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FCC Action Paves Way for First-Ever Presidential Alert to be Aired Across U.S. on Nation’s Emergency Alert System
February 4, 2011The Federal Communications Commission took action to help pave the way for the first-ever presidential alert to be aired across the U.S. on the nation’s Emergency Alert System (EAS). The national test will help determine the reliability of the EAS system and its effectiveness in notifying the public of emergencies and potential danger nationwide and regionally.
Read full articleDelayed 9-1-1 Response a Valid Question
February 2, 2011Collier County, Fla. — Early one evening last October, John Hilton frantically performed CPR on his father as his wife, Shanelle, talked to a 9-1-1 dispatcher who assured her help was on the way. It was — only to the wrong house. What happened to the Hiltons is an example of a rare but elusive glitch in the county’s state-of-the art emergency dispatch system.
Read full articleGwinnett Cities Explore 9-1-1 Options
January 31, 2011Gwinnett County, Ga. — A growing number of Gwinnett County communities are looking to establish 9-1-1 call centers, absorbing a county role that city leaders say could improve police response times — and the bottom line. County officials don’t oppose the idea, but they question the need.
Read full articleInvestigation into Palo Alto Phantom Phone Calls Continues
January 31, 2011Palo Alto, Calif. — A spokeswoman for the manufacturer of a mobile device that sent hundreds of phantom calls to Palo Alto’s emergency communications center in a five-hour period earlier this month said Friday the company is working with local officials to track it down.
Read full articlePalo Alto Dispatch Center Receives 566 Phantom 9-1-1 calls in 5 Hours
January 31, 2011Palo Alto, Calif. — The unusual calls to the Palo Alto emergency communications center started two weeks ago Thursday. Around 8:30 p.m., a dispatcher picked up the line to find no one on the other end. Twenty seconds later, the center fielded another phantom 9-1-1 call. It was just the beginning.
Read full articleOakland Mayor & Police Chief Address Problems with Police Radio Systems
January 31, 2011Oakland, Calif. — The police radio system that went down during a high-speed chase and officer-involved shooting has malfunctioned several times before, and has since it was installed more than four years ago, police Chief Anthony Batts said Thursday.
Read full articleDisabled Man Uses Facebook to Summon Help During Kitchen Fire
January 27, 2011Spokane, Wash. — Smoke from a flaming toaster filled his living room quickly, but Robert “Bob” Chambers couldn’t call for help. Muscular dystrophy limits his movement, and the 51-year-old Spokane man’s phone was too far out of reach. So he turned to the chat room in an online computer game he accesses through Facebook.
Read full articleDallas County in on Radio Upgrade
January 27, 2011Dallas County commissioners said Tuesday that they want to replace the county’s antiquated radio communications system by pooling money with the city of Dallas, which has similar plans for its more than 40-year-old system.
Read full articleEmergency Notification System Proposed for Leominster
January 27, 2011Leominster, Ma. — In early December, alarmed residents of Debbie Drive wondered why state troopers with guns drawn were walking around the normally quiet neighborhood, while up above their homes, noisy helicopters were circling.
Read full articleNew San Ramon Valley Fire App Can Save Lives
January 26, 2011San Ramon, Calif. — The San Ramon Valley Fire Department unveiled Tuesday morning a groundbreaking iPhone application that allows users to be notified if someone nearby is suffering from sudden cardiac arrest in public places, restaurants, stores and parks. It bring up a map to show where the user is and where the victim is and the location of the nearest automated external defibrillator.
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