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County commission keeps the same tax rate (GA)

The Glynn County Commission voted Thursday to keep the same tax rate for the next year. Tamara Munson, interim chief financial officer, said the county gets 75 percent of its $110 million budget from taxes. The rest comes from fines, fees, grants and investments,...

CAN’T TALK IN AN EMERGENCY? NOW YOU CAN TEXT 9-1-1 (MD)

Beginning today, Marylanders have the option of texting 9-1-1 for help if they cannot call the number. In an emergency, it is not always possible to speak out loud so the Maryland assembly adopted a way to enable those with a cell phone to text in their emergency....

Murrieta implements emergency medical dispatch system (CA)

MURRIETA – A new medical protocol system has been implemented by the Murrieta police and fire communications center that will enable dispatchers to accurately assess each emergency medical situation and send the best possible response. The medical priority dispatch...

Saratoga County Debuts New Public Safety Facility (NY)

Saratoga County has opened its new public safety headquarters in Ballston Spa.  The Paul E. Lent Public Safety Facility on County Farm Road houses five different departments: the Sheriff’s office, Probation Department, Public Health Department, and Emergency and...

Building Public Safety’s Network

By Tip Osterthaler, FirstNet Authority Board Chair
I am honored to have been appointed chair of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) Board. As I take the helm of the Board today, I am eager to continue to drive progress for all of public safety.
I first became involved with the FirstNet Authority in 2018, joining the Board just one year after the public-private partnership with AT&T was formed. Since then, I have had the opportunity to watch the network come to life with extensive buildout and widespread adoption among public safety. As the Finance Committee Chair, I was involved in shaping some of our most important activities of the last two years – including disciplined budgets that fund our organization and guide the future of the network. The Committee also had a key role in developing the FirstNet Authority Roadmap and the first set of network investments. READ MORE

Several police departments experienced phone issues (MA)

Some police departments in Massachusetts were experiencing issues with their phone lines Wednesday afternoon. At 2:29 p.m. Cambridge police tweeted that “wireline and wireless 911 call capability across the state is intermittently impacted at this time” and suggested...

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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