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In CAHOOTS in Oregon; Organization works with Law Enforcement and Dispatch (OR)
Ebony Morgan drives her van through the streets of Eugene, Ore., until she reaches a man curled up on the sidewalk under the eaves of a building. As a crisis worker for the nonprofit CAHOOTS, she was alerted by an emergency dispatcher that the man needed a welfare...
911 dispatchers warn accidental hang-ups could be a public safety issue (IN)
VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI)- When you're in an emergency, 911 is the first number you dial and in moments... they're there. However, sometimes we dial it by accident and dispatchers say it could do more harm than good. 911 dispatcher, Kirsten Chovanov-Redman tells us,...
‘I made a mistake’ says former Sturgis public safety chief accused of drunken driving (MI)
STURGIS, MI — Former Sturgis public safety chief Geoffrey Smith is still awaiting arraignment in an alleged drunken driving case that led to the resignation of the longtime officer. Moments after the Aug. 15 crash, as depicted in body cam video obtained by MLive,...
Luke Wilson to Host ABC Unscripted Series ‘Emergency Call’ About 9-1-1 Operators (Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJKHNzbUc9k#action=share Luke Wilson is set to host and executive produce a new unscripted series about 9-1-1 operators at ABC, the network announced Thursday. Titled “Emergency Call,” the hour-long documentary series will follow “the...
Woodland mayor objects to $2.21M for Yolo Dispatch (CA)
Saying that it’s costing the city $6,000 a day or $250 an hour, Woodland Mayor Rich Lansburgh has called for a review of a $2.215 million contract with the Yolo Emergency Communications Agency. The service pays for dispatchers who “dispatch” firefighters and police as...
Don’t count on it: Lexington behind on census numbers, may impact public safety and emergency preparedness (NC)
The City of Lexington began rolling out its “My City, I Count” awareness campaign in 2019 to prepare residents for this years' census, which is held nationally every 10 years. Greene said there has been a big push to get everyone in the city to participate to get an...
Dispatch center seeks to update business directory (GA)
McDONOUGH COUNTY — The Macomb/McDonough County Communications Center has begun the updating process for an after-hours emergency database of McDonough County businesses. In a press release, 911 Director Eric Lenardt said that the dispatch center worked with the Macomb...
EMPLOYEES DEVELOP UNIQUE WORKPLACE
Emergency responders learned to master indispensable HAZMAT (hazardous materials) skills during a recent on-site training course, the first of its kind at Tobyhanna Army Depot. Instructors leveraged classroom sessions and practical scenarios to help dozens of...
Metropolitan Emergency Communications Association to get new dispatch system (AR)
Members of the MECA (Metropolitan Emergency Communications Association) board voted Thursday to purchase a new computer aided dispatch system to replace the system which was last upgraded in 2007. The board is made up of the Jefferson County Judge and Sheriff, the...
Police Executive Research Forum: How changes to 9-1-1 call-taking and dispatching can improve police responses
Key Takeaways-- Public safety agencies are examining how changes to 9-1-1 call-taking and dispatching can improve police responses and help accomplish the goals of police reform.-- Innovations include:Incorporating mental health clinicians into 9-1-1 centers, where...
Next Generation 9-1-1 Innovator Welcomes Sharon Counterman as Senior Project Manager
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- NGA 911, LLC, a leading provider of Next Generation 9-1-1 solutions, today announced that former public safety consultant, Sharon Counterman, joined the company as Senior Project Manager. Ms. Counterman comes to the NGA 911...
Coordinating Emergency Communications
One of the many lessons learned from the Smart Cities movement is that you can achieve significant improvement in community safety and resilience when you use network technologies to facilitate communications and data sharing. Information gets to responders more...
Introducing Eric Harne
Editor’s Note: Eric Harne’s column describing Communications Mapping (posted on the Journal website) drew such a large readership that we decided to ask him a few questions about his system. He graciously accepted. His Angry Customer Protocol (ACP) (July/August 2020 Journal) is available in the July/August 2020 issue of the Journal.
Maygra: An open letter to Columbia 9-1-1 district leadership (OR)
Dear Mr. Michael Fletcher, director of Columbia 9-1-1: As a taxpayer in the Columbia 9-1-1 Communication District, I feel compelled to address some concerns I have about some actions being taken at 9-1-1. The issue I am referring to is regarding the committee you have...
Prince George sees another record month of 9-1-1 overdose calls (British Columbia)
Prince George has seen another month with well over 100 overdose calls – a city that normally averages 52 calls per month. In August, paramedics responded to 129 overdose calls in the northern capital, which is one more than July’s 128 calls to BC Emergency Health...
State trooper, dispatcher honored for heroism in saving 17-year-old girl (IN)
RIPLEY COUNTY, In. (FOX19) - An Indiana state trooper and a dispatcher are being hailed as heroes after helping save a woman from a burning car. Sgt. Jared Black works out of the ISP post in Versailles, In. According to Black, a 17-year-old girl called 911 in late...
PSHSB Seeks Comment on Emergency Access to Wi-Fi Access Points
The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC or Commission) Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB or Bureau) seeks comment on the feasibility of allowing emergency access to providers’ Wi-Fi access points, as directed by the RAY BAUM’s Act of 2018. The RAY...
DC 911 head responds to claim of spike in dispatches to wrong, nonexistent addresses (DC)
The head of the District of Columbia’s emergency call center tells WTOP “there is not a systematic problem with DC 911,” in response to allegations that fire and EMS crews have been sent to wrong addresses more times this year than the last five years combined. Safety...
Funding Approved for Scotts Bluff Co. to Add VIPER 9-1-1 Backup System (NE)
The Nebraska Public Service Commission has approved funding that will pay for equipment and the first year of service and maintenance for a 9-1-1 backup system for Scotts Bluff County. The PSC on Tuesday approved the county’s request to use approximately $112,500 in...
Six emerging and future public safety technologies
The landscape for public safety technology is changing almost every day, both in terms of major regulatory changes and technology advances that impact public safety, and in new product announcements. So where is it all headed? Here are three new and three emerging...
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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