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Elsa Durrett Commended for Bravery | Fire Department and City Council Applaud 9-1-1 Call
It may have been much worse had it not been for the calmness of a young 11-year-old girl who placed an important 9-1-1 call last summer. On the afternoon of August 21, a fire broke out at the girl’s home in the 700 block of Charter Oak Street in South Pasadena. At the...
Butler County Emergency Communications to receive 911 grant
The Kansas 911 Coordinating Council announced on Friday that Butler County Emergency Communications has been awarded a grant to upgrade recording equipment used in the 9-1-1 center. “We were planning and budgeting to begin recording more than just audio and capturing...
Maidencreek Township supervisor says tax hike likely due to 9-1-1 bill
Maidencreek Township, PA — Since 2000, Maidencreek Township has only raised taxes twice: once in 2013, and again in 2015. But township officials say that the county's passage of 9-1-1 costs to municipalities means a tax hike, perhaps a significant one, is likely in...
911 operator who took chaotic call from Bellevue attack victim was first day on job
SEATTLE - As a chaotic morning unfolded with a violent domestic disturbance that turned into a police chase that spanned several cities around the area, 911 dispatchers were at the helm guiding help where it was needed. But for the dispatcher that took the original...
Bellmead: Three dispatchers honored for efforts to save man’s life
Bellmead Communications Operator Kelsey Smith and Waco Police Department Communications Operators Michael Blohm and Kim Thomas were presented with Lifesaving Awards at Tuesday night's city council for their actions in handling an emergency call. Bellmead police...
Metro 911 dispatchers formally recognized as first responders
KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- When people think of first responders, the first people who come to mind are generally the firefighters, EMS, and police. The Kanawha County Commission recognized Metro 911 dispatchers for their dedication and hard work. But Thursday...
Students Spend the School Day at 9-1-1 Awareness Day
GEORGETOWN, Del. - Students were invited to the 20th annual 9-1-1 Awareness Day at the Public Safety Complex, where they learned how serious dialing 9-1-1 is. "We want them to understand what happens when you call 9-1-1, what we expect as far as the kind of...
Stua named director of Porter County 911
VALPARAISO — Anthony Stua has been preparing for this day for the past few weeks. As the new Director of Communications for Porter County Central Communications 911, Stua was ready Tuesday morning when all law enforcement agencies migrated to the...
County hires Wash. man as new 911 director
After a four-month nationwide search, Tim Martindale has been named the new 911 director for Gallatin County. Martindale has more than 14 years of experience in 911 communications. He started his career as a dispatcher for Pacific County Communications in Washington...
More officers, upgraded 9-1-1 push Sarnia police costs higher
The proposed 2020 Sarnia police budget calls for a 7.1 per cent increase over 2019. A $25,547,351 operating draft, presented to the police services board Thursday morning, includes $339,533 for four new officers that would raise the uniform complement to 115. Chief...
Emergency dispatchers experience stressful, rewarding work
JEROME. Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) Dispatch centers across the country are having a hard time keeping people in the job. The job poses many challenges, but can also be very rewarding. Southern Idaho Regional Communications Center is a dispatch center located in Jerome that...
Carbyne and Lilly Consulting Partner to Bring Mental Health Initiatives to Public Safety Practitioners
NEW YORK, Oct. 10, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Carbyne, a global leader in public safety technology, announced today that it will be partnering with Dr. Michelle Lilly, and her firm Lilly Consulting, to offer mental health and wellness programs to public safety...
2-1-1 could help alleviate stress on 9-1-1
TOLEDO, Ohio — A push is underway by the city of Toledo and the United Way to make sure you get the resources you need. The long-term goal is for people to think of 2-1-1, the United Way hotline number, as a resource to call besides 9-1-1 if they are dealing...
Lexington Council Members Get Update On 9-1-1
The director of Lexington’s enhanced 911 emergency call program outlined staffing issues to a city council committee this week. Emergency calls for help have increased significantly over the past two decades. Enhanced 911 Director Robert Stack said there are...
Aspiring Richmond 911 dispatchers take real calls while training
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Richmond Emergency Communications Department takes hundreds of 911 calls from around the city each day. On Wednesday, 8News got a behind the scenes look as trainees go through a 10-week academy to become 911 dispatchers. The department takes...
A Guide to Verified Alarm Trends and How to Utilize Them
The one constant is change. Security, though an old term, continues to evolve and as does what it means. Our industry is on the precipice of being able to progress in a way never seen. Technology and innovation are outpacing our wildest ideas. One of the foundations...
Palm Beach Police to hire part-time officers, dispatchers
The Palm Beach Police Department is looking to hire part-time officers and dispatchers to lower overtime costs. Police Chief Nicholas Caristo told last month’s Public Safety Committee meeting that the part-timers would alleviate the overtime costs and fatigue on the...
Douglas County family meets 911 dispatcher who helped them deliver baby in bathtub
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. -- If Ryan and Devinne Howell ever needed proof that angels exist, they found it on the other end of a phone call to 911. Missy Piche is a 911 dispatcher in Douglas County who helped talk the Howells through the birth of their daughter, Nellie Maeve...
Task Force continues to try and reduce non-emergency calls to 911 dispatchers
These are real examples of reasons Toledoans have dialed 911, and the problems that have been created as a result are concerning. But Toledo Fire and Rescue Chief Brian Byrd believes these people do think they need to call the emergency line, simply because they don't...
Fired police dispatcher sues former Miner, Mo., police chief, city
A fired Miner, Missouri, police dispatcher has filed a federal lawsuit against the former police chief and the city, alleging sex and age discrimination and wrongful termination. The termination of Laura Adams of Benton, Missouri, was a factor in the impeachment and...
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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