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Texting 911 dispatchers now available in Morgan County (AL)
MORGAN COUNTY, Ala. (WAFF) - In Morgan County, there’s now more than one way to contact 911. You can call, you can video chat with them and now, you can text. The new feature works like any normal text you would send. You send the message to 911, say you need help and...
Increased carbon monoxide poisoning during Public Safety Power Shutoffs (CA)
TEHACHAPI, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Adventist Health announced at least four Tehachapi-area residents have been hospitalized in the last two weeks after suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning incurred after improperly heating their homes during ongoing Public...
This Small Team of Dispatchers Saves Lives Via Satellite
When the message arrived from the Alaskan wilderness, it was simple, brief, and urgent: tipped raft. The two paddlers who sent it had just almost drowned, and their food and gear had disappeared downriver. But they had one thing going for them, a small, handheld...
Bradenton police dispatcher resigns after inappropriate comments (FL)
Frank Canelli resigned on July 19 amid an internal affairs investigation into allegations of making inappropriate comments.
Coral Springs 911 Call Center Supervisor Suspended, Dispatchers Fired After Botched Response (FL)
CORAL SPRINGS (CBSMiami) – When a bullet shattered her back red VW window and almost hit her head, Guadalupe Herrera called 911. Trouble was Coral Springs police officers never came to help. After a lengthy investigation into how her emergency call was handled, the...
“Everybody in this place with a badge can … die.” Dispatcher quits after anti-cop rants (FL)
A 911 dispatcher is often seen as a lifeline for police officers, providing crucial details they need as they respond to emergencies. Among their duties is to making sure officers are safe, checking in on them during stops and sending back-up when needed. They are not...
Mankato Public Safety staff recognized for life saving efforts (MN)
MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - The City of Mankato presented new public safety staff while recognizing current staff and their efforts in protecting the Mankato community. New public safety staff took the oath of office while current staff was recognized for their...
Dispatcher honored for saving a life while shopping at Wal-Mart (MO)
Abby Howard has been working as a communications operator for the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop H headquarters for the last four years. She never was in a real life-saving situation until August 2, 2019 when she came to the assistance of Jordan Samsone. "I've...
Dispatcher streams Netflix, officers notified of shooting 30 minutes later, report says (FL)
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. - A Netflix movie led to a Coral Springs dispatch supervisor’s suspension after officers never responded to a shooting call in June, an internal affairs report concluded. Just before 7 p.m. on June 9, Guadalupe Herrera called 911 after someone...
911 Dispatcher Allegedly Watched Netflix During Shooting Call, Leading to 34-Minute Response (FL)
An emergency dispatch supervisor streamed a Netflix movie as a Florida woman frantically placed two 911 calls for help after a drive-by shooting, ultimately generating no response from officers for more than 30 minutes before the woman drove to the police station...
Former SC dispatcher, law enforcement officer sentenced to life in prison for murder of wife (SC)
LANCASTER COUNTY, S.C. (WBTV) - Former Chester County dispatcher and law enforcement officer James Baldwin has been found guilty of the 2016 murder of his wife Judy Orr Baldwin. Judge Dan Hall sentenced James Baldwin to life in prison. The guilty verdict and life...
Driving innovation for disaster response to support America’s first responders and build resilient communities
By John Fleming, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development; Dr. Walter G. Copan, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director; and Acting CEO Edward Parkinson, First Responder Network Authority
Never is the nexus of public safety response and economic impact more prevalent than during a disaster. From flooding to hurricanes and wildfires, during a disaster, it is imperative that public safety and local officials have the best tools and technologies to save lives. Having this critical response infrastructure is also instrumental in helping local economies recover and remain resilient into the future. That’s why three agencies within the U.S. Department of Commerce – the Economic Development Administration (EDA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) are working together to help foster innovations in response and resiliency technologies.
This article appears in eda.gov dated November 6, 2019.
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State Police to hold dispatcher exam (NY)
PLATTSBURGH — For North Country residents looking for a new calling, a job could just be an exam away. The New York State Police will be holding exams for communication specialist positions across the state. The exam for Troop B will take place on Jan.11, 2020, at...
911 dispatcher watched Netflix during botched shooting response: report (FL)
Netflix and too much chill. A 911 supervisor in Florida was streaming a Netflix movie when dispatchers botched a report of a shooting and failed to quickly send help, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported. Julie Vidaud was the shift supervisor when Coral...
Billings city officials outline need for public safety levy (MT)
BILLINGS — Members of the Billings City Council and its departments continued discussions about how to fix a $2 million shortfall in the public safety and general funds at the Lincoln Center School District Board Room Monday night. “We’re looking for help from you...
9-1-1 Go Live (Canada)
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is pleased to announce that 9-1-1 service is now available in all 33 communities in the Northwest Territories. 9-1-1 service in the Northwest Territories will make it faster for residents to contact...
LISTEN: 911 callers report plane hitting NJ house. Dispatchers can’t quite believe it.(NJ)
When a 911 caller told a Woodbridge police dispatcher that a plane had crashed into a nearby house around 11 a.m. last Tuesday, it seems she couldn’t quite believe her ears. “What is it, a house that’s on fire?” the dispatcher asked. “A plane crashed into a...
Lumberton dispatcher arrested, charged with DWI after fatal crash (NC)
LUMBERTON, NC (WBTW) – A Lumberton 911 dispatcher has been charged with DWI after a crash resulting in a fatality just outside Lumberton. According to Master Trooper Jody Conner with the North Carolina Highway Patrol, Tamla Terael McRae of Lumberton was driving behind...
Veteran Dispatchers Say Strict Protocol and Scripts Hindered Their Ability to Send Help to 911 Callers (UT)
The 911 dispatch protocol at the center of a lawsuit is causing two former Utah dispatchers to speak out.
NC 911 dispatcher charged with DWI after deadly crash (NC)
LUMBERTON, N.C. (WBTW) – A Lumberton 911 dispatcher has been charged with DWI after a deadly crash just outside Lumberton. According to Master Trooper Jody Conner with the North Carolina Highway Patrol, Tamla Terael McRae of Lumberton was driving behind a pickup truck...
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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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