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911 operator shortage plagues Citrus (FL)
“911, what’s your emergency?” The emergency in this case is at the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center where there is a shortage of communication officers, officials say. The trend is nationwide says April Heinze with the National Emergency Number...
FirstNet suffers data-service outage in southeast U.S.
Data service for some FirstNet users was interrupted Thursday morning, but the issue was resolved, according to FirstNet contractor AT&T, which indicated that it is investigating the cause of the outage. “Early this morning, data service was affected for some...
Next Generation 911 (NG911) (MT)
Because most 911 systems were originally built using analog rather than digital technologies, Public Safety Answering Points, PSAPs (dispatch centers) across the country need to be upgraded to a digital or Internet Protocol (IP)-based 911 system, commonly referred to...
City phasing in next-generation 911 service (Canada)
For decades, dialing 911 and speaking with an operator has been the standard way to call for help. Winnipeg police are now preparing for the day when people can send for help by text message or video as well. With the proliferation of mobile devices capable of...
Alyssa’s Law requiring panic alarms in schools moves forward with major changes (FL)
Legislation requiring panic alarms in public and charter schools throughout the state underwent major changes Thursday after a strike-all amendment in the House. Members voted to remove a requirement that a single, uniform system be installed in all schools. The...
Annual Clearlake Police Department report shows drop in key crime numbers, new PSAP (CA)
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – For the second year in a row, the city of Clearlake has seen double-digit decreases in serious crime, and it’s also now seeing the lowest property crime numbers in 35 years. [...] The agency’s big accomplishment, White said, is becoming a public...
Multi-town emergency communications center proposed (MA)
PEPPERELL – Three towns in the western Nashoba Valley area are looking to have one location overseeing all its emergency calls. Pepperell, Ashby and Townsend are collaborating to establish a joint Regional Emergency Communications Center in town. The center was...
9-1-1 Dispatchers advised to ask additional questions regarding Coronavirus (SC)
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Government officials in Charleston are taking precautionary steps to mitigate the risks and impacts of COVID-19 in the Lowcountry. Charleston County Emergency Management, along with partners, first responders, and health officials in the...
LEGISLATION WOULD DO AWAY WITH CMRS BOARD, RAISE PHONE RATES (MS)
A board that controls millions of dollars in emergency communications funds could soon be on its way out. Lawmakers are considering SB 2746, the Mississippi Emergency Communications Authority Act. The bill would do away with the Commercial Mobile Radio Services (CMRS)...
Douglas police comfort pooch is ‘Good Morning America’s’ Pet of the Week (MA)
DOUGLAS, Mass. — A special, adorable guest from Douglas appeared Friday on "Good Morning America." Finn, the Douglas Police Department's comfort K-9 was selected as "GMA's" Pet of the Week. Douglas Police Dispatcher Hanna Furno, Chief Nick Miglionico and Officer Brett...
Utah Creates Surveillance Panopticon By Giving Data To Private AI Company (UT)
Banjo is applying artificial intelligence to government-owned surveillance and traffic cameras across the entire state of Utah to tell police about “anomalies.” The state of Utah has given an artificial intelligence company real-time access to state traffic cameras,...
Mom and baby meet dispatcher who helped with DeBary gas station birth (FL)
The family was driving from DeBary to a hospital in Altamonte Springs about 4 a.m. Monday when the baby decided he wasn’t waiting. The father, Jonas Wonder, pulled into a gas station at 399 S. Charles R. Beall Blvd. in DeBary and called 9-1-1. The Wonder’s other two...
Dispatchers near crisis mode as they fight for raises (WY)
Raises pitched to avert 911 staffing crisis. A 12-person task force has come up with six ideas they think could guarantee functional 911 services in Teton County well into the future. Town councilors and county commissioners heard the pitch at Monday’s joint...
FirstNet cell site Launches in Lake Providence (LA)
LAKE PROVIDENCE — First responders in the East Carroll Parish area are getting a major boost in their wireless communications with the addition of a new, purpose-built cell site. The site — located in Lake Providence — is part of the Plus, the new FirstNet site will...
Silent 9-1-1 Call Sparks Winter Haven Police Response (FL)
WINTER HAVEN, FL — A silent 9-1-1 call sparked a police response at a Winter Haven apartment complex Wednesday night when a dispatcher heard glass breaking over the phone. "The caller was not speaking and the call taker heard glass breaking," according to Jamie Brown...
MACo Supports Next Steps Toward NG911 (MD)
MACo Associate Director Kevin Kinnally this week testified in support of HB 934 (CF SB 838) – Public Safety – 9-1-1 Emergency Telephone System before the House Ways and Means Committee. This bill will help Maryland continue its move toward Next Generation 9-1-1...
Sumter County selects CenturyLink to deliver new 911 system (FL)
Sumter County has selected CenturyLink Inc. to deliver a new 911 system that will modernize the county’s emergency call management system to a Next Generation 911platform. The new NG911 system will support enhanced communication capabilities, such as the ability to...
When will DC 911 ever learn there are two Florida & R intersections in the Nation’s Capital? (DC)
On February 24, I tweeted (above) that DC 911 sent two different ambulances on what were likely the same EMS runs because call takers and dispatchers are unaware the intersection of Florida Avenue and R Street exists at two different locations in Northwest Washington....
New radio system in QCA will improve first responder communication (IA)
DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) - A new radio system is coming to the Quad Cities, improving coverage in the area and communication between first responders. TV6 spoke to the Director of the Scott Emergency Communications Center, Dave Donovan. He said the new system creates...
Fannin County Dispatchers receive awards (TX)
Tamela Collins and Ronald Sadler of the Fannin County 911 Dispatch Office both received awards February 27, at the 9-1-1 Telecommunications Banquet for their outstanding work. Tamela received the Silent Hero Award and Ronald received the Life-Saving Award as well as...
UPCOMING EVENTREGISTER>
The Inaugural Howard C. Liebengood Foundation Symposium: The Evolving Law Enforcement Landscape & the First Responder Mental Health Crisis
Wednesday, September 30 to Thursday, October 1, 2026
Law enforcement is operating in one of the most demanding environments in modern history. Shifting public expectations, critical incidents, and ongoing organizational pressures have reshaped the profession, and the impact on officer health and agency stability has never been greater. This inaugural symposium convenes law enforcement leaders, mental health and health care experts, researchers, and bipartisan policymakers to explore practical, evidence-informed solutions. Grounded in research and lived experience, this symposium focuses on translating knowledge into action.
Over two days, participants will examine the evolving policing landscape, confront the profession’s mental health crisis—including elevated rates of suicide, PTSD, depression, and anxiety—and identify strategies to strengthen resilience, crisis response, and organizational leadership.
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
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