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LONGEST-SERVING DISPATCHER IN JENKS RETIRING AFTER 46 YEARS ON THE JOB (OK)
A Jenks man is retiring after working as a dispatcher for the Jenks police department for 46 years. Bruce Parker is the longest-serving dispatcher in the department's history. He said he was born and raised in Jenks, and it's been an honor to serve his...
97 D.C. neighborhood leaders urge change in city response to 911 calls
Nearly 100 neighborhood representatives in D.C. signed a letter sent to city leaders Tuesday decrying the operations at the city’s 911 center and calling for more transparency. “These chronic problems have diminished residents’ faith in our city’s emergency response...
Lee Commissioners award contract for Emergency Operations Center expansion (FL)
The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to award a contract for a two-story, 36,873 square-foot addition to the existing Emergency Operations Center at 2675 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers.
‘A critical service’: Nebraska lawmaker concerned over 2 major 911 outages just days apart
A Nebraska senator says he has concerns about the state's infrastructure after two separate 911 outages disrupted critical emergency services for 12 hours each. READ FULL ARTICLE
‘Our hearts are aching in here’: Colville dispatch center serves critical role in fighting wildfires like Oregon Road, Gray fires (WA)
While the Oregon Road and Gray fires were ripping through Spokane County, a team of dispatchers in Colville were coordinating air and ground resources to the blazes. The Northeast Washington Interagency Communications Center dispatches state and federal agencies,...
Carrollton and Neighboring Cities Introduce Livestream 911 Calls (TX)
The minutes a 911 caller spends on the phone with an operator are often filled with frenzy and uncertainty. Attempts to describe an emergency can easily leave out key details that would help first responders know exactly what they’re responding to. A handful of North...
NHC 911 center technology helped law enforcement quickly find shooting scene, suspect (NC)
NEW HANOVER COUNTY – Nearly a dozen calls from a recent shooting shared vital information with the New Hanover County 911 center. “There were shots fired, there’s a woman tied up,” one caller said.
Oakland police have a year to speed up 911 response times — and a lot to lose if they don’t (CA)
OAKLAND — The Oakland Police Department has one year to speed up its notoriously slow emergency response times, California officials have warned, or the city risks losing important state funding — and even the authority to answer 911 calls at all. Most...
North Texas 911 center adds video option for emergency calls
A North Texas 911 center is offering a service during emergency calls that no other agency is offering. Dispatchers at the North Texas Emergency Communications Center are not only ready to listen to your call for help, but they are prepared to watch your emergency as...
As repairs of the fiber cut start, tribal government declares an emergency in light of … (AK)
North Slope’s tribal organization asked for federal help with the response to the internet and cell outages that hurt several Arctic communities this summer after the fiber cable was damaged. An undersea fiber optic line was severed by the sea ice on June 10, leading...
First for Fairfax County 9-1-1 (VA)
On Saturday, Aug. 26, Fairfax County's Department of Public Safety Communications, also known as 9-1-1, held its first Public Safety Day Open House. Fairfax County 9-1-1 is Virginia's largest public safety answering point and is recognized nationally for its...
COVID-19 hits emergency call center (KY)
LEXINGTON, Ky. — COVID-19 is still here, according to health officials, and it’s touching homes, school systems, and now an emergency response center in Lexington. Lexington’s health department is reporting a significant uptick in confirmed COVID cases...
Collier County Sheriff’s Office communication team deployed to aid Hurricane recovery (FL)
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has authorized a communications team to assist with hurricane recovery in northern Florida. Justin Koval, the communications technical manager, and Ricardo Garcia-Jimenez, the communications radio equipment technician are going to...
Knox County dispatch closure sparks concerns about emergency response delays (ME)
Knox County 911 calls are now being answered somewhere else. Since January, the Knox County Regional Communications Center has had four employees, when it should have 13. Rockport Fire Chief Jason Peasley said low pay and poor working conditions are to blame. “We have...
County to finish repairs on E-911 center after lightning strike to tower (IN)
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Two months after lightning directly hit the Bartholomew County E911 Emergency Management Center tower, the subsequent damage is still not completely fixed. But funds have been approved to make permanent repairs. The early morning lightning strike on...
Clark County and City of Springfield honor fallen deputies with new shared 911 Communications Center (OH)
On Friday, August 25, Clark County and City of Springfield officials dedicated the new Clark County 911 Communications Center in memory of Deputy Suzanne Hopper, and the 911 Training Center in memory of Deputy Matthew Yates. READ FULL ARTICLE
Representatives call for creation of federal grant program for 911 dispatchers (D.C.)
WASHINGTON — Rep. Norma J. Torres, D-CA, a former 911 dispatcher, led a bipartisan letter with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-PA; and Congressional NextGen 911 Caucus Co-Chairs Anna Eshoo, D-CA; and Richard Hudson, R-NC; calling on the National Telecommunications and...
Arizona law expands paid counseling to emergency dispatchers
PHOENIX — The way Melody Hernandez sees it, the trauma incurred by those taking emergency calls from people in crisis and dispatching help is no less than what occurs for her as a paramedic. Only thing is, state law did not require that 911 dispatchers get access to...
911 overview presented to Floyd County Fiscal Court (KY)
The Prestonsburg/Floyd County Emergency Communications Center, which came under fire following the murder of Amber Spradlin in June, was put in a more positive light during the Floyd County Fiscal Court’s regular meeting Aug. 16. Prestonsburg Interim Police Chief Ross...
MEMS dispatcher dies from injuries sustained in Saturday shooting (AR)
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Officials with the Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services in Little Rock said a dispatcher who was shot Saturday has now died. MEMS officials said Dispatcher Casandra Peña-Romero died Wednesday from the injuries she sustained in the shooting on...
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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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