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Junction City EMS Uses FirstNet in Local, Regional, and National Response
By Brent Williams, Senior EMS Advisor, First Responder Network Authority
Junction City Fire Department’s EMS services a rural, Midwest community in Kansas, which presents some communication challenges. To address these challenges, Junction City Fire Department uses FirstNet, whether for long distance transports to the nearest trauma facility, coordinating regional recovery efforts after a tornado, or deploying across the country to respond to a national disaster.
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Neal recognized with 911 service award
Marshall County Judge-Executive Kevin Neal traveled to Washington, D.C., last week as one of eight individuals and organizations recognized for their contributions to providing a better 911 service and support for dispatchers. Wes Wright, Next Generation 911 (NG911)...
City of Longview urges residents to sign up for Smart911 alert system (TX)
LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) - The City of Longview is urging residents to sign up for its new emergency alert system. Smart911 launched Feb. 15 and replaces the old CodeRED system. Residents who were signed up with the old system must opt in with the Smart911 system. City...
NG911 Institute Announces 911 Honor Award Winners
The Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) is pleased to announce that their Integrated Services Program (ISP) won the Outstanding 911 Call Center/Program award. The Next Generation 911 Institute (NG911 Institute) announced the winners of the 17th...
Manatee County Emergency Communications Center gets new 911 software
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - In an emergency, time is of the essence, but if you call 911 in Manatee County, you can count on a new program that will help first responders get to you faster than ever before. It’s thanks to a new, first-of-its-kind state grant that was just...
Emergency Services Dispatcher Job in IWAKUNI, JAPAN
Overview Open & closing dates: Opening and closing dates 02/21/2020 to 03/09/2020Service: CompetitivePay scale & grade: GS 5Salary: $30,113 to $39,149 per yearAppointment type: PermanentWork schedule: Full-Time...
Accomack Moves 2021 Budget to Hearing
The Accomack County Board of Supervisors voted to advertise public hearings for the fiscal year 2021 budget and the tax rate, after making changes to provide for the first year of costs associated with a regional public safety radio communications system. [...] A...
Op-Ed: A conundrum — What will happen to FirstNet in Puerto Rico?
With the proposed sale of AT&T to Liberty Puerto Rico the Federal Communications Commission has to consider not only the inherent commercial elements of this transaction. They must also evaluate how does that transaction affect the public safety/emergency...
Shawnee emergency dispatcher wins award
Julie Daniels, an emergency telecommunicator with the Shawnee Police Department, was recently recognized by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch™ (IAED®) for her exemplary efforts in responding to a 911 call. The IAED reports it has awarded Daniels with...
Fishbones for the TN NG911 Address Server (TN)
If you’ve played in the address space any length of time you’ve heard of fishbones – and that is simply drawing a line from the address point to it’s “spot on the street”. Granted if you’ve ever done an addressing project from scratch (I had the joy to do that a few...
‘It needs to happen’; Indiana bill would classify 911 dispatchers as first responders
VIGO Co., Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) - According to Vigo county 911 director Vickie Oster, when there's an emergency her dispatchers are on the front lines. "We provide pre-arrival instructions for medical issues. We stay on the phone with people while somebody is breaking in...
Dallas Police Department’s online reporting system now available in Spanish (TX)
DALLAS — The Dallas Police Department has made its online reporting system available in Spanish. In a news release sent Wednesday, the department said it launched the new feature after high demand from the public. The Dallas Online Reporting System, also...
City of Longview urges residents to sign up for Smart911 alert system (TX)
LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) - The City of Longview is urging residents to sign up for its new emergency alert system. Smart911 launched Feb. 15 and replaces the old CodeRED system. Residents who were signed up with the old system must opt in with the Smart911 system. City...
Move-in date for new Wexford County Central Dispatch facility quickly approaching (MI)
CADILLAC — With less than a month before the target date of March 15, Wexford County 911/Central Dispatch Director Duane Alworden said that it is still the goal for when dispatchers can move to and start working in the new Fawcett Communications Center. In front of a...
Towering far above the city: New Communications Tower Scotland Communications Center (NC)
The new tower is located at the Scotland County Emergency Operations Center on West Boulevard. The county partnered with Verizon Wireless and NC Highway Patrol on funding to construct the new tower complex and put it into use. Verizon Wireless is funding the new tower...
Walden proposes bill prioritizing federal funds for nation’s 9-1-1 system
U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), ranking member of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, this week unveiled legislation to ensure America’s first responders have the resources to respond to 9-1-1 calls and to clarify acceptable 9-1-1 obligations or expenditures....
Reading Police Communications Center to undergo renovations and move to the Berks County Courthouse (PA)
The Reading Police Communications Center in City Hall, the office on the first floor where residents go to file a complaint or speak with an officer, will close next month as it undergoes renovations. “It’s undergoing a major renovation of the entire physical space...
South Sound 911 Board of Directors announce Executive Director finalists (WA)
South Sound 911’s Board of Directors executive recruitment committee announced today that five candidates are advancing as finalists for the position of executive director. The five candidates advancing in the selection process are: Mark Buchholz, Director, Willamette...
Why is 911 the emergency call number? (WA)
WASHINGTON — It has been drilled into our heads since childhood: "Dial 911 for emergencies!" But why is that the number for emergencies in the United States? You have to go back to the early stages of telephone use. The 20th century started out with telegraphs...
Consolidating fire department calls, changes to dispatch to be main focus of special Peoria council meeting (IL)
Tuesday night Missouri based consulting firm Fitch & Associates is presenting their findings from a five year survey. [...] In terms of dispatch, Fitch is recommending they upgrade from a “paper card system” to electronic software that could cost almost $...
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.
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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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