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Zetron Launches New MAX Fire Station Alerting Solution to Improve Emergency Response Time and Preparedness
MAX Fire Station Alerting introduces functionality that strengthens the connections and congruence between dispatch and response teams REDMOND, WASH. (PRWEB) JULY 29, 2020 Zetron, a global leader in integrated mission critical communications technology, today...
Public Safety Committee passes resolution urging transparency from police (KY)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The resolution to increase transparency within the Louisville Metro Police Department passed through the Public Safety Committee on Wednesday. Sponsored by Metro Council President David James and Councilwoman Jessica Green, the resolution urges the...
Sexual assault Prison for a 911 dispatcher (Canada)
A 911 dispatcher will not be able to return to his job as he hoped, because he was sentenced to serve 90 days in prison for sexual assault against a policewoman in the North Crown of Montreal. "The accused worked in a police environment where respect for the law is...
First responders implement a new 911 dispatcher, she’s a cousin to Siri (WI)
WAUSAU, Wis. (WAOW) -- A new 911 dispatcher has been added in our area. The new system is something that's been in the works for quite some time now. Very similar to the way Siri works and talks, Samantha does the same. The Phoenix G2 VoiceAlert is a...
County commissioners, EMA working to free up funds for public safety departments (OH)
NORWALK — The Huron County commissioners and Emergency Management Agency are considering using funds from the 9-1-1 Levy to help public safety departments upgrade their first responder equipment next year. EMA director Tacy Bond met with the commissioners last week to...
Sheriff’s office honors local dispatcher (VA)
WoodmenLife and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office recently recognized Megan Shiner for her commitment to the community. Shiner is a remarkable and extraordinary asset to this department, said Melissa Cundiff, assistant director for the county’s 911 communications...
LeWanda Jefferson retiring as Mansfield dispatcher after 31 years (OH)
MANSFIELD - LaWanda Jefferson is retiring Wednesday from a job she loves. Jefferson, 56, has spent the past 31 years working as a dispatcher for the city of Mansfield. She described her demeanor on the air waves as "stern," but most who have heard her dispatching...
TX APCO honors Odessa telecommunicators (TX)
The Texas Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (TX APCO) selected the City of Odessa Public Safety Communications Department as the 2019 Telecommunicator Team of the Year for their work during the August 31, 2019 active shooter incident....
APCO Launches Virtual Classroom
Real-time, instructor-led course provides alternative learning option
Alexandria, VA – Today the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International launched the APCO Virtual Classroom that will offer live instruction led online in real-time by APCO Institute adjunct instructors. The virtual classroom is unique in that it provides online students the interactive, engaging environment that is usually found only in a traditional classroom setting.
The first course that will be offered in this setting is Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST), 7th Edition, which is a foundational course that covers communication skills, call taking and radio techniques. The PST course incorporates the most up-to-date information on technology and work-related issues in emergency communications centers.
“The launch of APCO Virtual Classroom comes at the right time when in-person training is limited,” said Derek K. Poarch, Executive Director and CEO of APCO International. “We will begin with the foundational course PST and continue to add new courses regularly to ensure that our members can get the vital training they need to serve and save lives.”
APCO will release additional courses, including Tactical Dispatch, Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), EMD Manager and Communications Training Officer, in the following months. In addition to getting an experience similar to that received in a traditional classroom setting, students will get expedited training without having to travel. For example, the virtual classroom PST course takes five days versus four weeks for the regular online course.
APCO is currently accepting registrations for the virtual PST course set to begin August 17. Students are encouraged to register quickly as space is limited to 20 participants. Learn more at apcointl.org/virtual.
APCO International® (www.apcointl.org)APCO International is the world’s oldest and largest organization of public safety communications professionals and supports the largest U.S. membership base of any public safety association. It serves the needs of public safety communications practitioners worldwide – and the welfare of the general public as a whole – by providing complete expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach.
Fairfield RTM approves joint dispatch center with Westport (CT)
FAIRFIELD — The final hurtle for a joint dispatch center with Westport was cleared when the Representative Town Meeting approved the agreement between the two towns. In a Monday night teleconference meeting, the RTM approved the plans unanimously and without...
Utica man accused of threatening dispatcher at Oneida County 911 Center (NY)
UTICA, N.Y. -- Oneida County Sheriff's Deputies have arrested a Utica man for allegedly threatening the life of a dispatcher from the Oneida County 911 Center. 65-year-old Mark S. Kozien called the 911 center several times for no legitimate reason, according to the...
Challenges, portals and virtual events: How PSCR is bringing tech and public safety together
Amid a rapidly evolving technology landscape, how do public safety agencies find out about the latest and greatest options, and best practices on how to implement them? How do tech companies which want to serve the first responder market learn what their customers...
Midland 911 director talks history, importance of public safety radio system (MI)
Midland County residents will be able to vote on a variety of proposals on the Aug. 4 ballot, including the renewal of the 9‐1‐1 Central Dispatch millage. The four-year millage -- from 2021 until 2024 -- is estimated to raise $2,422,606 in the first year to continue...
AT&T Invests more than $10M on Greenville network (NC)
AT&T officials said they have expanded on the largest network in North America. From 2017-19, the company invested more than $10 million in its wireless network in Greenville to expand coverage and improve connectivity in more communities. That investment has...
California Police Getting 911 Calls Livestreamed to Their Patrol Cars (CA)
CHULA VISTA, California -- Chula Vista police officers are getting a quicker start on emergencies thanks to new technology that allows 911 calls to be sent directly to computers in their patrol cars. Instead of waiting for a 911 operator to type out their notes and...
Erie County radio system coverage weak in North East, elsewhere (PA)
NORTH EAST — Lieutenant Mike Kelley of the Crescent Hose Co. navigates the department’s red fire truck along a picturesque stretch of Route 5 as North East Fire Chief Dave Meehl watches the red light on the truck’s mobile communications radio start to glow. A voice...
CFD veteran picked to lead new Public Safety Administration (IL)
A longtime employee of the city’s emergency service departments has been appointed to lead a newly created public safety office. Annastasia M. Walker will serve as executive director of the city’s Office of Public Safety Administration, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced...
911 funding proposal comes with nuances (MT)
Once again, Flathead County voters are being asked to support a ballot measure that will tax property owners to pay for ongoing equipment upgrades at the Flathead Emergency Communications Center known as the 911 center. It’s the third such proposal in six years, and...
Cops deliver new fridge to a woman after she called 911 to complain that her refrigerator broke down (FL)
Making 911 calls over something that is not an emergency in the United States of America, but the outcome was different for a senior citizen who called 911 to complain that her refrigerator had broken down. Cheryl Nanartonis of Jensen Beach, Florida, was worried would...
(Exclusive) Dispatcher, Riverside Police Officer Help Mom Perform CPR On Teenage Son Found Not Breathing [VIDEO] (CA)
A dispatcher, a mom and a police officer together helped save a teenage boy's life in ... They're trying to save her sixteen-year-old son who had a medical emergency while inside riverside homes and stopped breathing I was like god ...
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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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