and steady voice on the end of an emergency call, guiding people through some of the worst moments of their lives. But behind that voice is a pain no one hears. "It's tough on the head … and I don't know of any dispatcher that's not affected," said...
Harrisonburg-Rockingham Emergency Communications Center receives $700k in funding for backup dispatch center (VA)
HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - On Tuesday the Harrisonburg City Council voted to provide $700,000 in funding for the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Emergency Communications Center. The ECC is in need of those funds to start plans for a offsite backup dispatch center. The city...
Wheeling Approves Non-Sworn Police Staff Wage Increases (IL)
Non-sworn Wheeling Police Dept. employee wages were increased by 2.5%, effective last May, and 2.75% effective this May after trustees approved a new collective bargaining agreement Nov. 2. Telecommunications employees, community service officers and records clerks...
CHICAGO’S 9-1-1 CALL CENTER EMPLOYEES RECEIVE TOP HONORS FROM THE ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC COMMUNICATION OFFICIALS (IL-APCO)
The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) proudly announces that Martin Doyle, Deputy Director at OEMC, was named Director of the Year and Susan Dennewitz, Police Communications Officer II of OEMC was named Trainor of the Year by the...
Hamilton County Emergency Communications District Awarded Reaccreditation With Excellence (TN)
The Hamilton County Emergency Communications District has completed its annual assessment and operations review and was awarded ‘Reaccreditation With Excellence’ by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies at the Commission Hearing and Conference. ...
Big Changes Underway At Benton County E911 (MO)
Benton County’s E911 Director, Jessica Mayfield, assumed her new role on October 19, 2020, and began right away putting into action her plans to bring the center up to full staff, modernize equipment and strengthen community relations. Mayfield’s background, training...
New 911 technology uses smartphone’s GPS and camera (GA)
Duluth police are now using a new 911 technology that can help pinpoint the location of an emergency. With the use of the caller’s smartphone, a dispatcher can see everything that’s happening in real-time. Duluth is the first police department in the state to use...
Eagle River Fire, Greater Eagle Fire, and Vail Fire & Emergency Services launch Community Connect (CO)
Eagle River Fire Protection District, Greater Eagle Fire Protection District and Vail Fire & Emergency Services have been working closely with technology partner First Due to release Community Connect, an application focused on protecting residents and their...
Committee explores addressing solutions (ID)
BLACKFOOT – The City of Blackfoot and officials from Bingham County held a joint addressing committee meeting Tuesday to explore and discuss issues created by lackluster addressing in the past. Although no actions were taken, the discussion provided good information...
After the 9-1-1 Call: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the People and Technologies that Help Keep You Safe (WI)
When an emergency strikes and time is of the essence, Waukesha County’s residents and visitors call or text 9-1-1 to connect with the Waukesha County Communications Center (WCC), where more than 40 everyday heroes dispatch first responders and coordinate radio...
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
Subscribe to Comm Center News
Get the latest News, Articles, and Insights from AllThingsECC.com weekly in our newsletter.
PARTNERS
Stay Up to Date With The Latest News & Updates
Share Your Story
Join our community to share your experience and connect and collaborate with colleagues.
Join Our Newsletter
Get the latest News, Articles, and Insights from AllThingsECC.com weekly in our newsletter.
Follow Us
Stay connected with the latestEmergency Communications News, Articles & Information.



