Top Comm Center Headlines
News & Articles
County officials discuss operations, communications contingency plan (ME)
FARMINGTON - Meeting via a teleconference call, county commissioners and other officials discussed how the novel coronavirus would impact county operations moving forward and approved a contingency plan for the Franklin County Regional Communications Center. Franklin...
Why emotional intelligence matters in the emergency communications center
The work of emergency communications personnel is emotionally charged. Whether it’s working with callers, field units or fellow coworkers, the emotional dimension is often the most individually impactful, yet also the most overlooked. In fact, a career in public...
Some recent retirees asked to come back to work (UT)
SALT LAKE CITY — Some recently retired workers are being called on to help. Governor Gary Herbert issued an executive order that lifts limits on retired government workers so they can return to essential positions needed right now. [...] The department is looking for...
Telus Mobility restores 9-1-1 service, blames equipment failure (Canada)
Equipment failure — and not increased demand— was blamed for the latest service disruption to Telus Mobility customers. On Tuesday morning, Telus experienced an equipment failure that caused a service interruption in parts of Western Canada affecting wireless services...
COVID-19 crisis challenging public-safety communications on many levels, speakers say
In addition to a multitude of well-chronicled policy, staffing and supply challenges facing the health-care sector amid the COVID-19 crisis, the outbreak is forcing agencies to consider atypical measures to ensure the health of public-safety communications systems and...
MAYOR LIGHTFOOT URGES RESIDENTS TO USE SMART911 TO PROVIDE CRITICAL INFORMATION TO ASSIST FIRST RESPONDERS AMID COVID-19 OUTBREAK (IL)
To better assist first responders responding to emergencies during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) Executive Director Rich Guidice today urged Chicago’s residents to...
Madisonville PD dispatcher graduates from DCJT (KY)
MADISONVILLE, Ky. (3/28/20) — Madisonville Police Department dispatcher Kaleb M. White is among 22 law enforcement dispatchers who graduated Wednesday from the Public Safety Dispatch Academy at the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training. The graduates hail...
‘Somebody has to be there to answer that 9-1-1 call’: emergency dispatchers continue serving the public during COVID-19 pandemic (CA)
Emergency dispatch has never been more essential. With mandates requiring tens of thousands of city residents to remain indoors in attempts to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the staff at the Santa Barbara Police Department’s Public Safety Dispatch Center continue...
Senate COVID-19 relief package does not address T-Band repeal, 911 items
U.S. senators unanimously approved a $2.2 trillion COVID-19 relief package late Wednesday, but the legislation does not include language that would repeal a mandate to auction T-Band spectrum or address 911-related issues that have been prioritized by public-safety...
The role of the public safety telecommunicator in COVID-19 response
When public health emergencies threaten our communities and pose special challenges, like the current COVID-19 pandemic, the first responder family, including law enforcement, fire, EMS and 9-1-1 telecommunicators, must prepare their response. In addition to...
Balancing patient privacy and public safety (OR)
EOC plans to request people who test positive for COVID-19 sign waivers to allow release of information to dispatch and law enforcement The Grant County Health Department plans to ask those who test positive for the new coronavirus to voluntarily share that...
COPING WITH COVID-19 Best Practices for Fire/EMS
As Fire, EMS and other first responders work around the clock to assess and mitigate the COVID-19 spread nationwide, we stand with you. And we’re here to help. Join us this Thursday to learn directly from first responders on the front lines about how they’re handling...
Coping with COVID-19 Best Practices for L.E.
As law enforcement and other first responders work around the clock to assess and mitigate the COVID-19 spread nationwide, we stand with you. And we’re here to help. Join us this Friday to learn from other first responders about how they’re handling patient engagement...
Enterprises need to meet E911 compliance for teleworkers
The recent coronavirus global pandemic has led to organizations rapidly instituting telework programs or, in some cases, mandating it. With an increasing number of employees now working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, how can IT leaders ensure teleworkers...
Detroit Police Department 911 dispatcher dead of coronavirus (MI)
Detroit, Michigan, USA – 2016: A Detroit Police car parked in front of the Renaissance Center, world headquarters for GM in downtown Detroit. A man who worked for the Detroit Police Department’s Emergency 911 system has died from the coronavirus, officials said...
Medics getting a heads up from dispatchers (MI)
Even before first responders arrive on the scene, a 911 dispatcher will determine if a possible exposure risk to coronavirus exists. Dispatchers at Monroe County Central Dispatch are asking more questions to determine if patients in need of medical help might have...
Arkansas Division of Emergency Management urging families to sign up for Smart911 during coronavirus pandemic (AR)
The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management is urging families statewide to sign up for Smart911 to enable coronavirus awareness for 9-1-1 and emergency responders. Smart 911 is a free service allowing people to submit their personal medical information to...
Hendersonville, Sumner County declare states of emergencies (TN)
Hendersonville Mayor Jamie Clary and Sumner County Mayor Anthony Holt joined several other city and county mayors on Friday in declaring separate state of emergencies in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed an emergency declaration on...
Johnson City courthouse renovation project survives state budget cuts (TN)
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — Five-million dollars in state funds proposed to renovate a historic courthouse in Johnson City survived the last round of cuts as lawmakers rushed to pass a state budget amid concerns about the coronavirus. Members of the Tennessee General...
Podcast: Kari’s Law and NG 911 Update
911 calls are more important than ever. Public Safety Access Points (PSAP) need to evolve with the use of VoIP and mobile devices. You can have one phone number that is assigned to a cell phone, wireline phone, tablet, and laptop. Knowing where that device is when...
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.