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News & Articles
Dispatch commemorates 40th Anniversary (KS)
The Hutchinson-Reno County Emergency Communications team has been around for 40 years. The joint system was still a seven-digit number when they combined in 1983. The first 911 system was set up in Reno County in 1985. On Saturday, the dispatch center celebrated their...
Vallejo dispatchers to move to new portable buildings outside police HQ (CA)
ALLEJO – The Vallejo City Council voted Tuesday to install new portable buildings next to the current police headquarters to house the city’s emergency dispatch center instead of the location that city staff had previously selected at the waterfront police building....
Governor Hochul Announces $55 Million in State Funding to Enhance Emergency Communications (NY)
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a combined $55 million in state funding was awarded to 57 counties and New York City for upgrades to the state's emergency communications systems and public safety answering points. The funding was made available by two grants...
Metro Communications on-the-move (SD)
SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO) — The City of Sioux Falls and Minnehaha County commissioners met Tuesday to finalize a joint-powers agreement that will place Metro Communications under the management umbrella of the City. But this administrative move isn’t the only big change...
Out with the old and in with the new Outagamie County 911 center (WI)
The Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office has been pushing for a new 911 communications center for years and after some pushback it's finally underway. READ FULL ARTICLE
Student waits 3 hours for police after alleged rape at New Orleans school (LA)
A 9-1-1 call log shows the victim of an alleged rape at a New Orleans school had to wait three hours for an NOPD officer to arrive. Amid questions about how calls are prioritized, the head of the 9-1-1 call center says he didn’t know anything about the incident. READ...
Brandon 911 dispatcher dreams of becoming an ‘American Idol’ (MS)
From Brandon to the “American Idol” stage, it’s a dream come true for one performer who spends his days singing and his nights serving his community. READ FULL ARTICLE
SAN FRNCISCO 911 DISPATCHERS OPPOSED DEMAND FOR LONG HOURS DURING … (CA)
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Klamath Falls, county, 9-1-1, fire district transition to integrated safety system (OR)
City and county law enforcement and emergency services will soon have integrated access to all public safety reports and information. Klamath Falls City Council entered into an intergovernmental agreement Monday evening with Klamath County commissioners, 9-1-1...
Accelerating Your Transition to NG-911 | Police Magazine
In the US, more than 90% of adults own a smartphone. We routinely send texts, take pictures, post videos, and use social media to stay in touch. The ways in which we communicate has had a major impact on all our interactions, including how we engage with public safety...
911 calls from deadly Lahaina wildfire reveal terror and panic in the rush to escape (HI)
LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) -- Audio of 911 calls from a deadly August wildfire released late Thursday by Maui County authorities reveals a terrifying and chaotic scene as the inferno swept through the historic town of Lahaina and people desperately tried to escape burning...
Avon police dispatcher on leave pending special prosecutor investigation (MA)
An Avon police dispatcher was placed on paid administrative leave on Wednesday, the same day it was revealed during an arraignment for Aidan Kearney, known for his controversial “Turtleboy” blog, that he had called a police dispatcher asking her to run license plate...
Beshear announces KSP graduates largest telecommunications class in agency history (KY)
On Oct. 6, Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky State Police announced 30 telecommunicators, representing 13 posts across the commonwealth, have graduated from the KSP Telecommunications Academy. This is the agency’s largest graduating class in its history. READ FULL...
ECSO get approval for an advanced dispatch system (TX)
ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) -The Ector County Sheriff’s Office will soon have a new piece of technology to help officers respond quicker to accurate locations. The Ector County Commissioners voted in favor of a new CAD system, which stands for computer aided dispatch.
Southampton Police shuts down dispatch center due to staffing shortages (MA)
SOUTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – The Southampton Police Department will be transitioning to utilizing the Easthampton Public Safety dispatchers due to significant staffing shortages.
SLO County sheriff, fire departments break ground on new dispatch center (CA)
State-of-the-art facility predicted to streamline first responder communication READ FULL ARTICLE
Sussex County cuts ribbon on new Emergency Operations Complex (DE)
SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. – Sussex County officials cut the ribbon on a new emergency operations center Tuesday morning. At the newly-dubbed Emergency Operations Complex, county leaders say emergency planners, 911 dispatchers, and paramedics will be working side by side....
911 dispatch wait times: help delayed due to staffing shortages (SD)
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - The 911 dispatcher is where every emergency response begins. In an emergency, the amount of time it takes for help to reach you can be the difference between life and death. The growing dispatcher shortage could cause issues in rural areas...
Orange County’s 911 Dispatchers Are Chronically Overworked; Can They Handle the Next Disaster? (CA)
Orange County’s biggest emergency dispatch center is struggling to staff itself, raising questions over whether there are enough 911 dispatchers. Call center operators are ringing alarm bells saying they’re already brutally overworked – they also warn that the...
The harm caused by D.C.’s broken 911 system goes beyond deaths
A D.C. mother who was placed on hold when she called 911 says her daughter was a healthy 27-year-old and now depends on her for everything In the months since her daughter went from struggling to breathe to losing consciousness, Toni Barnes has learned how D.C’s...
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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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