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‘It’s hard to be here on Christmas’: Dispatchers, police officers spend holiday at work (UT)
KEARNS, Utah — It’s not easy to leave your loved ones and spend a holiday at work. When your job is to help others, the office never closes. The Salt Lake Valley Emergency Communications Center (VECC) looked a little different Wednesday. Dispatchers wore pajamas,...
Idaho dispatchers receive award for work during Fourth of July shooting (ID)
KOOTENAI CO., Idaho - Several 911 dispatchers with Idaho's Central Dispatch Center received an award on Monday for their work during the Fourth of July shooting in Coeur d'Alene over the summer. They were presented the Idaho Public Safety Communications Team of the...
Bradford Councillor named Emergency Medical Dispatcher of the year (England)
A BRADFORD Councillor who is also an Emergency Medical Dispatcher from Yorkshire Ambulance Service has been awarded EMD of the Year. Aneela Ahmed, who represents the City ward, was given the award by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch as part...
Volunteer voices. Helderberg Ambulance elects 2020 officers (NY)
The members of Helderberg Ambulance would like to wish all of the readers of The Altamont Enterprise a wonderful holiday season. The month of November was snowy, cold, and busy. We had 42 calls last month, which resulted in 28 transports. There were 24 medical calls,...
911 DISPATCHER WHO TOLD DROWNING WOMAN TO ‘SHUT UP’ BECAUSE SHE WAS ‘FREAKING OUT’ CLEARED OF WRONGDOING
A 911 dispatcher in Arkansas who was criticized for being callous when she told a drowning woman to "shut up" just before she died, was not negligent in carrying out her duties, an investigation has found. There was a public outcry after audio of Donna Reneau was...
THP Chattanooga captain resigns amid investigation into years-long affair with dispatcher (TN)
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WTVC)— The Tennessee Highway Patrol Captain who headed up the Chattanooga district office resigned suddenly earlier this month after investigators questioned him about an affair with a dispatcher. Audio recordings from the investigation obtained by...
Shawnee Township dispatchers have ugly sweater contest, donate funds (OH)
SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP — The Shawnee Township Police Department conducted an ugly sweater contest for a week, and dispatchers paid money each day for the privilege of participating. Members of the police department and administration also donated money to the cause, which...
Holmes County dispatcher helps deliver baby (FL)
HOLMES COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) — A 911 dispatcher, fire and EMS are being honored after assisting with delivering a baby Sunday morning. According to a post from the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, a woman called because her daughter was giving birth. 911 dispatcher Beth...
Ocean City Dispatcher Battling Cancer Gets Surprise Roof Repair (NJ)
OCEAN CITY, NJ — Anyone is lucky to have a roof over their head during the holidays. For Ocean City 911 dispatcher Amber Adoranto, that took on a different meaning. Adoranto has been battling breast cancer. On top of that, her Upper Township home needed a completely...
Schumer: Increased federal funding (NY)
JOHNSTOWN — U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer on Monday used the Johnstown Fire Department as a backdrop to announce $20 million in new federal aid he secured for New York state firefighters and first responders. “Next year, I’m going to fight for more,” Schumer stated. The...
PBSO dispatcher receives kidney from fellow dispatcher (FL)
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Sometimes, Christmas miracles do happen. A 911 dispatcher with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office got the news she will be receiving a life-saving gift. Jesselyn Mesa was diagnosed with Lupus in 2004, and in 2013 she began dialysis...
Bernalillo County emergency dispatchers expect to answer 400 calls on Christmas (NM)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.-- Operators at the Bernalillo County Emergency Communications Department are working around the clock, even on the holidays. They're the unsung heroes behind every phone call. "It can be extremely stressful at times. We work extreme amount of hours,"...
911 Dispatcher Who Told Woman To “Shut Up” Minutes Before Drowning Cleared of Wrongdoing (AR)
A former Arkansas 911 dispatcher was cleared of wrongdoing following accusations that she mishandled a call with a drowning woman, after telling her to “shut up” moments before her passing. Debra Stevens, 47, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, died after her SUV got stuck in a...
Details vital when calling 9-1-1 (TX)
The popularity of cell phones makes knowing where you are when you call for help even more important. Emergency responders need to know where to go...
Bradford Councillor named Emergency Medical Dispatcher of the year (England)
A BRADFORD Councillor who can be an Emergency Medical Dispatcher from Yorkshire Ambulance Service has been awarded EMD of the 12 months. Aneela Ahmed, who represents the Metropolis ward, was given the award by the Worldwide Academies of Emergency Dispatch as...
How to help emergency dispatchers, first responders during the holidays (NM)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.-- About 400 calls are expected to be made to the Bernalillo County Emergency Communications Department on Christmas. At least six dispatchers are ready to answer their calls. However, some callers still give dispatchers a hard time. An operator,...
Santa tracking offers holiday fun for Kettering Mobile Care dispatchers and families (OH)
KETTERING, Ohio (WDTN) – Dispatchers and employees at the Kettering Mobile Care Command Center are working through the holiday to keep patients in the Miami Valley safe and healthy. “We dispatch all of our ambulances here, we launch helicopters from here,” explained...
Allegan County dispatchers: Be on the lookout for Santa (MI)
ALLEGAN, Mich. — An annual tradition in Allegan County is continuing by dispatchers this Christmas. For the last several years, Allegan County has put out a 'be on the lookout' for Santa call over their police scanners. It's a tradition many children throughout the...
Penobscot County Dispatchers were keeping an eye out for Santa on Christmas Eve (ME)
BANGOR, Maine (WABI) - Penobscot County Dispatchers were keeping track of Santa Claus Christmas Eve night for all to hear. Calling out to all first responders in the area to help locate a man with white hair, a white beard, and riding a sleigh. "It's nice to be able...
Emergency dispatchers keep spirits high as they work Christmas Eve (IN)
Here at WSBT we aren't the only ones at work this Christmas eve. Firefighters, police and EMT's are still on the roads and their dispatch centers still need to be fully staffed. We took a look at how one dispatch center is celebrating tonight. One of the workers told...
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.
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Congress should reauthorize the FirstNet Authority now.
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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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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