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Podcast: Emergency Management Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic
In this episode of In Public Safety Matters, Dr. Kevin Kupietz, who has spent more than 30 years working in emergency management, discusses his role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic as a member of the National Disaster Medical System. Learn more about the...
Webinar on HR & Wellness Issues During the COVID-19 Pandemic
HR & Wellness Best Practices for PSAPs During the COVID-19 PandemicFriday, April 24 | 3PM Eastern (live) or On-Demand
FREE! Click here to register!
It’s essential to maintain effective 9-1-1 center operations during these unprecedented times. We must keep our ourselves – and our teams – safe and healthy so that we can continue to protect the public. Attend this special COVID-19 webinar to learn:
Answers to HR-related questions on issues such as health screenings, essential-worker designations, staffing policies, and more; and
Actions you can take to promote wellness and mental hygiene in the center and at home.
Can’t attend on the 24th? Register now and you will receive an email after the live presentation with instructions for accessing the on-demand webinar archive.
Presenters: John Kelly, ENP ? Ottosen, DiNolfo, Hasenbalg & Castaldo, Ltd. | Dr. Michelle Lilly ? Northern Illinois University | Jim Marshall ? 911 Training Institute
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.
Local 911 dispatchers act as ‘voice in the dark’ for those frightened by pandemic (KY)
ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (WDRB) – During a pandemic, when the public needs a calm voice on the other end of a 911 call the most, communities across the country are celebrating National Telecommunicator Appreciation Week. All week, volunteers and businesses have been...
Indiana State Police Bloomington Post Celebrates Public Safety Telecommunicator Week (IN)
Telecommunications operators are the unsung heroes of public safety. They operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These are the men and women who collect the initial information and pass it along to the first responders in the field. Often they are able to give...
Pitkin County 911: From troubled to best in state (CO)
Four years ago, the situation at Pitkin County’s 911 emergency dispatch center was on the brink of disaster. Chronic problems at the critical agency, including understaffing, low morale, low pay and employee wellness issues, coupled with an inability to find a...
Dispatchers discuss work-life during COVID pandemic (HI)
Honolulu dispatchers have been working hard to ensure that first responders and the public remain safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the next time you call 9-1-1, be prepared to answer a few COVID-19 related questions. “We know it’s a life-threatening...
Sheriff’s Office recognizes Communications Bureau during national telecommunicators week (NY)
The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office recognized its telecommunicators – 911 dispatchers and other public safety communicators – this week. National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week was April 12 to 18. The week recognizes the work of dispatchers and public safety...
Allegany County’s 911 dispatchers receive recognition (MD)
CUMBERLAND — As the novel coronavirus pandemic continues globally, the Allegany County Department of Emergency Services is taking time to honor the communication specialists of the county’s Joint Communications Center for National Public Safety Telecommunicators...
Upper Missouri Regional Dispatch Center celebrates National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (MO)
The Upper Missouri River Regional Dispatch Center celebrated the week of April 12 through 18 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. This week, sponsored by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International and celebrated annually,...
Amid COVID-19 pandemic, a thanks to public safety dispatchers (OR)
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- As the State of Oregon, and states across the nation, grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to keep communities safe and informed, it’s more important than ever to recognize 9-1-1 operators in Oregon. The week ending Saturday was...
Livingston County Sheriff Asks Us To Honor Dispatchers (NY)
“The days of Dispatchers simply answering a phone similar to an operator have long passed,” stated Sheriff Dougherty. “Your hardworking dispatchers and public safety telecommunicators serve as a vital link between your community fire, medical and law enforcement...
Introducing the faces behind the voices among Genesee County 9-1-1 Emergency Services staff (NY)
BATAVIA — Genesee County Sheriff William Sheron Jr. Friday said he wanted people to meet the dispatchers who might have been on the other end of the line if they called 9-1-1 for an emergency. The county sheriff’s office released photos of 18 dispatchers or senior...
Communications center director gives insight as an emergency dispatcher (KY)
In honor of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, the Sentinel-Echo reached out to Michael Holt, director of the London-Laurel Communications Center. Holt shared insight into his previous experience and what a day is like at an emergency dispatch center....
People met with busy tone when trying to place cellphone calls in Fairfax Co. (VA)
A network issue has been reported in Fairfax County, Virginia, causing intermittent issues with wireless phone calls. People are reporting hearing a busy signal when using their cellphone for calls. A WTOP listener reported similar issues in Montgomery County,...
911 operators are being celebrated in Coos Bay this week (OR)
COOS BAY, Ore. — 9-1-1 operators are celebrated this week in Coos Bay's National Safety Telecommunication Proclamation. Mayor Joe Benetti said the city of Coos Bay is honoring those on the front lines who, he said, normally don't get the recognition they deserve. "You...
Plano asks residents to register with ‘Smart911’ (TX)
Plano announced Monday it is now using Smart911, a free service designed to accelerate the process of emergency calls for residents. Developed by private Massachusetts-based Rave Security, Smart911 identifies itself as an emergency service that will connect residents...
Public Safety Telecommunicators Week honors dispatchers (IA)
DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) -- The coronavirus has forced many people to work remotely but not everyone can do that including 9-1-1 dispatchers. All throughout this week, they are being recognized for the work they are doing to serve communities. Ashley Huffman sits...
Beatty named 911 Dispatcher of the Year (OH)
MOUNT VERNON — During a week that is dubbed National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, and at a time of the global pandemic, it’s fitting the 2019 Dispatcher of the Year is a Knox County 911 team member who serves on the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team....
Fort Smith fires 911 dispatcher (AR)
FORT SMITH -- After an allegation of offensive and inappropriate language and an internal investigation, a 911 dispatcher with the Fort Smith Police Department has been terminated effective Friday...
Delaware State Police Recognize Public Safety Communication Personnel (DE)
Delaware- The Delaware State Police (DSP) is proud to recognize and honor its public safety communication personnel during National Public Safety Telecommunications Operators Week. The Delaware State Police Communications Section consists of three 911 Public Safety...
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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