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911 dispatchers now have a new tool in Largo (FL)

LARGO, Fla. (WFLA) – The Largo Police Department is the first agency in the state to use new technology that could help your smartphone help you. The department recently upgraded its 911 dispatch center to include a video to 911 system designed by public safety...

NYSP in need of dispatchers (NY)

LEWIS, N.Y. — Helping the public by answering the phone is what Michelle Maddox does as a New York State Police communications specialist. “We have to handle incoming calls. Sometimes they are crisis calls,” Maddox said. These men and women keep tense situations calm...

E-911 funding passes with overwhelming support (WA)

he E-911 ballot measure to improve emergency services communications infrastructure across Grays Harbor County passed with overwhelming support. The countywide measure, which needed a simple majority to pass, has the backing of more than 63 percent of the voters after...

Groton dispatcher assists with delivery of baby boy (CT)

Groton — A dispatcher's handling of a 911 call early Thursday morning helped facilitate the delivery of a healthy baby, police said. Glen Riffe, a dispatcher at the Groton Emergency Communications Center, took the call about 3:33 a.m. from a residence in Navy housing...

County 911 coming closer to allowing texts for help (OH)

WARREN — Hundreds of texts pleading for help in 2007 as a gunman made his way through the Virginia Tech campus were sent to 911, only to disappear into the ether. The tragedy left emergency responders wondering if more lives could have been saved if the messages had...

Dzik named to top city post in Starr administration (OH)

MOUNT VERNON - In announcing his choice for safety service director, Mayor-elect Matt Starr is bringing back a familiar face to Mount Vernon. Former Knox County 9-1-1 Director Rick Dzik will assume duties of Mount Vernon safety service director in January. He will...

Problems with 9-1-1 in Thornbury (Canada)

We've got a problem this morning with 9-1-1 service in Thornbury.   The Provincial Emergency Operations Centre says its not working for land lines. It will however still work on your cell phone.  They haven't said what the problem is but they...

Taking Public Safety Communications to the Next Level: FirstNet’s Innovation and Test Lab

By Sarah Calams
The Boulder, Colorado, lab tests FirstNet-compatible devices and applications before their deployment in the field.
Imagine a firefighter is battling a massive wildfire and she has to check in with her fellow firefighters regarding changing wind conditions. But when she attempts to contact them, the connection is virtually non-existent.
This scenario is, without a doubt, dangerous. It could also lead to life-threatening results.
That’s why when the Boulder Mountain Fire Protection District (BMFPD) — a volunteer department made up of about 60 firefighters — visited the FirstNet Authority offices in Boulder, Colorado, their purpose was to not only prove the importance of clear communication but also expose the difficulties they sometimes face while ensuring crews’ safety on scene.
This article was written by Sarah Calams and appears in efficientgov.com dated November 7, 2019.
To read the full article please click on the button below.
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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.

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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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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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