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An ECC Director’s Thoughts on the Pandemic Response
By Jason Kern CPE, RPL, ENP, COML April 8, 2020 Being charged with running an Emergency Communications Center in 2020 has proven to be one of the most challenging things I’ve done in my public safety journey which dates back to 1991. I’m a planner and I...
ECCs Will Postpone, Alter, Celebrate NPSTW 2020
Next week, April 12-18, is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, and emergency communications centers are divided about how or whether they are celebrating. Our research shows that many are postponing all or most of their celebration due to COVID-19. Even those continuing to recognize the week have had to defer some parts of their celebration, such as awards banquets, open houses and in-person recognition from the first responders they support. The reasons behind each decision are complicated, and there is no right or wrong, just adjusting to the current situation and doing what is best for each particular agency. For…
911 call centers have enough capacity so far, but upgrades are delayed (NY)
The nation’s emergency phone systems are proving resilient during the coronavirus pandemic, even in regions where call volume is surging, according to survey results of 911 call-center operators released Monday. But experts also warned that delays to...
Lunch Provided to 9-1-1 Center Staff (AL)
Huguley - Local civic clubs, businesses, ad restaurants are continuing to treat hospital workers, first responders, and 9-1-1 dispatchers with free lunches. On Tuesday, the Valley Lions Club bought lunch for the employees of the Chambers County communications center....
Charleston County urging residents to sign up for ‘Smart911’ (SC)
CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCIV) — The Charleston County Consolidated 9-1-1 Center is urging people to sign up for a national safety profile registry called 'Smart911.' Individuals can create a Smart911 Safety Profile for their household...
Butler County 911 Center Creates Backup Dispatch Locations (PA)
Butler County Emergency Services is preparing for the possibility that someone working in the 911 Dispatch Center becomes ill with COVID-19. The alternate stations are located in the meeting room and two offices at the County’s Emergency Services’ Butler Township...
Public safety heroes: Marianne Hill (VA)
After a bus filled with children caught fire in an accident on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge last year, first responders rushed to the scene. But not all heroes of the moment were on the bridge that day. Marianne Hill, a veteran dispatcher with the Richmond...
“First” first responders deserve recognition (VA)
To the Editor: As we approach National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 12-18, 2020, I’m inviting community members to take pause to appreciate our “first” First Responders. These are the specialists who help us when we dial 911 for emergency service. At a...
Public Safety: Future of Dispatch, Technology Trends
Next-generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) promises to provide public safety agencies with more robust multimedia information in the form of voice calls, text messages, data, photos and video that can be used to provide first responders with the information they need most....
First responders say SCDHEC database doesn’t meet needs (SC)
LANCASTER COUNTY, S.C. (WBTV) - For weeks, officials in all 46 South Carolina counties asked the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control to give them a secure database. The database was expected to be filled with addresses of people who tested...
House Dems include NG911 funding in future infrastructure proposal
House Democrats this week revealed that federal funding to support the nationwide deployment of IP-based next-generation 911 (NG911) technology is included in their proposal for a future coronavirus rescue legislation that places an emphasis on infrastructure...
April is 9-1-1 Education Month (CT)
National 911 Education Month Prepares Americans for Emergencies Stratford, CT – The month of April is National 911 Education Month. Stratford Public Safety Communications Center will be periodically putting out information to help the public better understand...
Monroeville volunteer firefighter/dispatcher assaulted, sent inappropriate messages to 14-year-old girl, police say (PA)
MONROEVILLE, Pa. — A Monroeville volunteer firefighter and emergency dispatcher turned himself into Allegheny County Police on Thursday for allegedly assaulting and sending inappropriate messages to a 14-year-old girl. The victim reported Gregory Lauffer, 23, to...
Show appreciation for telecommunicators (NC)
As we approach National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 12-18, I’m inviting community members to take pause to appreciate our “first” first responders. These are the specialists who help us when we dial 911 for emergency service. At a time of panic and...
Athens police postpone 911 Center assessment (GA)
The Athens-Clarke County Police Department was scheduled to host an on-site assessment team this week for its goal of national accreditation for its communication division, but that effort has been moved into May. The assessor for the Commission on Accreditation for...
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...
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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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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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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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