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Changes coming to 911 system after family says no ambulance dispatched for heart attack (LA)
NEW ORLEANS — Earlier this week a woman posted to the social media app, Nextdoor. She says her husband was having a heart attack and after calling 911 multiple times and ambulance never arrived. She says she and her son drove her husband to the hospital.
Revived legislation proposes penalties for abusing Alaska’s 911 system
A bill adding criminal penalties for harassing 911 dispatchers or abusing the 911 system in Alaska is advancing closer to a vote in the state Senate after the Legislature failed to pass it last year.
Strapped emergency services struggle to answer 911 calls (LA)
Hospitals and clinics across the nation are buckling under the weight of a staffing shortage, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Emergency services and ambulatory care providers are also struggling to answer an increasing amount of 911 calls. That was apparent when...
Livestreamed 911 calls help Weber deputies save lives (UT)
OGDEN — A new program that streams 911 calls to deputies in their patrol vehicles may have helped save two lives already in its first three weeks of operation, the Weber County Sheriff’s Office says.
Council adopts resolution seeking recognition of emergency dispatchers as first responders (HI)
The Maui County Council adopted a resolution Friday to urge the county administration to recognize emergency dispatchers as first responders.
ARE YOU READY CHICAGO? THE NEW CHICAGO OEMC APP PUTS EMERGENCY (IL)
Edmonds police improving 911 communications process with automated texts, emails (WA)
Beginning Feb. 8, the Edmonds Police Department will launch a new program to update 911 callers and crime victims about their incidents. The process involves sending fully automated yet customized texts or emails with the latest information about the case. They will...
Into The Unknown The Paramedics Journey
Former United States Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona Joins Paramedic Documentary asCo-Producer with “Emergency!” Stars Randy Mantooth and Kevin Tighe “Kevin and I are so pleased to have Dr. Carmona’s participation,” said Randy Mantooth. “His reputationand rich...
Regional center to take Manchester 911 calls starting March (MA)
MANCHESTER — It’s been several months, but Manchester-by-the-Sea Police continue to transition to a new system of handling emergency calls.
Knudsen returns to Concordia Police Department as dispatch supervisor (KS)
Kathy Knudsen has returned to Concordia in a job she loves, and brought almost 24 years of experience with her. Knudsen, the new dispatch supervisor at the Concordia Police Department, began her career in Concordia in 1999. After five years she went to work with the...
Public-safety coalition renews efforts to secure federal NG911 funding
A coalition of public-safety associations today reiterated its support for federal legislation that would provide the funding needed to pay for 911 centers to migrate from legacy technologies to an IP-based next-generation 911 (NG911) platform that is designed to...
Bowser announces pick to run D.C.’s beleaguered 911 call center (D.C.)
After D.C. officials said they were undertaking a nationwide search for a new leader for the city’s mistake-prone 911 call-taking center, Mayor Muriel E. Bowser announced Friday that she is promoting the center’s deputy director, Heather McGaffin, to the top job.
The Funding Needed to Upgrade Our Public Safety Infrastructure Just Went Away
If federal funding for technology infrastructure to support the transition from E911 to NG 911 isn't restored quickly, the underlying technology is on life support. READ FULL ARTICLE
Calvert Director Of Public Safety Jackie Vaughan Retires After 42 Years Of Service (MD)
PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. – The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) celebrated the retirement of Jacqueline “Jackie” Vaughan, director of Public Safety. Jackie retired after dedicating 42 years of faithful and loyal service to the citizens of Calvert...
Burke County training therapy dog to work with 911 dispatchers (NC)
MORGANTON, N.C. — Emergency dispatchers in Burke County have a new furry friend in the office with a special job. Ellie Maye, a 12-week-old golden doodle, will be trained as a therapy dog for 911 dispatchers and work in the county’s emergency communications center in...
El Cajon launches first-in-the-region overhaul of 911 program to direct less-serious calls to nurses (CA)
The new El Cajon Community Care pilot program will give callers who do not appear to be in danger the option of talking with a nurse, who can still help schedule doctor’s appointments and arrange rides to clinics. “We’re looking at a holistic approach,” Bent Koch,...
SEECOM recognized for third time as an Accredited Center of Excellence for Medical Dispatch (IL)
CRYSTAL LAKE, IL - Southeast Emergency Communications has once again been recognized by The International Academies of Emergency Dispatch as an Accredited Center of Excellence for emergency medical dispatching. SEECOM is the 225th Medical Ace in the world.
New York investor buys Intrado safety business – (CO)
LONGMONT — Stonepeak Partners LP, a New York investment firm that specializes in infrastructure assets, has purchased a business unit from Longmont-based Intrado Inc., a company that makes advanced emergency communications systems for public safety agencies, in a deal...
NGA was awarded the $37M contract by the State of California to provide the state’s 9-8-8 …
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Jan. 31, 2023 -- Next Generation Advanced (NGA), a global leader in NG911 digital emergency communications services and source for complete, adaptable, and reliable solutions announced today that they were awarded the $37M contract to provide...
PPD announces 911 upgrades (KS)
PITTSBURG, Kan. — The Pittsburg Police Department recently joined other Kansas agencies in an effort to improve public safety with access to next-generation 911 services. This partnership allows improved location services that include more accurate longitude/latitude,...
Reauthorization SurveyMORE>
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.
PETITIONSMORE>
Congress should reauthorize the FirstNet Authority now.
Support the reauthorization of the FirstNet Authority to preserve public safety’s network
PSBTA UpdatesMORE>
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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Public Sector GrantsMORE>
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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