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School of hard knocks: 911 operations in the COVID-19 era
Boxer and pop philosopher Mike Tyson once opined that “everyone has a plan—until they get punched in the mouth.” Without question, the COVID-19 pandemic has punched the public-safety/emergency-response community squarely in the mouth—and hard. But the community’s...
NENA Announces NG9-1-1 & GIS Webinar
NG9-1-1 Insights From a GIS Professional
Wednesday, April 29 | 3PM Eastern (live) or On-DemandFREE for NENA Members | Not a member? Join today to receive access!Click here to register!
In Next Generation 9-1-1, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) becomes the backbone of the infrastructure needed for location identification and call routing to PSAPs. Data quality is a key component of ensuring a smooth transition to NG9-1-1. There will be challenges in breaking down data silos within your organization and with surrounding agencies; you must be prepared to talk to your neighbors and partners to further the goals of better GIS data quality. Attend this hour-long webinar to learn:
The role of GIS in an NG9-1-1 world;
What you can do to ensure GIS-data integrity for accurate spatial call routing; and
How to work collaboratively across agencies to develop and implement a plan for effective address clean up and maintenance.
Can’t attend on the 29th? Register now and you will receive an email after the live presentation with instructions for accessing the on-demand webinar archive.
Presenter: Keri Brennan, GISP – DATAMARK
CEUs: Attend this webinar and receive one-half ENP re-certification point towards the ten-point maximum for NENA courses in the Professional Development CEU/Course Credits section.
Webinar Access Info: Dial-in and web-access details provided automatically via email upon registration.
Questions? Contact Amanda Tegtmeyer with the NENA Education team.
The voice behind 911 during COVID-19 (AZ)
Yvette Baxley’s been answering 911 calls for 27 years — heart attacks, shootings, domestic violence, accidents. She knows just what to ask to keep people safe and calm. It’s all different now. The script has changed. Now, she must also protect the first responders...
County recognizes 911 telecommunicators as first responders (NM)
Community Snapshot: The Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners recognized Mesilla Valley Regional Dispatch Authority, MVRDA, 911 emergency telecommunicators and call takers as first responders. In 2019, MVRDA 911 telecommunicators and call takers provided medical...
NENA Announces “Self-Care for Women in 9-1-1” Webinar
Self-Care for Women in 9-1-1
Thursday, May 14 | 1PM Eastern (live) or On-Demand
FREE! Click here to register!
Join NENA for the the latest edition of the Women in 9-1-1 (WIN) webinar series!
While we are all struggling with the anxiety and work- and life-changes caused by COVID-19, it?s more important than ever to be kind to ourselves and practice self-care. When your job is to help others, sometimes helping yourself takes a back burner. That may be ok for a short time, however it will not serve anyone in the long term. During this passionate and fun presentation, you?ll learn why taking care of yourself first is not optional. Come on a journey to choose more joy for yourself, so that you have more of it to share with others.
Can’t attend on the 14th? Register now and you will receive an email after the live presentation with instructions for accessing the on-demand webinar archive.
Presenter: Barb Moses – High5 Leadership
CEUs: Attend this webinar and receive one-half ENP re-certification point towards the ten-point maximum for NENA courses in the Professional Development CEU/Course Credits section.Webinar Access Info: Dial-in and web-access details provided automatically via email upon registration.
Virginia county’s workers and public safety host literacy program for students (VA)
Law enforcement officers, first responders and local leaders are banding together for a reading initiative for Bedford County students who are finishing the school year outside a traditional classroom setting — and with no, or limited, access to book stores and...
Harford County hangs banner to thank essential workers (MD)
People classified as essential workers, or those who go to work each day despite the novel coronavirus pandemic, received thanks from the Harford County government in the form of a banner posted on the county administration building in Bel Air on Thursday. “Thank you...
Queen Anne’s County recognizes dispatchers (MD)
CENTREVILLE — Queen Anne's County released a statement Friday, April 17, recognizing National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week and thanking its dispatchers. "While the county has been responding to the Coronavirus, we realize that we have not taken the time this...
Public safety Dispatchers: ‘We could not survive without them’ (CA)
The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office last week honored its public safety dispatchers and those throughout the United States. “This is a very special time to celebrate and thank the truly outstanding public safety dispatchers that dedicate their lives to serving the...
Bid recommended for 911 radio rebuild (MI)
In a special video meeting Wednesday, the Branch County 911 Communications Board recommend the county award to J&K Communication of Indiana a $8.2 million bid to upgrade and rebuild the county’s police, fire and emergency communication system. The system is a VHS...
It’s time for government to ‘throw the old 911 out the window’
Emergency responders are taking on expanded roles during the COVID-19 pandemic — from scheduling grocery deliveries to quarantined residents to triaging patients over video chat. These unanticipated changes are revealing the hidden value of emergency operations and...
Coronavirus In Minnesota: ‘It’s Our Duty,’ Says 911 Dispatcher Adjusting To New Realities At Work (MN)
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, 911 dispatchers are helping protect first responders unlike ever before. Because the novel coronavirus is the top priority at Hennepin County Dispatch Center, for call dispatchers like Cindy Galland, a report about...
Dayton recognizes National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (OH)
Even though celebrations may be muted because of the Covid-19 virus pandemic, the city of Dayton is recognizing their telecommunicators during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. The recognition is the second full week of April each year when residents in...
Public Safety Advocate: Open Letter to Congress—Public Safety Needs Your Help Now
Dear Members of the U.S. House and Senate: There are bills pending in both the House and Senate that need your attention now! We understand you…
Dispatcher of the Year (VA)
Farmville Emergency Communications Dispatcher Michael Driskill has been chosen as this year's Telecommunicator of the Year. According to Farmville Emergency Communications Direction Jackie Gilbert, Driskill was nominated by his peers for going above and beyond with...
Honoring Front Line Heroes: Meet the Metro 911 Dispatchers (TN)
NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) — They might be behind the scenes, but they are crucial first responders. “The very first voice that they hear,” says Alisa Franklin. “I guess it’s been said that we’re the first, first responders although we don’t get recognized that much....
Easton police, fire departments give thanks to Good Samaritan Medical Center employees (MA)
Easton Fire Chief Kevin Partridge, Easton Police Chief Gary Sullivan, and Holbrook Regional Emergency Communications Center Director Steve Hooke announced that their agencies were among several first responder agencies throughout the region paying a special visit to...
Andrew Saunders to head Athens-Clarke Central Services (GA)
Andrew Saunders is the new director of the Athens-Clarke County Central Services Department, one of the government’s top administrative posts. In his new job, Saunders will oversee Athens-Clarke’s facilities management, fleet management, landscape management and...
New website to be coronavirus ‘tool’ for residents, St. Joseph County dispatch (IN)
SOUTH BEND — A new website that could be up and running in about a week could save emergency dispatchers time and first responders precious protective gear, as St. Joseph County moves toward its likely peak time in May of coronavirus cases. The website is meant to...
Casper-Natrona County Dispatch Now Receives 911 Text Messages (WY)
Natrona County residents can now contact emergency services through dispatch by texting as well as calling 911, according to a news release from the Casper Police Department on Tuesday. “This new service could be a life saver for people with speech and hearing...
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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