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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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Franklin Township: Smart Child Calls 9-1-1 Helps Save Mother’s Life (NJ)
SOMERSET, NJ - A quick-thinking 4-year-old local girl may have saved her mother's life, according to police. Isla Glaser called 9-1-1 at approximately 7:54 am on Dec. 6 and spoke with Julie Kozo and Olivia Klein, Franklin Township Police department...
Dispatchers face discipline in handling of 911 call (MI)
OLIVE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — An internal investigation found that 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. The Ottawa County dispatcher who took...
County Commission creates new position for emergency communications center (MO)
The Boone Country Commission has created a new position — emergency communication center director — according to a news release sent Monday. The position merges two former positions, directors of emergency management and joint communications. The creation of...
Boone County creates new position, Emergency Communications Center Director (MO)
BOONE COUNTY - The Boone County Commission has a new leadership position, Director of Emergency Communications Center. Chad Martin, current Director of Joint Communications will take the role. The job merges two former leadership positions, Emergency Management...
Bristol Police Looking To Hire Dispatcher (RI)
BRISTOL, RI — The Bristol Police Department is looking to hire a new dispatcher. Both part-time and full-time positions are available. Applications will be accepted until Dec. 30. Applicants must meet the following requirements: Must be a US CitizenMust be 18 years of...
Meceola dispatcher and feline friend hosts animal donation drive (MI)
MECOSTA, OSCEOLA COUNTIES — In an effort to help local animal shelters, Meceola Consolidated Central DispatchDispatcher Renee Machleit and her feline friend, Chief, are hosting their first-ever animal donation drive. Donating to area families during the holidays, the...
Dispatcher meets mother and baby she helped deliver through phone (NC)
CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) – It’s not everyday a dispatcher gets to meet the person they’re helping behind the phone. On October 29, Carteret County telecommunicator, Brittany Stapleton helped a mother deliver her baby. According to the Carteret Emergency...
Threat of attack lifted for crisis dispatchers (Canada)
Emergency dispatchers within the Laurentides-Lanaudière and Montérégie areas will eventually have the ability to restore their particular collective contract this few days, no less than four months after achieving an understanding using their particular companies. The...
Dispatcher fired over Trump wants $250000 settlement (WI)
LA CROSSE, Wis. (AP) – A University of Wisconsin-La Crosse police dispatcher who says she was fired for supporting President Donald Trump‘s travel ban wants a six-figure settlement. UW-L Chancellor Joe Gow told The La Crosse Tribune (http://bit.ly/2mN3G7P ) that...
Defense bill does not include language to reclassify 911 telecommunicators
Language that would reclassify public-safety telecommunicators as “Protective Service Occupation” personnel instead of administrative/clerical workers will not be part of a key defense funding bill, but 911 advocates expressed their intent to continue the...
New: DC 911 takes almost 10-minutes to dispatch firefighters to a subway tunnel fire (DC)
Tuesday was a bad day from start to finish for riders on Metro’s Red Line subway. There were at least three smoke/fire incidents during rainy weather. The first one impacted the morning rush hour and two others disrupted train traffic for the evening trip home. None...
‘We’re able to empower our callers to act:’ New dispatch system in Wauwatosa could save more lives (WI)
WAUWATOSA — The Wauwatosa Dispatch Center is utilizing new technology, allowing them to be more efficient and effective in responding to emergency calls. The system is called Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD). It's software used in both Milwaukee and West Allis....
County moves up Central Communications fix following weekend equipment failure (NJ)
WESTAMPTON — An upgrade to the county’s Public Safety Center was moved up after an equipment failure caused a temporary power outage and shutdown of Central Communications and its dispatch system. The power outage happened just before 9:30 a.m. Sunday and prompted...
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.
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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