Top Comm Center Headlines
News & Articles
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...
RCSO Dispatcher of the Year: Jenny Mathias (TN)
(MURFREESBORO) As National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week ends, local Communications Dispatcher Jenny Mathias was selected the 2020 Dispatcher of the Year for the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office. She was chosen based on her expertise to help locate two...
Divided City Council moves ahead with limiting emergency calls (NY)
Under the change, county dispatchers will follow Emergency Management Dispatch protocol to ask a caller a series of questions before determining the level of response. Dispatchers have been automatically sending out either the rescue truck or a fire engine, whichever...
Cates named Dispatcher of the Year (CA)
ELMA – The Selma Police Department announced that Lacie Cates has been named as its 2019 Dispatcher of the Year. In a post on social media, the SPD reported that Cates has been with their department for nearly two years and has previously served as emergency...
Will County dispatchers complain of safety concerns at 911 center (IL)
Union representatives complained that fumes from a generator at the Laraway Communications Center caused dispatchers to become dizzy and nauseated three times in the past several months. The incidents occurred when a diesel-powered backup generator in the building...
Brookline police, fire departments celebrate National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (MA)
Police Chief Andrew Lipson and Fire Chief John Sullivan recognized the town’s public safety dispatchers during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, sponsored each year by APCO International, honors the thousands...
FirstNet SurveyTAKE SURVEY>
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.
Understanding Operational Challenges that should Drive FirstNet Investment
Questions about coverage in your state?
FirstNet Advisors
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
Subscribe to Comm Center News
Get the latest News, Articles, and Insights from AllThingsECC.com weekly in our newsletter.
PARTNERS
Stay Up to Date With The Latest News & Updates
Share Your Story
Join our community to share your experience and connect and collaborate with colleagues.
Join Our Newsletter
Get the latest News, Articles, and Insights from AllThingsECC.com weekly in our newsletter.
Follow Us
Stay connected with the latestEmergency Communications News, Articles & Information.



