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Cincinnati Making Progress On Emergency Communications Staffing (OH)
Cincinnati officials say they've shaved five weeks off the time it takes to hire call takers and dispatchers for the city's emergency communications center (ECC). But the process from someone applying to actually getting a job still takes 14 weeks. It used to be...
Ready for anything: Needham’s Emergency Management Admin faces communications struggle (MA)
After 10 years in the Navy as a fighter pilot - deployed in Japan and Washington state, Lt. Commander Rebecca Ping secured a Masters of Science degree in emergency management and began working for Needham in 2017 as its emergency management administrator. Then, in...
Rock County, Wis., 911 Dispatchers Can Now Track Cellphones (WI)
(TNS) — Emergency dispatch operators in Rock County, Wis., have a new tool that allows them to track 911 callers faster and more accurately than ever before. Help support reporting that brings important issues to light. By subscribing, you can help us continue to...
Expansion plans advance for New Orleans’ 911 center (LA)
The Orleans Parish Communication District has agreed to negotiate a contract with a local architecture company to design an expansion of the Chief Warren E. McDaniels Sr. 911 Center. The OPCD Board of Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution allowing...
Cincinnati Making Progress On Emergency Communications Staffing (OH)
Cincinnati officials say they've shaved five weeks off the time it takes to hire call takers and dispatchers for the city's emergency communications center (ECC). But the process from someone applying to actually getting a job still takes 14 weeks. It used to be...
What happens when someone in St. Paul calls 911? (MN)
Every time Ramsey County dispatch telecommunicator Amber Guettler answers a 911 call, she expects to hear about a crisis, the voices high with emotion. From that difficult call, Guettler has to get as much information as possible. “It typically is...
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...
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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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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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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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