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Arizona has begun the transition to Next Generation 9-1-1
The State of Arizona has begun the transition to Next Generation 9-1-1 ("NG911") services to the Public Safety Answering Point ("PSAP") communities across the state. NG911 will come in two parts Next Generation Core Services ("NGCS") and new Call Handling Equipment...
They are coming, I promise you: Jacksonville 911 dispatcher recognized as hero after … (FL)
At one point during the call, the trapped woman becomes unable to communicate. JFRD says Alonda Oates stays on the line and continues to speak to her anyway. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Editor's Note: Some elements in this story may be disturbing to some.
Texas Emergency Communications Center earns elite designation as Accredited …
Only a few short months since it was established, the Texas Emergency Communications Center, which serves as the 911 dispatch center for five volunteer fire departments in northern Harris County, has achieved a noteworthy milestone.
911 dispatcher who scolded drowning woman wont face charges – National News (AR)
Courtesy Nancy Organ(FORT SMITH, Ark.) — A former Arkansas 911 dispatcher was cleared of wrongdoing following accusations that she mishandled a call with a drowning woman and told her to “shut up” just moments before she died.
911 dispatcher earns lifesaving award after saving a puppy – WYFF (NC)
Emergency dispatchers for 911 are the first people you speak to in any crisis and their job is to help get first responders to you as fast as possible.However after 18 years as a dispatcher for the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, Sgt. Brandi Baldwin used her quick...
Take the 9-1-1 Pledge to avoid tying up emergency services (FL)
Know when —and when not — to call 9-1-1, and what to do if you accidentally ring them Last year, E-Comm received more than two million calls to 911: more than 5,000 calls per day on average. Call volumes are on the rise, and every second that 911 call-takers spend...
911 dispatchers are in short supply. In Missouri, cities are grappling with how to provide …. (MO)
ST. LOUIS – For the last year, the 911 dispatcher center for the city of Bridgeton covered the needs of its 11,000 residents with less than half of the dispatchers it needed. As of this month, that center no longer exists. Instead, officials in the suburb 18 miles...
Public Safety Dept announces changes to address staffing levels at Public Safety Answering Points (VT)
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Public Safety is working with police agencies throughout the state to address staffing needs at the two state- operated dispatch centers. These centers serve more than 100 public safety agencies as 911 Public Safety...
‘I am here tonight, resigning,’ Metro employees say without sufficient raises, they’ll be priced out of town
“I’m embarrassed to be asking for the money,” said Kay Mullikin, a 911 dispatcher at Metro Nashville Emergency Communications Center. “It’s just a shame that we have to have meetings to get it. The money is there — it’s embarrassing to be begging for a cost of living...
Iowa high court reverses, finding PTSD suffered by dispatcher compensable
A divided Iowa Supreme Court on Friday ruled the post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by a 911 dispatcher who answered a phone call from a mother screaming after her infant was killed with a claw hammer is compensable under the state’s workers compensation...
Bakersfield’s first-ever 911 dispatcher tasked with providing mental health care
Delphina Rojo never imagined going into mental health care recovery. But after gaining years of experience in Kern Behavioral Health & Recovery Services and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from CSUB, Rojo now occupies Bakersfield’s inaugural position as a...
Former ECC director says she was forced to resign
For the third time in less than five years, Sumner County’s Emergency Communications Center (ECC) has a new director. And while controversy surrounded the departure of its first director in early 2019, the second director’s exit in December was also abrupt. However,...
Staff shortages send Portland non-emergency wait times skyrocketing – KGW (OR)
PORTLAND, Conn. — Wait times for people calling Portland's non-emergency number were so high on Friday, the bureau asked people not to call — or at least hold off if they could. The Portland Bureau of Emergency Communication (BOEC) said limited staffing and a...
Volusia dispatchers start using video 911 system – Orlando (FL)
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Dispatchers in Volusia County can now see an emergency in real time using a video 911 system the sheriff’s office unveiled this week. Sheriff Mike Chitwood said they’re just starting to use it and an incident on Thursday is a great example of...
911 dispatcher fired after allegedly hanging up on store employee during Buffalo shooting call
The 911 dispatcher accused of hanging up on an employee calling for help during the supermarket shooting that killed 10 Black people in Buffalo, New York, last month has been fired, officials said. The assistant office manager at Tops Friendly Market called 911 when a...
9-1-1 Festival begins Friday (AL)
HALEYVILLE - Emergency first responders are again the focus of the City of Haleyville’s annual 9-1-1 festival Friday, June 3, and Saturday, June 4 - promising all of the activities people have come to expect while honoring the first-ever 9-1-1 call made in the...
All eyes on the FCC as deadline for 911 overhaul approaches – GCN
Ingrained in the minds of every American is a number that each of us hopes to never call, 911. But in life’s most vulnerable and harrowing moments, 911 is a lifeline to critical support and sometimes life-saving services. The premise is simple: We’re just one phone...
Officials look to boost rural public safety communications | Casper (WY)
Casper is the newest pin on the nationwide 5G coverage map. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., and FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr attended a meeting Tuesday in Casper to discuss public safety communication concerns within remote areas of Wyoming. Specifically, the event...
Putnam County Sheriffs Office & other Northeast Florida departments face dispatcher shortage (FL)
Col. Joe Wells, with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, says there’s a critical need for emergency 911 communications across the state. The county itself is working to hire 10 operators — and other centers in Northeast Florida are working to find help too.
News Flash • Titusville, FL • PST of the year
Congratulations to Titusville Police Department Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) Rebecca Hydorn for being chosen the Brevard County PST of the year.
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.
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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.
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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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