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OWEN SOUND POLICE SERVICE COMPLETES NG911 TESTS (Canada)

The Owen Sound Police Service completed 911 transfer tests this week, finishing a long and difficult process of Next Generation 911 compatibility. Earlier this year, the Service completed its first test call with Bell Canada. In recent months, the Service has...

Addressing 911 outages (MI)

ADRIAN — After two 911 outages this year, the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office is working to try to prevent further problems with its 911 vendor and strengthen its backup plans in case it happens again. At a meeting of the Lenawee County Board of Commissioners...

Augment Your ARES® Mission with FirstNet®

By Randy Richmond, W7HMT
In March 2018, the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network known as First Responder NetworkAuthority, in contract with AT&T, was launched as FirstNet®, the first nationwide 4G LTE communicationsplatform dedicated for public safety’s wireless broadband needs. The 2012 Spectrum Act, which fundedFirstNet, sallows the dedicated band on the 700 MHzspectrum to be shared with second responders(extended primary status), such as people in healthcare, utilities, transportation, and supporting volunteergroups, including the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®). Here’s how ARES members can applyfor a subscription to FirstNet and use this tool for public service applications. READ MORE

Cape County moves closer to 911 texting capability (MO)

Cape Girardeau County has taken another step toward adding texting capability to its 911 emergency system. The County Commission on Thursday approved a resolution to accept a $9,140 grant from the Missouri 911 Service Board. That money will be added to $13,710 already...

The Prescription for Thwarting Cyberattacks

Hackers can wreak havoc on public safety communications networks. Fortunately, there is a lot that agencies can do to increase the difficulty of hacking their networks to lessen, and even prevent, the effects of cyberattacks. While it is next to impossible to prevent...

EOC should stay with sheriff’s office (FL)

The county commissioners are considering managing the 911 Emergency Operations Center operated and managed by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office. No way should the commissioners be involved in the managing and operation of the Operations Center. The Emergency...

SAFETY: CONNECTED FIRST RESPONDERS

Many buildings use video and audio monitoring, transmitting data to monitoring centers, which contact first responders when alarms are triggered. But even in 2020, information about a scene where an alarm was triggered is still often relayed to first responders by...

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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