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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.
READ FULL ARTICLE
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...
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...
County commissioners accept resignations, approve promotions (PA)
LOCK HAVEN — The Clinton County commissioners approved several personnel items at Thursday’s meeting. They include the resignations of Truancy Outreach Worker Erin Kunes of Children and Youth Services, effective Nov. 22; part-time clerk typist Michelle Bechdel who...
E-911 measure passing; Cosi muni building funding is not (WA)
Grays Harbor voters approved a sales tax to upgrade E-911 services on Election Day. [...] E-911 measure With slightly more than one-quarter of the ballots returned and counted, the measure is passing 7,529 votes for and 4,490 votes against. ... READ MORE
Cocke County honors dispatcher (TN)
COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) -- On November 7, the Cocke County E-911 team took to social media to honor one of their retired dispatchers who passed away in early November. According to their post, Sandy Bradshaw passed away following a battle with an illness....
Benton County Voters Give Nod To New Taxing District To Fund 911 Expansion (OR)
Benton County made its case to voters to create a taxing district specifically to cover 911 emergency dispatch services. And voters overwhelmingly approved Measure 20-303 last night, with 61 percent saying “yes”. The district will include most of Benton County,...
Seymour voters approve funds for road improvement, emergency communications equipment (CT)
SEYMOUR — Voters Tuesday approved two of the three questions posed to them on the ballot. They overwhelmingly approved bonding $5 million for road improvements by a 2,185 to 438 vote, and also gave their blessing to spending $1.4 million to upgrade communications...
Communications equipment being moved into new center this week (NE)
YORK – The current/older communications equipment being used by York County’s emergency dispatch services is being moved over this week to the new communications center in the addition to the courthouse. This is not the new permanent equipment that is intended for the...
Tech maintains severe weather plans, safety precautions (TX)
Tornadoes are a common concern in northern Texas. Following the recent out-of-season tornado causing severe damage in Dallas, one may wonder about the safety precautions Texas Tech has in place in the event of severe weather. Ronald Phillips, Tech’s chief...
Public Safety Department dispatch center in Flagstaff closes (AZ)
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — A northern Arizona dispatch center has closed after the state Department of Public Safety had trouble recruiting employees. The department announced the closure earlier this year. The last dispatch from the center came in mid-October....
A 911 supervisor was streaming Netflix at work when dispatchers mishandled a shooting call
(CNN)A woman in South Florida called 911 after a bullet came through her car's windshield -- but dispatchers didn't send help right away. Police say they mishandled the call while their supervisor was streaming a Netflix movie. Guadalupe Herrera was driving near a gas...
Marion County 911 operator lauded for successfully directing CPR efforts on infant (FL)
A Marion County 911 operator was recognized at Tuesday morning’s Marion County Commission meeting for helping to save an infant’s life. Fire Chief James Banta told commissioners that in August, Brenna Parson, an emergency telecommunicator, received a call seeking help...
New communications tower going up by Myrtle Reservoir (WA)
2:20 PM: Thanks to Mike for the photos and word of a tower-replacement project under way by Myrtle Reservoir in Gatewood. Mike says a city rep on scene “told me they’re replacing the current radio tower (used for public safety agencies, police, fire, and also Metro)...
Despite evidence of mistakes during Waffle House shooting, no dispatch reforms announced (TN)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — The chairman of Metro Council's Public Safety Committee wants to see more evidence presented in the lawsuit against the Emergency Communications Center. A lawsuit filed by the family of Akilah Dasilva, one of the victims of the 2018 Waffle...
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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