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SIRN 20/20 set to begin new communications for first responders by end of year (MO)
During a 2014 study on public safety communication, the state noticed a few deficiencies. “Those deficiencies were shown of being the 800-plus radio systems, despaired radio systems owned and controlled either through the state, county, local or volunteer agencies...
5 THINGS TO KNOW: McAlester/Pittsburg County E911 explains services offered (OK)
In 2008, Pittsburg County and the city of McAlester began working together to improve the 911 Emergency Service for the residents of Pittsburg County. The result of that effort, was that each town, city, rural area, and visitor could now request and get help by...
New 911 dispatch system planned for Union County (MS)
Union County officials are moving forward on a project to overhaul the 911 dispatch system. “It’s just a total upgrade,” said Union County Emergency Management Director Curt Clayton. “This system will be the state-of-the-art system.” The project will involve buying...
Aurora 911 dispatchers inundated with calls, threats due to Elijah McClain case (CO)
AURORA, Colo. -- Aurora's 911 Communications Center is being inundated with angry calls and threats regarding the Elijah McClain case, bogging down the call system and slowing down public safety response. On social media, a call was put out to call the non-emergency...
Okaloosa plans to issue RFP to banks willing to loan $20 million to replace emergency communications equipment (FL)
CRESTVIEW —Okaloosa County officials plan to issue a request for proposals to banks that will compete for the right to loan the county a projected $20 million for the replacement of inadequate emergency services communications equipment. That plan received the County...
Volunteer for the Vetting Mental-Health-Provider Resources for EAP Programs Working Group
Volunteer for the Vetting Mental-Health-Provider Resources for EAP Programs Working Group
1 hour ago (0 Comments)Posted by: Chris NussmanThe Vetting Mental-Health-Provider Resources for Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) working group will produce an information document that will inform agencies when developing or refining their EAPs. The document will define EAP, identify different types of EAPs with the advantages and shortcomings of each EAP type, and identify specific criteria for professional mental health and wellness consultants, clinicians, counselors, and therapists to be included as agencies’ EAP providers.
Any and all 9-1-1 professionals, mental health and wellness professionals, and persons with agency human-resource experience and/or with EAPs are invited to sign up here.
Park Police did not record their radio transmissions during Lafayette Square operation on June 1
Audio of the forceful push led by U.S. Park Police to sweep protesters out of Lafayette Square on June 1, moments before President Trump’s visit to St. John’s Episcopal Church, was not recorded by the Park Police radio communications system, the agency said Tuesday....
LAPD responds to a million 911 calls a year — but relatively few for violent crimes (CA)
LAPD Chief Michel Moore expressed support for the idea recently, and the department is planning to begin diverting some suicide calls to a phone line run by a mental health organization. But removing police from all mental health-related calls would reduce the LAPD's...
One City’s 30-Year Experiment With Reimagining Public Safety (OR)
AMID THE NATIONAL reckoning over systemic racism and policing inspired by the May 25 killing of George Floyd, advocates are calling for a reimagining of American public safety through reforms such as reduced department funding and alternative policing models. In...
Text-to-911 now available at VAFB (CA)
During a hostage situation or in the event of an active shooter, it’s important that individuals remain quiet. These are prime examples of some situations where members can’t make a phone call during an emergency. As a whole, what can Vandenberg Air Force Base do to...
JPD quick to respond during emergency system issues (NC)
If you were a Verizon Wireless customer attempting to call the Jacksonville Police Department 9-1-1 emergency system Sunday night, chances are your call did not go through. Assistant City Manager Glenn Hargett sent an emergency release at 9:30 p.m. Sunday explaining...
This digital location tech could help emergency crews find you in the wilderness
Broke your ankle somewhere in Manitoba's vast wilderness? Crashed your car on the highway somewhere outside Toronto? With location technology startup What3words, Canadians now have a new way to tell emergency responders exactly where they are -- even if they don't...
Chula Vista Police Department to launch Live911 technology (CA)
CHULA VISTA (KUSI) – The Chula Vista Police Department is breaking ground on an innovative technology that will benefit anyone who makes an emergency 9-1-1 call in the City. In addition to CVPD’s successful Drone as a First Responder program, now all CVPD patrol...
Oglala Sioux Tribe using FirstNet to integrate technology, increase officer safety
by Tawny Zimiga, IT Director – Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety
Prior to going to FirstNet, we had no reliable way to communicate. We looked into different options – a lot were expensive and unattainable for our agency.
So we started looking into wireless options as well as wired. And that’s when I read about FirstNet in its beginning stages. I knew all the states had opted in – including South Dakota. And that prompted me to look into it further to see if we were eligible – which we were. Once I researched it and saw the benefits, I presented it to the chief and he was excited about it.
At that time, we had zero police units with wireless connectivity. Police officers had to go to smaller departments or buildings that we created to use the computers for report writing. It was taking them off the street and out of the communities where they really needed to be. And that didn’t help an already shorthanded situation. READ MORE
Make all 911 Dispatchers First Responders (NM)
To get Washington, D.C. to sit up and take notice, its stressed the movement needs to start locally before advancing to the New Mexico Legislature. Constituent support would be paramount. If a bill is passed and signed by the governor, state lawmakers can then take...
Support Needed: Dispatchers’ trauma moments deserve attention (CA)
Imagine yourself as a law-enforcement dispatcher. The hours are long, and don’t expect a nine-to-five schedule. The stress is high. Your every action on the radio and phone is scrutinized. Maybe you save a life, and if you cannot through no fault of your own, there’s...
Proposed county budget includes reallocating of property tax cents, cuts to expenses (TN)
The Coffee County Commission discussed the proposed budget for 2020-2021 on June 23. Coffee County Budget and Finance Committee members have worked for months to present a budget, cutting expenses in attempt to tackle the uncertain situation caused by the COVID-19...
Secondary call center provides lifeline during pandemic, beyond (VA)
The Martinsville-Henry County 911 Center went a step beyond the social distancing guidelines, hand sanitizing stations and other health protocols issued as a result of the pandemic. To make sure employees are safe while keeping the community safe, the center began...
House approves $12 billion for NG911 funding in infrastructure package, but bill unlikely to pass Senate
U.S. House members this week approved a $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill that includes $12 billion in funding for next-generation 911 (NG911) deployments, but the spending proposal is not expected to be considered seriously by the Senate, according to numerous...
Two local dispatchers recognized by Wasilla mayor for quick action saving child’s life (AK)
WASILLA — Wasilla Mayor Bert Cottle honored MATCOM dispatchers Justin Shoemake and Renee Jensen for providing quick action and appropriate instruction in CPR during a critical moment that ultimately saved a child’s life June 22. “It’s definitely an injection of...
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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