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National Telecommunicators Week Highlights Dispatchers: “Behind the Scenes” Heroes (IA)
It’s National Telecommunicators Week and the job of a dispatcher isn’t for everyone. Matt Roberts has been a dispatcher for the Greene County Sheriff’s Office since 2009. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio there are several responsibilities, including paging out law...
Missouri patrol recognizes National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (MO)
The employees of the Missouri State Highway Patrol are proud to join in recognizing the dedication of patrol communications personnel as well as other public safety communications professionals throughout Missouri, states a press release "These professionals are to be...
911 centers report higher call volumes, spike in domestic violence calls amid COVID-19
This happens to be National 911 Telecommunicator Week, but instead of celebrating or taking time off, workers in call centers are dealing with an unprecedented challenge. As social distancing orders become stricter and COVID-19 cases climb, many 911 call centers are...
9-1-1 Dispatchers on the Front Lines of the COVID-19 Pandemic
They often sit in windowless rooms, illuminated only by the eerie glow that emanates from the bank of monitors that face them. Much of what goes on here cannot be heard; muffled by the surgical masks that are increasingly worn under headsets. Today the familiar cans...
Unsung heroes (IL)
They are the first voice heard when calling for help. The 911 telecommunicators answer every call and act accordingly for the Freeport Police and Stephenson County Sheriff’s departments and do it all with extreme professionalism no matter the situation. They don’t...
Winnebago County Dispatcher Honored for Excellence (IA)
The Iowa Chapter of Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) has awarded Winnebago County Communications dispatcher Ashley Egesdal 2019-2020 Telecommunicator of the Year. Ashley was nominated for her excellence in handling the multiple injury...
Local dispatchers honored with National Telecommunicators Week (TX)
If you ask the women and men who answer nearly 250 million calls to 911 each year about their remarkable work, they’ll probably tell you they’re just doing their job. But the truth is they’re helping to save many lives every day. That’s why, for nearly 40 years,...
‘They’re heroes in my mind’: Local dispatchers recognized for their integral role in public safety during National Public Safety Telecommunications Week (OK)
Long hours, chaos and stress are some of the defining characteristics of a dispatcher’s daily job. For the most part, these individuals remain behind the scenes at computer monitors but this week they are being recognized for their hard work and dedication. National...
Former Murray 911 dispatcher pleads guilty (GA)
A Murray County 911 dispatcher who was fired for illegally tracing a vehicle license plate number while on duty pleaded guilty to felony computer invasion of privacy in Superior Court on Wednesday. Billie Jane Allen, 33, of 356 W. Walnut St., was arrested on June 15,...
911 center adds new tech (TN)
With the introduction of texting to Loudon County E-911 Center, residents have another way to get help in an emergency. “The state of Tennessee has been working on the Next Generation 9-1-1 platform, which will allow 911 districts to receive text messages, eventually...
Las Vegas will go gold this week to honor dispatchers (NV)
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Parts of Las Vegas will be shining gold this week to honor local telecommunicators, also known as dispatchers, during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. This week, from April 12-18, Las Vegas City Hall and lights on Main Street in...
911 operators remain on the front (NC)
LAURINBURG — Tele-communicators, also known as 911 operators, are often the unsung heroes and the “man behind the curtain.” However, the Scotland County Board of Commissioners has set out to change that. At its last meeting on April 6, the board made a resolution...
Recognizing the key role of Texoma’s 911 dispatchers (OK)
ADA, Okla. (KTEN) -- Emergency dispatchers are a crucial link between people who need help and first responders. That's why April 12-18 is National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. "I have so much appreciation for our dispatchers," said Pontotoc 911...
In the Midst of COVID-19, RapidDeploy Makes Virtualization of 9-1-1 Dispatch a Reality
RapidDeploy, in collaboration with Microsoft, enables PSAPs to maintain operations while telecommunicators work from the safety of their homes. A recent article published by The Hill stated that 90 percent of Americans are now voluntarily or involuntarily staying at...
Delaware State Police announce 2019 Trooper, Civilian Employee of the Year (DE)
At a ceremony held March 2, superintendent of the Delaware State Police, Col. Nathaniel McQueen Jr., announced the winners of the annual Trooper of the Year and Civilian of the Year awards. To help recognize the significance of the ceremony several distinguished...
Monroe County first responders honor dispatchers (IN)
A message from Tracy Hilburn, who is president of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International, reads, “Even though we are experiencing extremely challenging and unprecedented circumstances with the spread of the COVID-19 Virus, it remains...
Dispatcher ‘has a public servant’s heart’ (KY)
n the basement of Danville City Hall, there’s a large room behind a sturdy, locked door. Inside, the overhead fluorescent lights are dim, which is how the 911 call center dispatchers like it. The atmosphere is serene and quiet — until an alarm sounds and a dispatcher...
Transition to the new Public Safety Building and National Telecommunicator Week (ME)
Each year, the second full week of April is dedicated to the men and women who serve as public safety telecommunicators. This year we honor the often unsung heroes of public safety, our dispatchers, during the week of April 12-18. Every emergency that a police officer...
911 dispatcher finds anonymous note from nosy neighbor telling her to stay at home (CO)
CENTENARY, Colo. ((KDVR) – Heather Silchia always knew she wanted to serve the community. Raised by first responders, she thought that answering the phone when people called 911 would be a good way to continue this legacy. Lately, her work has been stressful,...
Open Forum: Thank an emergency dispatcher (VA)
This is National 911 Telecommunicators Week 911 is the gateway to access for emergency services. At all hours of the day or night, a citizen or visitor to Winchester or Frederick County calls 911 to get help from fire-rescue, sheriff’s office, city police or animal...
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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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