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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...
Text-to-911 comes to Pinal County (AZ)
As of today, text-to-9-1-1 is available to all residents of Pinal County. This allows people in need of emergency services to reach first responders via text when voice calling is not an option, according to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office. The primary use of...
Put Aside Caller’s Anger
Eric Harne
Dealing with irritated, angry people is periodically part of the emergency dispatcher’s job description. This can be particularly troublesome when dealing with life-or-death situations and the person on the other end of the phone is belligerent and angry. Since it’s an issue that won’t go away, it becomes a matter of defusing the anger and resolving the caller’s problem without resorting to anger and creating a more significant problem.
DHS funds risk assessment modeling tool development
The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program has awarded $1.96 million to a pair of businesses to aid emergency communication network risk management assessments. Orem, Utah-based Achilles Heel Technologies and...
Motorola Solutions’ CommandCentral Citizen Input Is Available to the US Public Safety Market
Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) today announced that it has made a new service available to the public safety market -- CommandCentral Citizen Input -- which is designed to help 9-1-1 call takers to better engage with citizens in their time of need. Citizen Input is a...
Building meaningful public safety partnerships—one engagement at a time
By David Buchanan, Executive Director of Public Safety Advocacy, FirstNet Authority
Last year saw the release of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) Roadmap, the launch of network investment planning, and significant buildout of the network. It also saw a renewed commitment from our FirstNet Authority team of expert public safety advisors to engage with public safety and improve, expand, and bring innovation to FirstNet.
Through targeted engagements, our team has been working to better understand public safety’s technical and operational broadband needs and how FirstNet is impacting public safety operations today. Since January, our team has taken part in more than 900 in-person and virtual engagements, meeting with nearly 21,000 public safety stakeholders from across the country. Whether engaging in person or virtually, we have received recommendations and ideas to positively influence the FirstNet network’s path forward. READ MORE
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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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