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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...
Huron County’s Dispatchers work from behind the lines to save lives (MI)
HURON COUNTY — When someone calls for Huron County emergency services, they speak with a dispatcher located in their Bad Axe office to either talk them through a situation or call the police or fire department. Those people on the other end of the line go through a...
Wrentham turns to internet, phones to keep town operating
WRENTHAM -- Email, phones and the internet have become the mode of keeping the town’s operations going in the midst of the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis. In an effort to help slow the spread of the virus, “and to promote the practice of social distancing,” all of the...
DeKalb 911 Presents Telecommunicator Commendations
Two 911 Communicator shift partners of the DeKalb Emergency Communications District have been commended for their exemplary performance in handling an influx of emergency and non-emergency calls on a night of heavy rain and flooding last month. Stephanee Wright and...
Abused woman calls 911 to order pizza, dispatcher plays along to outplay her abuser
Tim Tenyeck’s day at work as a 911 dispatcher took a sudden turn when a women called with a weird question. She wanted to order pizza and he quickly realized that she must’ve dialed the wrong number. But the woman on the other side, Tiffany Urban, had done...
New Director Heston Silbert takes over Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZ)
PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) – The Arizona Department of Public Safety is now lead by Col. Heston Silbert. Officials with the department confirmed Thursday that Silbert has officially taken over in the role as director of DPS. The former director, Col. Frank Milstead will...
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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.
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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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