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Company explains why dispatchers did not send an officer despite multiple 911 calls from stabbed woman (UT)
SALT LAKE CITY — A 911 dispatch company accused of creating ineffective software is defending itself from allegations in a lawsuit filed earlier this week. Bre Lasley and her sister narrowly survived a home invasion four years ago in Salt Lake City, calling 911...
As fires rage, California takes steps to integrate technology into wildfire management (CA)
In September, even before the October wildfires began to ravage parts of northern and southern California, governor Gavin Newsom announced two contracts totaling nearly $2 million for developing technology to facilitate wildfire detection and emergency...
Talks break down between E-Comm, 9-1-1 Operators (Canada)
VANCOUVER, Nov. 1, 2019 /CNW/ - Bargaining between E-Comm 9-1-1 and the Emergency Dispatchers of BC has reached impasse. Mediated talks broke down today, with the employer unwilling to address key union concerns around low wages, cost of living,...
Cities’ funding of dispatchers debated (AR)
FORT SMITH -- The Sebastian County Intergovernmental Cooperation Council discussed a proposed interlocal agreement Thursday for radio dispatch services. The proposed agreement is meant to address a staffing shortage in the Sebastian County sheriff's office in relation...
Dispatcher tells caller they cannot send ambulance. Company says response was a miscommunication
Someone listed as a “concerned citizen” tells NewsChannel 6 a 911 call was mishandled. The person says the dispatcher refused to dispatch an ambulance for a medical emergency. The ambulance company says the ambulance was on the way and the response from the dispatcher...
Letter: Now is the time to back dispatchers (OR)
Consider the inordinately stressful and demanding job of 911 operators, who share the fear and suffering of victims 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, nights, weekends and holidays. Think about the emotional swings they experience – the high after talking down a...
911 Operators: Are they clerical workers or first responders? (IN)
JOHNSON COUNTY, Ind. (WTHR) — There is a movement underway to reclassify Indiana's 911 operators as first responders. That change would put 2,200 operators on par with police, fire and EMS workers. Every day 911 operators across the state answer calls of people...
Same Issues For 911 Calls 25 Years Later (MD)
Ocean City wants to revisit its long-held quest to handle its own 911 calls. Expectations for any changes on this front should be low. For at least 25 years, Ocean City officials have tried to convince Worcester County to allow 911 calls originating on the island to...
GI’s new 911 center prepares community for future emergencies (NE)
GRAND ISLAND, Neb (NTV) - Ravaged by floods and tornadoes, Grand Island prepares for the future with its new Emergency Management and Communications Center. The dispatchers who work there are the first first-responder to many emergencies but if a disaster affected...
Letter: Cellphones test 911 dispatchers (OR)
The cellphones that have revolutionized the way we communicate also pose real challenges for our 911 emergency response system. Three-fourths of the calls to Benton County's 911 system now come from cellphones, which take up to three times longer to manage than...
Letter: 911 dispatchers saved my life (OR)
About midnight one evening in 2008, I began to enjoy a late-night snack — a granola bar. After several bites, my lips and mouth seemed itchy and began to swell. Realizing I was reacting to something in the granola, I immediately stopped eating it, but the...
Morton girl meets dispatchers who helped save her mom (IL)
In part one of our special report, “Lives on the Line” we highlighted the struggles 911 dispatchers face.While it’s a difficult job, in one dispatcher’s words, there are those calls that make it all worthwhile. One of those calls involved a young Morton girl whose...
Plano Residents Can Now Text 9-1-1 (TX)
Plano (WBAP/KLIF) You can now text 9-1-1 if you have an emergency in the city of of Plano. The city says the ability to text messages to 9-1-1 will help residents who are hearing impaired. But, it can also be used in circumstances where it’s not safe...
9-1-1’s Deadly Flaw: Why dialing 9-1-1 from a cell phone can cost you precious time (TX)
TYLER, Texas — No one ever wants to have to call 9-1-1. However, those three numbers have saved countless lives since its first use in 1968. Each year, there are over 240 million calls into 9-1-1 dispatch services in the U.S., according to the National Emergency...
Local Dispatchers, Firefighters Help Battle Kincade Fire (CA)
With the Kincade Fire in Sonoma County entering its second week, local public servants are stepping forward to help. The Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD) has sent a trio of dispatchers to Sonoma County. “[Sonoma County has] a lot of fire personnel in the...
MSU officer recognized as 9-1-1 Hero (KY)
MOREHEAD, Ky. (WTVQ) – Morehead State University Police Officer Harley Catron has spent her career and her life overcoming the odds. That’s why she was chosen as an ABC 36 9-1-1 Hero. After a challenging upbringing in Montgomery County where some family members...
Breakdown in communications? (CO)
Lagging technology, increasing fees and little say in how funds are spent have north-valley law enforcement and emergency response leaders shopping for a dispatcher. Crested Butte Fire Protection District, Crested Butte Marshal’s Office and Mt. Crested Butte Police...
Maui Police Department Needs to Fill 48 Officer, 18 Dispatcher Vacancies (HI)
The Maui Police Department is looking to fill 48 police officer vacancies and 18 vacancies for Emergency Services Dispatchers. Acting Lieutenant John Sang with the department’s Community Relations Section said the department is looking for applicants who are willing...
Boone County 911 director in Arkansas encourages people to make Smart911 profile (AR)
HARRISON, Ark. -- Smart 911 is not only helpful for dispatchers and first responders. The Boone County 911 director says it also could help save your life. Without saying a word, you can now tell emergency dispatchers a lot. "If it's a medical call, we can share that...
Lawsuit alleges sexual discrimination at the East Jefferson Consolidated Fire Department (LA)
Three longtime female dispatchers for the East Bank Consolidated Fire Department in Jefferson Parish have filed a sexual discrimination lawsuit in federal court claiming a supervisor routinely passed over women for promotions and had inappropriate relationships with...
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
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