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Comm board discusses dispatchers’ contract (IL)
MACOMB — The McDonough County Communications Board held a brief meeting on Tuesday to discuss the Fraternal Order of Police contract for the 911 dispatchers. The board went into executive session to discuss the terms of the contract. The board did not take any action...
PSAC meeting highlights 2019 accomplishments and 2020 initiatives
By Kenzie Capece, Senior Public Safety Advisor, First Responder Network Authority
Last week the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) held the bi-annual Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) meeting in Austin, Texas, bringing together more than 20 PSAC members. The FirstNet Authority leadership team also participated in the day-long meeting, including Board Members Paul Patrick, Mayor Billy Hewes, and Karima Holmes, as well as Executive Director Edward Parkinson and senior FirstNet Authority experts.
PSAC Chair Todd Early kicked off the meeting by recognizing PSAC members for their work in 2019 to ensure that first responders nationwide can access to FirstNet.
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Ottawa County dispatchers face discipline over handling of 911 call (MI)
OLIVE TWP. — An internal investigation found an incorrect classification of a 911 call was part of the “perfect storm” that delayed police response to a Spring Lake Township home where a father was killed. WOOD TV-8 reports the Ottawa County dispatcher who took...
NC Marine Patrol officers and dispatchers receive Division of Marine Fisheries’ Director’s Award of Excellence (NC)
Congratulations to the N.C. Marine Patrol officers and dispatchers who recently received the Division of Marine Fisheries’ Director’s Award of Excellence for their Hurricane Dorian recovery and support efforts in the aftermath of the storm! The Marine Patrol assisted...
Local 911 dispatchers undergo training (WV)
WILLIAMSON — On Friday, Dec. 6, Christopher Chapman, Paige Miller and Israel Varney, telecommunicators from Mingo County 911, successfully completed a APCO Emergency Medical Dispatcher course (EMD). Emergency Medical Dispatch is a systematic program of handling...
UPDATE | Lewis County loses student athlete and 911 dispatcher in deadly crash (WV)
LEWIS COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ) -- UPDATE 12/18/19 @ 3:50 p.m.More details have been released about a deadly accident Tuesday night that claimed the life of a Lewis County 911 dispatcher and her son, a 14-year-old student athlete. Jerrica Adkins, 33, and her son, Wesley...
Defiance woman chosen as 2019 Dispatcher of the Year (KY)
BOWLING GREEN — Amy M. Siler was chosen as the 2019 Dispatcher of the Year at the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Bowling Green Dispatch Center. Officers and dispatchers chose Ms. Siler, 46, based on her technical job knowledge and ability, enthusiastic work attitude,...
Troopers and dispatchers work to rescue dog that ran from crash (IN)
INDIANAPOLIS (WANE) — State police troopers and dispatchers worked together to rescue a dog that escaped a crashed vehicle on an interstate Tuesday. Officers responded to Interstate 465 regarding a vehicle that ran off the roadway and rolled several times. As troopers...
Indiana troopers, dispatchers used highway cameras to catch dog who ran from crash (IN)
INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - Indiana State Police went on a chase on I-465 Tuesday afternoon. It wasn't a typical pursuit. Troopers say they were trying to catch Poppy, a dog who escaped from a car crash. The car ran off I-465 on the west side and rolled several times....
Madisonville-Hopkins Co. 911 dispatchers holding Coat Drive for children (KY)
HOPKINS COUNTY, Ky. (12/17/19) — Dispatchers, the lifeline of most communities 365 days a year, are working in Hopkins County to make a difference for children this year. The Madisonville-Hopkins County Central Dispatch 911 office is collecting gently used or new...
‘Help me’: Police dispatcher recounts deadly barracks ambush (PA)
MILFORD, Pa. (AP) – State police dispatcher Nicole Palmer had just arrived for her 11 p.m. shift and was on the phone with a man complaining about his neighbor‘s fireworks when she heard a gunshot. An assassin‘s bullet had slammed into the chest of her co-worker, Cpl....
Late Mahwah Fireman, Dispatcher Is ‘Hometown Hero’
TEANECK, NJ – More than 40 residents from around northern New Jersey were recognized Monday morning for their contributions to the community. During the fifth annual Hometown Hero awards, which were held at Holy Name Medical Center, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer...
Oneida County 9-1-1 Service Affected In Bridgewater (NY)
A provider issue has led to the inability of Oneida County residents in the Bridgewater area on the 822 exchange with Windstream Telephone to dial 9-1-1 for emergency services...
Dispatcher who shared 911 call via Snapchat gets year of probation, gives up job (NJ)
A county dispatcher who was accused of sharing a recording of a 911 call about a possible weapon in a vehicle with a friend will serve a year of probation and give up his job. Brad Saddler, 29, of Salem, pleaded guilty last month to a disorderly persons offense for...
Many 911 dispatchers now recognized as first responders in West Virginia (WV)
CHARLESTON, W.Va (WCHS / WVAH) — In October, Kanawha County Metro 911 became the first organization in the state to recognize their dispatchers as first responders. Metro 911 dispatchers say they take anywhere from 1200 to 1500 calls a day. Training coordinator,...
RCPD plan addresses recruitment, retention for dispatchers (KS)
A proposal to address short staffing in the Riley County Police Department’s communications center involves breaking up the seven months of required training, pay increases and a heavier focus on recruiting dispatchers. Director Dennis Butler and Capt. Erin Freidline,...
Dispatchers receive reports of wires down in Orange County (FL)
Orange County – The Orange County Fire Rescue is advising drivers to stay alert after dispatchers received reports of wires down. The fire rescue wants drivers to slow down and stay alert for hazards in the road. The National Weather Service said a half-inch of...
911 dispatcher helps boy with math homework (IN)
LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Police dispatchers are trained to deal with a number of situations, and a dispatcher in Indiana had to know her numbers when a boy called 911 seeking help with his homework. Lafayette Police dispatcher Antonia Bundy answered the call from the...
Onslow County EMS now using whole blood to help save trauma patients (NC)
JACKSONVILLE, Onslow County — Onslow County Emergency Medical Services is the only ground ambulance service in North Carolina to use whole blood to help their patients. EMS officials say Onslow County is one of the first ground 9-1-1 systems to use whole blood as part...
The FirstNet Ecosystem: Spurring Innovation
Brian Hobson, Director, Enterprise Strategy Division, First Responder Network Authority
From natural disasters to critical incidents and everyday emergencies, first responders have experienced time and time again why communication is so crucial to their operations. Since its creation, the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) has worked with first responders to understand what they need in a network and what technologies can support and enhance those efforts. The FirstNet Authority is committed to exploring and advancing future technologies and has supported several innovation contests encouraging entrepreneurs, researchers, and public safety professionals to come up with solutions that help emergency responders. For these contests, the FirstNet Authority has joined forces with other agencies with strengths in grants, coding, and technology to promote innovation for public safety technologies.
For example, the FirstNet Authority has partnered with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on several initiatives.
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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.
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