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911 call that led to operator’s suspension for refusing to send help to dying man released (OH)
CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Local 12 now has the 911 call that led to the suspension of a 911 operator following her refusal to send help to a dying man. READ MORE
Sheriff makes impassioned plea for help with dispatch center staffing (WY)
JACKSON, Wyo. — A task force assigned to present solutions to a near-crisis shortage of staffing at the Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center met with elected officials Monday to explore options. READ MORE
OUTDATED 9-1-1 SYSTEM PUTS LIVES IN DANGER (PA)
Some 911 systems across the country were designed before the use of cell phones and the outdated technology makes some centers unable to accurately pinpoint a caller's location. To see video READ MORE
N.C. 1st responder family beats cancer twice as little girl rings the bell (NC)
CLAYTON, N.C. (WNCN) — A family of first responders from Clayton, North Carolina is celebrating two big wins against cancer. Both Christina and Duane McKay are firefighters for the Archer Lodge Fire Department. Christina is also an emergency dispatcher. In...
Whitley County dispatcher graduates from Public Safety Dispatch Academy (KY)
A total of 19 law enforcement dispatchers graduated Friday from the Public Safety Dispatch Academy at the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT), including Anthony W. Christie, who works at the Whitley County E-911 Communications Center. The...
Cedar Rapids emergency responders start enhanced screening to prepare for Coronavirus outbreak (IA)
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) Cedar Rapids has started initiating several plans to prepare for the potential spread of COVID-19. Local emergency responders say they’ve started enhanced screening as a precaution. "Every 911 call that comes into the dispatch that is medical...
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...
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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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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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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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