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Plummeting revenues threaten planned public safety building (CA)
With the local economy shaken and city revenues on a steep decline, Palo Alto is preparing to reconsider its most ambitious infrastructure project: the new public safety building that is slated to go up in the California Avenue business district. The city has recently...
911 dispatchers receive over 500 calls on Saturday after Harrisonburg explosion (VA)
HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - Local 911 dispatchers said they felt the Harrisonburg explosion at the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Emergency Communications Center on Saturday and within seconds, got a call volume like no other. On Saturday between 8:20 a.m. and 3 p.m., HRECC...
KSP Post 3 welcomes new Telecommunicator (KY)
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Twelve Kentucky State Police telecommunicators from throughout the Commonwealth were recognized at graduation ceremonies for the sixteenth class of the agency’s in-house Telecommunications Academy. The Post 3 graduate of the 16th KSP...
Serious issues persist at Tucson’s 911 call center (AZ)
TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - A just released report (which you can find here) paints a dysfunctional operation at the Public Safety Communications Department in Tucson. The PSCD dispatches 911 calls for both police and fire departments. The Tucson City Manager,...
KSP gets 12 new ‘voices of calm’ for in the midst of the storm (KY)
CAMPBELLSBURG, Ky. (WTVQ) – Twelve Kentucky State Police telecommunicators from throughout the Commonwealth were recognized at graduation ceremonies for the 16th class of the agency’s in-house Telecommunications Academy. KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer told the...
Tuscaloosa County Emergency Operations Center now has ‘Text-to-911’ service (AL)
Public safety in Tuscaloosa County has been upgraded with a new way to contact 911. Like many 911 centers across the nation, agencies part of the Tuscaloosa County Emergency Operations Center can now accept inbound messages and send outbound messages via text,...
Pontiac Telecommunicator honored by Illinois State Police (IL)
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police have announced their choice for Telecommunicator of the Year. Telecommunicator Specialist Roberta Clutz Telecommunicator Roberta Clutz has served the Illinois State Police for more than 16 years as a Telecommunicator Specialist....
Advanced Communications: Lyon County’s emergency radio system upgrade now complete (KS)
Roxanne Van Gundy and other members of the 911 Radio Project Committee knew the Lyon County Emergency Communications Center was due for an upgrade. While the county still operated with an analog radio system that was all but obsolete, more than 70 percent of the...
Survival Flight Rejoices in Dispatcher Recovery (MO)
Shelby County 911 Dispatcher Chris Rich was recognized by Survival Flight on Friday, Oct. 9 for her dedication to the community at 911. On Aug. 24, Rich was getting ready to work a shift at the Shelby County dispatch center when she experienced a...
Nevada Department of Public Safety appoints first woman to NHP colonel command (NV)
CARSON CITY — Nevada Department of Public Safety Director George Togliatti has appointed Anne Carpenter as Colonel of the Nevada DPS, Highway Patrol Division. Colonel Carpenter officially takes command of the Nevada Highway Patrol on Monday, October 19, 2020. She will...
‘9-1-1, what is your emergency?’ (OH)
It was almost 21 years ago, February of 2000, I was honored by Mayor David Raizk, when he asked me if I would assume the role of Director of Public Safety for the City of Wilmington. The city safety director is responsible for administrating all safety services within...
Supporting Communities in Need and Increasing Officer Safety with FirstNet
By Harry Markley, Senior Law Enforcement Advisor, First Responder Network Authority
Protect and serve, that is the motto of many law enforcement agencies across the nation. Every day, officers and deputies work in our communities handling incidents ranging from traffic violations to someone’s worst day. Each day is a new day with new challenges, but the “protect and serve” motto never changes.
Technology has evolved significantly, providing a cache of new tools for first responders in the field. Law enforcement agencies across the country are turning to technology for innovative ways to protect and serve their communities. With FirstNet – the only nationwide broadband network built for public safety – officers have secure, reliable access to apps and devices that help them in their everyday duties. Discover how two agencies are using technology to provide care to their communities and how FirstNet can support these advanced capabilities. READ MORE
Texting 9-1-1 is Now Available in Humboldt County (CA)
The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office announced today that texting 9-1-1 for emergencies is now available in unincorporated areas of Humboldt County, the city of Fortuna, Arcata, Humboldt State University and California Highway Patrol (other local cities will be...
Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office moves into new building (VA)
SHENANDOAH COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - After more than three years of work, the Shenandoah County Sheriff Office has officially moved into the department’s new building. Sheriff Timothy Carter said for more than 50 years, the sheriff’s office has served the community from...
Local public safety agencies launch Vitals program (CA)
Personnel at the Winters Police and Fire Departments are now using the Vitals app as a tool and resource to better communicate and respond to people who are non-verbal are are unable to communicate well with first responders and emergency personnel. Vitals serves as a...
Lincoln police dispatcher faces federal child porn charges (MA)
BOSTON — A Massachusetts police dispatcher was arrested this week on federal child pornography offenses, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Spencer Hughes, 38, of Randolph, was charged with receiving and possessing pornographic images and videos of a person...
Town Meeting to decide on new public safety facility (MA)
IPSWICH — A plan to build a new public safety facility is one of the many issues at stake at a Special Town Meeting scheduled for Saturday. Voters will decide if the town should spend $630,000 to buy land to serve as the site of the proposed building, and also whether...
911 award (MS)
It is the calm voice on a caller's worst day. The job of 911 dispatcher - or as they are known - telecommunicator - can be chaotic and stressful. But it is appreciated. This morning a member of the oktibbeha county emergency management team was honored as...
Struggling with turnover, Rock County may add dispatcher pay raise to budget (WI)
Most kids don’t grow up wanting to be 911 dispatchers. Rather, their imaginations often fixate on being firefighters or police officers. Kathy Sukus knows that. But she wants to change the perception of dispatchers, who she says play a crucial role in public safety....
Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office moves into new building (VA)
SHENANDOAH COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - After more than three years of work, the Shenandoah County Sheriff Office has officially moved into the department’s new building. Sheriff Timothy Carter said for more than 50 years, the sheriff’s office has served the community from...
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.
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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.
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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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