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Public Safety: Future of Dispatch, Cybersecurity

Emerging advancements in dispatch technology have provided public safety agencies with new and exciting capabilities. As 9-1-1 command centers acquire these next-generation products, the next logical step is to maximize efficiencies by integrating them with external...

New dispatcher on the line in Grant County (OR)

Christmas morning, kids wake up as excitement fills the air at the chance to open gifts with family — a feeling comparable to when Darian Maynard returned to the Grant County dispatch center to begin her work as the new dispatcher. Maynard recently graduated after...

How Peer-to-Peer Texting Could Play a Role in Disaster and Pandemic Response

By Brandi Vincent
As America fights a global pandemic and braces for what could be an alarmingly active hurricane season, public safety agencies looking to modernize response efforts have a new option to participate in personal, two-way conversations directly with each other and with those they serve—via text message.
RumbleUp, a peer-to-peer texting app that’s made notable waves for political and advocacy campaigns in recent years, was accepted into the FirstNet App Catalog, a dedicated library of secure applications that can be used by more than 12,000 public safety agencies. The addition could enable first responders to directly text people on the ground in support of COVID-19 testing and contact tracing efforts, as a lifeline during hurricanes, and other natural disasters or unexpected events and much more. READ MORE

NextGen 911 alive and well in Elko County (NV)

ELKO — Elko County’s Next Generation 911 system that is now live in Elko and West Wendover was installed in record time and has first-of-its-kind capabilities, according to Darold Whitmer, senior vice president of strategic relationships for NGA 911 LLC. “We rolled...

NENA Supports Designation of 9-8-8 as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Number

NENA Supports Designation of 9-8-8 as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Number
35 minutes ago   (0 Comments)Posted by: Chris NussmanNENA applauds the FCC’s work to implement 9-8-8 as the nationwide short code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. For more than 50 years, the nation has benefited enormously from the development of universal access to emergency response, and suicide-related calls are a significant portion of the 9-1-1 call load. We believe a dedicated, easy-to-remember suicide prevention lifeline will lead to more robust, specialized help for such callers and save lives, while taking some of the burden off our 9-1-1 systems.

$415K contract for communications approved (NY)

JOHNSTOWN — A $415,749 contract for a new Fulton County communications system was recently approved by county supervisors. The Board of Supervisors’ Public Safety Committee voted to contract with Motorola Solutions at the request of county Emergency Management...

Oakmont adds email option to alert system (PA)

Oakmont officials recently added an email option to the borough’s alert system in an effort to reach more residents. The borough last year launched a free mobile phone text alert notification to provide emergency and nonemergency communications to residents and...

Another levy request proposed to help 911 Center (MT)

When Flathead County voters go to the polls in November, they likely will once again be asked to consider a mill levy to help fund the Flathead Emergency Communications Center, six years after the last such effort came up short. The county commissioners will vote at...

City endorses 911 upgrades (ID)

PAYETTE - At its regular meeting on July 6, the Payette City Council addressed a letter penned by Mayor Jeff Williams to the Idaho Public Safety Communications Commission, to endorse a grant application to fund upgrades of Payette County’s 911 system. The letter reads...

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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