Top Comm Center Headlines
News & Articles
Larimer County implements long-used Loveland automated dispatch system countywide (CO)
The dispatch system used for emergency responders in Loveland for many years has now become the framework for the entire county, which many believe will have a significant impact on response time across the county. Through the countywide Combined Regional Information...
Call for NENA ICE 9 Participants
Call for NENA ICE 9 Participants
53 minutes ago (0 Comments)Posted by: Chris NussmanYou are cordially invited to participate in NENA’s ICE 9 testing event. In light of the ongoing COVID pandemic, ICE 9 will be entirely virtual and will take place Monday through Friday, February 22 through March 5, 2021.
NENA’s Next Generation 9-1-1 Industry Collaboration Event (ICE) series provides the opportunity for 9 1 1 equipment and service providers to come together to test products and services in an open, supportive, and collaborative environment. The next event in the series, ICE 9, will break new ground in that it will be a joint event held in conjunction with the European Emergency Number Association (EENA) and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). ICE 9 will take place concurrently with the NG112 Plugtests #4, hosted by EENA and ETSI. ICE 9/Plugtests #4 will focus on the testing of emergency communications session (ECS) routing across international borders. ECS’s may contain voice, images, video, and/or text. ICE 9 may also separately test the newly-operationalized PSAP Credentialing Agency (PCA), specifically, the security advantages the PCA offers.
NENA and EENA/ETSI invite all interested vendors that have a stake in improving global access to emergency services to participate in ICE 9 and Plugtests #4. NGCS vendors, Forest Guide developers, user agent and mobile app providers, and call handling vendors should consider participating in this event and in the activities of the ICE 9 or Plugtests #4 planning committees, both of which will be convened in the near future.
If you would like to participate in joint intercontinental testing between ICE 9 and the NG112 Plugtests #4, you must register separately with NENA and ETSI as a participant of both events. Please email Delaine Arnold with NENA to register for ICE 9, and visit the NG112 Plugtests #4 registration page to register with ETSI/EENA.
If you would like to only conduct intracontinental testing within the U.S. at ICE 9, and elect to not participate in collaborative intercontinental testing, you may register directly with NENA. Please email Delaine Arnold with NENA. Note that the primary focus of this event is collaborative intercontinental testing, so ICE 9-only test scenarios remain yet to be defined by the ICE 9 Planning Committee.
Likewise, if you would like to only conduct intracontinental testing within Europe as part of the NG112 Plugtests #4, and elect to not participate in collaborative intercontinental testing, you may register directly with ETSI. Please visit the NG112 Plugtests #4 registration page to register.
NENA, EENA, and ETSI will hold an open conference call for participants who have registered (or are considering registering) for one or both of these events. The purpose of the call will be to provide updated information as well as answer any questions regarding logistics, content of the testing, which functional elements you may want to contribute to the event for testing, etc. The call will be held at 10AM Eastern / 4PM Central European Summer Time on Thursday, October 22, 2020. Interested parties may connect into the event (by phone or computer) as follows:
ICE 9/NG112 Emergency Communications Plugtests #4 Information CallThu, Oct 22, 2020 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EDT / 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM CESTJoin the meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone here.You can also dial in using your phone.(For supported devices, tap a one-touch number below to join instantly.)Access Code: 182-773-213United States: +1 (646) 749-3129One-touch: tel:+16467493129,,182773213#(More international phone numbers are available on the ‘Information call’ tab of the Plugtests #4 webpage.)
For the latest information on ICE 9, please visit the NENA ICE 9 webpage.
For the latest information on NG112 Plugtests #4, please visit the ETSI NG112 Plugtests #4 webpage.
First responders urgently push for PTSD coverage at Ohio state capitol (OH)
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - First responders are sounding the alarm at the state capitol, pushing for post-traumatic stress disorder coverage with just a few months left in the year. That urgency is increasing after some recent police officer suicides and as mental...
9-1-1 Disruptions Impact Cell Calls to Emergency Services (DE)
SUSSEX COUNTY, Del.- The potentially scary sound coming from your phone alerting of an emergency can be jarring, but it can cause even more uneasy feelings when it's telling you 9-1-1 emergency service lines are not working properly. The Department of Safety and...
City renegotiates deal for backup fire dispatchers; mulls hiring more of its own (WA)
The city of Spokane extended its agreement on Monday to utilize a county-led emergency dispatch agency for backup when it is short on its own fire dispatchers. The revised agreement was signed as the City Council considers a bud...
Weld County Regional Communications Center Earns Top Honor (CO)
The Weld County Regional Communications Center has been recognized as the nation’s best public safety answering point by NICE Public Saftey for their accomplishments, skills, and dedication to public safety. The 2020 PSAP’S Finest Award is the second consecutive...
County awarded $250000 CDBG grant to replace failing emergency communications system (TN)
The problems plaguing Hawkins County’s failing emergency communications system may be nearing an end, as the County Commission ‘okayed’ a budget amendment at their September meeting that allots money for the $425,000 analogue replacement system. In addition, the...
Carteret County plans 911 dispatch center renovations (NC)
MOREHEAD CITY — Carteret County has plans to renovate the 911 emergency communications center located within the Morehead City Police Department, the first major update planned for the dispatch center since it was established more than a decade ago. The County...
Motorola Solutions introduces ‘Citizen Input’ service for 9-1-1 calls
Motorola Solutions recently announced a new service aimed at helping first responders better engage with citizens in their time of need. CommandCentral Citizen Input allows citizens calling or texting 9-1-1 to send video, photographs and recordings of an incident to...
Ballot Measure Promises Financial Stability, Streamlined Operations for County 911 Center (MT)
The center’s 911 director and other advocates say a new tax on homeowners in Flathead County is essential to sustain operations at the Flathead Emergency Communications Center and support effective radio communication systems for first responders, a similar plea to...
Councilors approve $3.6 million public safety radio system (MA)
Residents were invited to participate in the meeting, but none spoke. QUINCY — Police Chief Paul Keenan and Fire Chief Joe Jackson say the $3.6 million upgrade to the city’s emergency communications system approved by councilors Monday is “vital” for the function of...
Wayne County switches to new integrated 911 dispatch system (IN)
RICHMOND, Ind. — Activity Friday afternoon inside Wayne County's Emergency Communications Center seemed completely normal as dispatchers answered calls. The last time Friday's day crew worked, however, was anything but normal. At 9:04 a.m. Tuesday, a new...
Public Safety Communications Legislation Blocked in the US Senate
Today the U.S. Senate failed to pass H.R. 451, the Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act. This legislation would prevent the auction of public safety spectrum in the T-Band (470 MHz - 512 MHz). It also would prevent states from diverting 9-1-1 fees to other purposes. Section...
FirstNet expands responder communications in Sawyer area (ND)
SAWYER – First responders in Sawyer are getting a major boost in their wireless communications with the addition of a new FirstNet cell site, according to AT&T. This new infrastructure is a part of the FirstNet Network expansion taking place across the state,...
Can’t call? Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office announces start of Text-to-9-1-1 (AZ)
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office and its law enforcement partners throughout the county have announced that a “Text-to-9-1-1” service is now available countywide. Partnering agencies include police departments in Clarkdale, Jerome, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino...
Dispatch center shows off makeover; new radios are coming (TX)
The City of Brownwood’s 9-1-1 dispatch center has received a makeover. While the makeover so far has consisted of morale-boosting aesthetics — in the form of new carpet and new, modern consoles at the dispatchers’ work stations — new radios that will be installed next...
The FirstNet Network Expands Across Georgia to Advance Public Safety Communications Capabilities
Georgia’s first responders are getting a major boost in their wireless communications with the addition of new, purpose-built FirstNet(link is external) cell sites supporting 11 counties across the state. Plus, high-quality Band 14 spectrum has been added to more than...
Text-to-9-1-1 now available in Placer County (CA)
Sending a text to 911 is now available in Placer County. Text-to-9-1-1 is available to Placer residents and individuals traveling through the county. According to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, the text function provides a life-saving option to speech- and...
County Commission focuses on purchases and grant applications during regular action session Thursday (KS)
Lyon County Commissioners approved a number of purchase requests during their regular action session Thursday morning. First on the agenda was a request from Lyon County Emergency Communications Center Director Roxanne Van Gundy to consider the payment of the county's...
Dupo, Ill. couple called 911 four times as shirtless man ransacked their garage. Officers never arrived (IL)
Imagine calling 911 and no one ever shows up. It happened to a local couple when a weapon-wielding stranger ransacked their garage and wandered around their yard for hours. They called 911 four times, but no officer ever arrived. Rose and Joe Everett's peaceful place...
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.



