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Fire Dispatch: Dispatcher Wellness: An Overlooked Concern

Firefighter fitness is a high priority. After all, firefighters might be called upon at any time to raise an unwieldy ladder, drag a heavy hose or rescue an injured citizen. These activities will occur while they wear 50 lbs. or more of gear and operate under...

Call, Push, Shock. The motto that’s saving lives (MD)

GAITHERSBURG, Md. (WDVM) — Call, Push, Shock. It’s a phrase that’s easy to remember, and it saves lives. Call, Push, Shock is a new national collaborative movement with a simple mission, to motivate bystander CPR/AED action and increase sudden cardiac arrest survival....

911 dispatcher arrested for child porn (PA)

Middle Smithfield Township (WNEP) — Richard Feely is behind bars on child porn charges. According to court paperwork he was busted by his own family. His adult stepson was visiting his parents for Christmas at their home near Marshalls Creek. He needed to print a...

Make 2020 Your Year to Learn and Grow

[Originally published in the January/February 2020 PSC magazine.]
It’s popular to start the new year with resolutions, but it’s also common to break those resolutions after a few weeks or months. One of the latest alternatives is to try something new every month, which, aside from avoiding that new year’s resolution pressure, offers the opportunity to meet new people, learn about yourself and expose yourself to new ideas. Trying new things regularly can help you grow as a person, boost your confidence level and expand your perspective on life in general.
If you want to give it a try this year, we have some suggestions for you.
January – Attend an APCO webinar. They are free for members and usually offer one CEU whether you log on to the live webinar or listen to the recording. There’s one on APCO Standards on January 22. Check out the full schedule at apcointl.org/webinars.
February – Apply for an APCO scholarship that provides members with funds for professional development and career advancement. The deadline to apply is March 31. Learn more at apcointl.org/scholarships.
March – Nominate someone you work with for APCO’s PSAP or Technology Leadership Awards before the deadline of April 1. Award recipients get a fully paid trip to APCO 2020, APCO’s Annual Conference & Expo, including registration, travel expenses and hotel accommodations. Learn more at apcointl.org/awards.
April – Celebrate National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW) in a new way. Organize an open house or contact your city’s government to declare April 12-18 NSPTW in your town. Check out other ideas at npstw.org.
May – Join us for Nexus (May 21-22), an interactive, immersive experience of diverse scenarios handled the way they will be in the ECC of the future. Learn more and register at apconexus.org.
June – Check out what’s new on APCO’s website, apcointl.org. Hint: it might be a lot.
July – Take a “vacation” from trying new things and use the time to appreciate your family, friends and colleagues.
August – Volunteer at APCO 2020 taking place August 2-5 in Orlando and get one day pass for every four hours worked. To get the day pass, you must sign up to volunteer before registering for the conference. More information will be on apco2020.org in the spring.
September – Start the “school year” by signing up to volunteer on a workgroup developing new APCO standards or revising existing ones. Learn more at apcointl.org/standards.
October – Renew your membership early so you won’t have to worry about missing out on all the benefits of membership. Renew online at myapcointl.org/invoices.
November – Organize a team of friends or co-workers to give thanks by giving back to your community.
December – Pat yourself on the back for undertaking a year of new experiences that improved you, your job, your comm center and your community.

GFD training four new emergency medical dispatchers (Guam)

For the past several weeks, training has been ongoing for new emergency medical dispatchers. Guam Fire Department Chief Daniel Stone said currently there are four new EMDs."The training consists of several certifications that they'll be going through, just training...

Monroe County Dispatcher Arrested for Child Porn (PA)

MIDDLE SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Richard Feely is behind bars on child porn charges. According to court paperwork he was busted by his own family. His adult stepson was visiting his parents for Christmas at their home near Marshalls Creek. He needed to print a...

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.


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