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A Discussion with Glenn Yanovak On Staying Motivated in the Face of Adversity (NJ)
Glenn Yanovak was born and raised in Morristown, NJ. He graduated in 1986 from Morris Knolls High School and later attended the County College of Morris in 1995 to earn a degree in Criminal Justice. In 1992 Mr. Yanovak became a dispatcher with the Hanover Twp. Police...
SLO County and Cal Fire dispatchers could work together under one roof in Templeton (CA)
The Cal Fire San Luis Obispo Chief and SLO County Sheriff want to bring their two dispatch teams together under one roof in Templeton. Cal Fire Chief Scott Jalbert and Sheriff Ian Parkinson recently presented their idea to the Templeton Area Advisory Group, outlining...
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...
Shooting victim recognizes the officer and dispatcher who helped save his life (GA)
By the time Darrius Martin realized he was at the wrong place at the wrong time, Rome police officer Scott Kasmar happened to be at the right place at the right time that nearly fatal Wednesday morning in August. “God was just shining on him that day,” Kasmar, a...
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...
Rutherford County 911 gets new technology to speed up response time, pinpoint locations (TN)
RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WZTV) — New technology is being used in Rutherford County to speed up response time and pinpoint locations FOX 17 News has recently reported about the issues that faced dispatch during the mass shooting at an Antioch Waffle House a year ago....
Network issue knocks out 911 service in Mississippi County (AR)
JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) -When Mississippi County residents dial 911 Friday they will be speaking to a dispatcher in Jonesboro. Jeff Presley, Jonesboro & Craighead 911 director, said all calls to Mississippi County’s emergency service will be rerouted to the city of...
Phoenix police to hold women’s expo in hopes of recruiting more females
PHOENIX — With women only making up roughly 14% of the Phoenix Police Department, an expo is being held Saturday that aims to recruit more females to the force. The Phoenix Police Women’s Health and Fitness Expo will highlight the women part of the organization,...
OP turns over P200-M for Baguio’s 911 command hub (Philippines)
BAGUIO CITY-- The city government here can start building a state-of-the-art command center after Presidential Assistant for Visayas Michael Dino and Senator Christopher "Bong" Go turned over on Thursday a PHP200-million check courtesy of President Rodrigo Duterte....
United Communications, Local Internet Service Provider, Partners with the Rutherford County E911 Center to Provide Enhanced Communications Services (TN)
Murfreesboro, Tenn. - United Communications, Middle Tennessee's leading provider of fiber and fixed wireless internet services, and Middle Tennessee Electric, the state's largest electric cooperative, today announced that they have partnered to deliver a dark fiber...
Lowering 911 Dispatch Fees, A ‘Game Changer’ For Hamilton County Departments, Depends On Voters (OH)
Hamilton County residents will find out soon if they'll be asked to overturn a quarter-percent sales tax increase approved in October to balance the county budget. Part of the additional money from the sales tax hike would go toward lowering 911 dispatch fees for...
Austin Police Dept on Twitter: “High five for Police Dispatcher Lead Amanda Spees” (TX)
High five for Police Dispatcher Lead Amanda Spees, who recently reached her five year mark! Thanks for your hard work and dedication to the community and to APD... READ MORE
Michigan’s funniest 911 dispatchers share poem about bad winter drivers (MI)
TRAVERSE CITY, MI – Anyone who has lived in Michigan long enough knows that with snow comes bad winter drivers. Yes, despite the fact that snow has fallen on Michigan since the beginning of time, when the wet stuff falls, residents lose their mind and seemingly forget...
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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She’s ‘on the radio when all hell breaks loose’: SIRCOMM dispatcher receives state award (ID)
JEROME — On a daily basis, 911 dispatchers handle calls that can be surprising or shocking. Angel Hunsaker, a dispatcher with Southern Idaho Regional Communications Center, received a different kind of surprise when she received the Telecommunicator of the Year award...
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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