Top Comm Center Headlines
News & Articles
911 calls for help as dispatcher staff shrinks (WY)
Sheriff warns county is one dispatcher away from not being able to answer all calls. Teton County’s communications center has half the dispatchers it needs to adequately answer emergency calls and that means trouble. “We are one person away from not being able to...
Cook County dispatcher coaches father through on-road birth (MN)
COOK COUNTY, Minn. (KBJR) – A Cook County dispatcher can add something new to her resume: helping deliver a baby. According to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office and Public Safety Facebook page, the sheriff’s office received a call around 1:41 a.m. Tuesday of a woman in...
The 411 on 911 (MN)
ROCHESTER, Minn. - Do you know when to call 911? It sounds simple, but it's not always an easy determination to make. "One of the biggest things that we get, especially now that winter is coming, is road condition questions, weather condition questions. And a lot of...
Woman facing charges for bogus 911 calls, drugs (OH)
A Guernsey County woman is facing potential drug-related charges after numerous 911 hang-up calls from multiple locations in the Quaker City and Old Washington areas drew the attention of sheriff’s deputies Sunday night. The 31-year-old suspect was taken into custody...
While one alderman expressed financial concerns, Oconomowoc will keep its local dispatch service (WI)
Despite the potential for financial savings the Oconomowoc Common Council has once again decided to keep its local dispatch center. After a lengthy discussion Nov. 5 over whether to dissolve the Oconomowoc Dispatch Center and join Waukesha County Communications,...
Improvements coming to County 9-1-1 system (MT)
Sometime before the middle of next year, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office expects to upgrade its 9-1-1 system. People who call 9-1-1 in emergencies may not notice much difference – but behind the scenes, the Office could provide faster, more efficient service....
The Critical Role of GIS in NG9-1-1
The 9-1-1 system –life-critical to all citizens – has remained essentially the same over the last 50 years. Over the last decade, public safety and geographic information systems (GIS) professionals have heard about an overhaul to the 9-1-1 infrastructure. The...
Hometown Stories: 911 dispatcher in Bristol recognized with awards for saving woman’s life (TN)
BRISTOL, Tenn. — Although 911 dispatchers are an integral part of the emergency response network, they are often the unsung heroes behind the scenes. But their persistence and dedication help save lives. Jessica Donihe, 32, a 911 dispatcher with the Bristol Tennessee...
State honors officers involved in October stolen vehicle pursuit (OH)
Police officers from across Northwest Ohio and a K-9 were honored Friday for stopping a high-speed chase last month involving a vehicle with an infant inside. Ohio Rep. Haraz Ghanbari, R-Perrysburg, joined Ohio Treasurer of State Robert Sprague Friday to honor 17 law...
A robust safety culture enhances an entire system (CA)
Omnitrans has been focused on enhancing the safety and security of both its daily operations and emergency readiness and has recently been recognized for these efforts. The agency’s initiatives touch on almost every aspect of the system, from providing...
Grant earns palmetto award (SC)
MARION, S.C. — Marion County E-911 Communications Center’s Lakisha V. Grant received the 2019 S.C. Chapter of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officers and the National Emergency Number Association with the Palmetto Award on Oct. 21. Officials said the...
BC Dispatchers Receive Community Service Award (ND)
VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Valley City Area Chamber Ambassadors recognized area dispatchers for their hard work with their Community Service Award. Employees at the Barnes County 911 Dispatch Center in Valley City work 24 hour a day, 7 days a week, 365...
Heroes banquet honors fallen firefighter, 35 others (NM)
The ninth annual Heroes Banquet organized by the nonprofit Homes for Heroes of Chaves County organization honored 36 veterans and first responders on Saturday at the Eastern New Mexico State Fair event building. Former U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce of Hobbs, now chairman of...
McDowell’s Widener’s Ambulance Service closes after 30 years (WV)
NORTHFORK — Personnel with a McDowell County ambulance service which closed this week after 30 years of service immediately went back on duty as members of another service that will continue covering the Northfork area. “As one chapter ends, a new one began...
Last Call
Everyone knew her, or at least recognized her voice. For 29 years she had been the Tillamook County (Ore.) emergency response dispatcher. When you heard her call sign, “813,” on your radio, your heart began to beat faster. Rosalind attended Tillamook Adventist School...
City of Santa Barbara Loses Whistleblower Suit (CA)
A Santa Barbara jury concluded that the City of Santa Barbara should pay former dispatcher Bridget Bryden $1.28 million in economic damages sustained when she was terminated in March 2016 shortly after she’d voiced concerns to her superior that reductions to the...
West Orange 911 Police Dispatcher Advocates for Fair Wages (NJ)
WEST ORANGE, NJ — When Chris Babinski, a level-five Communications Operator for the West Orange Police Department (WOPD), recently addressed the township council on the state of stagnant wages for the WOPD communications department. Babinski, a 40-year West Orange...
911 dispatchers now considered first responders (VA)
KEYSER - Luke McKenzie, director of the Office of Emergency Services, has requested that the Mineral County Commission approve a resolution that would classify Mineral County 911 telecommunicators as first responders.The three commissioners did approve the resolution...
A bill working it’s way through congress could recognize 911 dispatchers as 1st responders. (IN)
PARKE COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI)--Congress is considering a bill that would recognize 911 dispatchers as first responders. Darla Wirth is the 911 communications supervisor for the Parke County Sheriff's Department. "A lot of people consider just because you're a call taker...
Moore County Radio Hams Conduct Simulated Emergency Test (NC)
It is always prudent to be well prepared for any emergency or disaster that might occur. To that end, the Moore County Amateur Radio Emergency Service conducted a simulated emergency test (SET) on October 26. An annual event, the SET is an emergency management...
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.
REGISTER
Subscribe to Comm Center News
Get the latest News, Articles, and Insights from AllThingsECC.com weekly in our newsletter.
PARTNERS
Stay Up to Date With The Latest News & Updates
Share Your Story
Join our community to share your experience and connect and collaborate with colleagues.
Join Our Newsletter
Get the latest News, Articles, and Insights from AllThingsECC.com weekly in our newsletter.
Follow Us
Stay connected with the latestEmergency Communications News, Articles & Information.



