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How prepared are public safety departments for a summer spike in 911 calls?
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- As summer activities ramp up, some are concerned about first responders' ability to handle an increase in calls. "Public safety is at a crisis here," said Beth Fulks, a former 911 operator. For years, Fulks was the voice at the other end of...
Man charged with unlawful use of 9-1-1 for repeated calls, verbal abuse (IN)
ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- A man was arrested and charged after repeatedly calling 9-1-1 and verbally abusing call takers, according to court records. South Bend Police were dispatched to a business on S. Michigan Street Sunday night and made contact with Tosh Mason....
Prince Georges County Fire Confirms Investigation Into Delayed Emergency Response to …
The Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department has confirmed that an investigation is underway into the delayed response – almost 18 minutes long – to a deadly head-on car crash last week. It occurred during a brief police pursuit in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, when a...
Oh Baby! Dispatcher awarded 3rd Stork Pin for assisting with baby delivery over the phone
Westchester County Executive George Latimer congratulated a local dispatcher for three baby deliveries - which were all done over the phone.
Annual Next-Generation 911 Revenues in the United States to Surpass $1 Billion by 2026
"Public safety answering points (PSAPs) must be equipped to keep up with disruptive technologies and advanced networks that have altered the way consumers and businesses communicate. NG911 represents an industry transformation that proactively enhances public safety...
Austin 911 has successfully transferred thousands of mental health calls to crisis clinicians (TX)
Austin 911 operators have successfully diverted thousands of calls to crisis clinicians as part of a program to better address mental health calls, according to a memo from Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon. APD’s Emergency Communications Center developed the Mental...
Dillard named next director of 911 Center | Local News | martinsvillebulletin.com (VA)
Tierra Dillard, deputy director of the Martinsville-Henry County 911 Center, has been named as its next director, effective July 1.
JFRD emergency dispatcher named 2022 National Telecommunicator of the Year (FL)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An emergency dispatcher with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department received top honors on Friday. JFRD dispatcher Alonda Oates was recognized nationally for helping save a woman trapped in a house fire. Oates has been named the 2022 National...
Raleigh 911 dispatcher says some shifts way below minimum coverage, putting public at risk – (NC)
Raleigh, N.C. — A Raleigh 911 dispatcher says public safety could be at risk if work conditions don't improve. She's leaving the job, burnt out from chronic staff shortages and low pay. "The job is stressful to start with, even under the best conditions," said Beth...
FCC Examines Location-Based Routing for Wireless 9-1-1 Calls (MD)
The Federal Communications Commission launched an examination into the state of technology that can more precisely route wireless 9-1-1 calls to the proper 9-1-1 call center, resulting in faster response times during emergencies. In these cases, the call could go to a...
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...
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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