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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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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.

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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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