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County approves $14.69 million budget for emergency service projects (ND)
Demolition and site work for Williams County's emergency services project will be getting under way soon, after Williams County Commissioners approved a maximum of $3.58 million toward the initial phases of construction for a joint Emergency Operations Center. The...
Police dispatcher resigns over racist comment on black protester (NJ)
A police dispatcher in New Jersey resigned Monday after posting a racist touch upon Fb a few black boy at a George Floyd protest. In a photograph posted on Fb, the Eight-year-old boy is pictured at a protest in Boston on Friday holding a sign, “At what age do I...
Gallatin County voters approve tax hikes for public safety (MT)
Gallatin County voters have approved two tax increases to help pay for the 911 Dispatch Center and search and rescue operations. In preliminary totals Tuesday night, the tax hike for the 911 Dispatch Center passed with 54.4% of voters in favor and 45.6% The tax...
FirstNet expands footprint to Pacific Territories
FIRSTNET is America’s public safety network. That means first responders in all 50 states, 5 territories and the District of Columbia are gaining access to the only nationwide, high-speed broadband communications platform dedicated to and purpose-built specifically...
County to Begin Regular COVID-19 Testing of Public Safety Personnel (VA)
Arlington County is planning to start regular testing of public safety personnel and critical employees, ARLnow has learned. The county has acquired a rapid testing machine, which is currently undergoing a certification process. Once its accuracy is certified, it will...
SOMA Global Expands Into North Carolina, Announces Partnership for Cloud-Based Public Safety (NC)
SOMA Global, a leading provider of Public Safety as a Service (PSAAS™), has contracted with the City of Whiteville Police Department to implement North Carolina’s first cloud-native Public Safety Solution, fully running on the AWS GovCloud. “Our agency is excited to...
Using a Mobile Application to Address Stress-Related Symptoms in Emergency Dispatchers
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Abstract
Introduction: Emergency dispatchers report significant job stress, yet few controlled investigations examine their specific psychological complaints. Additionally, research examining the use of interventions directed at alleviating their work-related stress is limited.
Objective: This study aims to examine the efficacy and feasibility of a mobile application (PTSD Coach) on various indicators of psychosocial well-being among emergency telecommunicator dispatchers.
Methods: A sample of 117 emergency dispatchers attending the 2018 NAVIGATOR conference agreed to participate in a study examining the impact of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Coach on work-related stress. Over a one-month period of use, they completed weekly surveys of mood. The results indicated that dispatchers experience a wide range of emergency calls, some of which create moderate to severe distress.
Results: Twenty-three percent (23%) of the sample (n = 27) met criteria for PTSD. Engagement with PTSD Coach over a one-month period resulted in statistically significant decreases in PTSD symptom severity and other psychological indicators. Conclusion: Mobile application such as PTSD Coach offer accessible and often free psychoeducational and self-management tools to those who may shy away from conventional mental health treatment. The tools provided in the PTSD Coach allowed the dispatchers to practice managing their mood discretely. Additional modifications and application relevance are discussed.
Topics:secondary PTSD|stress management
Voices of the Peninsula: Get back to the drawing board on 911 system (AK)
Although many Alaskans are focused on the budget, PFDs and life with COVID-19, there are other key issues that affect the public. One recent development quietly occurring in the background related to public safety should be brought to the attention of the public is...
Gwinnett Police Department Announces Text to 911 Capability (GA)
PRESS RELEASE: Call If You Can, Text If You Can’tThe Gwinnett County Police Department is proud to announce that as of June 1, 2020 we will now have Text to 911 capability. The best, fastest, most reliable method to contact 911 in an emergency is to call and speak to...
Alert: The FCC and CISA Call on States to Keep Americans Connected During COVID-19 Crisis
The Federal Communications Commission and the US Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency have sent a joint letter urging the country's governors and the mayor of Washington, DC, to take steps to ensure that Americans remain...
Coronavirus means long-distance re-accreditation of Forsyth 911 (GA)
The Forsyth County 911 Center will undergo an unusual, remote assessment this week as it seeks re-accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). “Due to COVID-19 concerns, CALEA has developed a contingency plan for an online...
After an embattled history, Cascade County 911 rings in its 30th year (MT)
If you need help, call 911. It’s a number that’s been drilled into our heads for decades, but there was a time when 911 services weren’t available everywhere. This week, the Cascade County 911 Center celebrated the 30th year since 911 was implemented in Cascade...
County: 911 fees should cover payroll at the communications center, not local taxpayers (TN)
The Coffee County Budget and Finance Committee voted on May 27 to transfer the obligation for covering payroll costs at the Coffee County Communications Center from the county to the 911 board, effective Jan. 1, 2021. This vote means payroll and employee benefits – an...
SFO elevates its emergency response capabilities with the launch of Text-to-911 service (CA)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 2020-May-29 — /Travel PR News/ — The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) today (May 27, 2020) announced Text-to-911 service for anyone at the Airport to send a text message to reach SFO 911 dispatchers from a mobile phone or smart device when...
VERDE VALLEY CORONAVIRUS HEROES: In their own words, dispatchers describe pandemic challenges (AZ)
COTTONWOOD – Asking people over the phone about personal health circumstances never gets easier, emergency dispatchers say. Of course, what has been easy, for any first responders, during the COVID-9 pandemic? Marie Carpenter, the manager of the Cottonwood Police...
Project improves communication for first responders (OH)
On June 1, Champaign County EMS and fire agencies will start the process of transitioning to the Multi-Agency Radio Communication System (MARCS) with County Dispatch. MARCS is a 700/800 MHz radio and data network that utilizes state-of-the-art trunked technology to...
Freemasons honor dispatchers with free lunches Friday (NY)
CANTON — Many people don’t think of that voice on the other end of the line, the one that is there, only when you need it, when there is an emergency, when you don’t know where else to turn, the one that answers, “9-1-1.” But on Friday, members of the St. Lawrence...
Henry County to build emergency communications tower in Hampton (GA)
The county approved a measure earlier this year setting the stage for the construction of a cell tower at 233 Richard Petty Boulevard, pending city approval. The purpose of the move is to build a tower at a higher elevation for improved an expanded coverage of the...
Honored: Columbia 9-1-1- Communications District (OR)
Columbia 9-1-1- Communications District, the sole Public Safety 9-1-1 Answering Point (PSAP) and dispatch center for all public safety agencies based in Columbia County, has been recognized by RQI Partners and the Resuscitation Academy Foundation as a “Resuscitation...
Fire Dispatch: Virtual 9-1-1: The Time Is Now
When you mention the numbers 9-1-1, people immediately think of quickly reporting an emergency or of the response system that’s involved. The term itself has entered our vocabulary as a synonym for speed. If you ask the same people to describe where they believe...
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Help Guide FirstNet Investments: Take a Survey hosted by the First Responder Network Authority
We welcome your insights on the experiences and operational challenges you encounter as a public safety professional. By participating in this FirstNet Authority survey, you’ll help shape future enhancements to ensure they meet the mission‑critical, real‑world needs of the public safety community. The survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.
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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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