Posts From Public Safety Communications
Telecommunicator Spotlight: James Straker Brings New Hires Up to Speed
February 11, 2013“I loved that job. I loved being a dispatcher. I liked the fact it is a challenge, and we’re basically helping citizens. We help so many people—citizens, officers, each other. “
Read full articlePSFA Dedicates VA Building in Honor of APCO Past President Riddle
January 31, 2013Current and past APCO International leaders gathered on January 24 to dedicate the Virginia Office in the name of Gregory T. Riddle, Immediate Past President, in honor of a lifetime of distinguished service.
Read full articlePinellas County, Fla., Improves Fire Station Alerting
January 24, 2013Being awakened in the middle of a deep sleep by an urgent fire station alerting tone is never fun. But research indicates it could have serious effects on firefighters’ health, too. Although alerting is a necessary component of fire station life, one county is exploring ways it can be customized so that crews are only woken or notified when they’re truly needed to respond.
Read full articleWho’s Watching? Mentors & Mentees
January 14, 2013As I’ve mentioned in several of my past articles, I have been in public safety communications for just over 20…
Read full articleTelecommunicator Spotlight: Theresa Doyle Thrives in the Police Department’s Communications Bureau
January 8, 2013Currently serving as a communication technician III, Doyle says, “I really feel that communications is where I belong.”
Read full articleRemember the Responders
December 20, 2012In the wake of last week’s deadly shootings at Sandy Hill Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., the nation is mourning the victims: six teachers, 20 children and the mother of the shooter. Here, we also remember the telecommunicators who took the calls for help and the emergency personnel who responded to the scene.
Read full articleNY-TERT Response to Hurricane Sandy
December 20, 2012The weather phenomena most New York residents are unfamiliar with is the hurricane, which our state has seen the effects of twice in the past two years. These two hurricanes, Irene in 2011 and Sandy in 2012, generated multiple requests for TERT assistance from PSAPs and emergency communications centers across the state.
Read full articleWho Is Watching You?
December 20, 2012What we often forget is that, while we’re watching everything that goes on around us, someone is watching us.
Read full articleTelecommunicator Spotlight: Nancy Ray Is Passionate in Her Role as a ‘Lifeline’ for Cops
December 12, 2012Ray believes her job is to ensure law enforcement officers are safe and able to deal with the problem at hand.
Read full articleThe Consolidated PSAP: Overcoming Technical Challenges
December 6, 2012Register Today!
In light of increasing IT complexity and sophistication, the technical challenges to consolidation are greater than ever, and PSAPs must continue to provide uninterrupted service during the process. This webcast will show how the consolidated E9-1-1 center in Hamblen County, Tenn., faced and overcame such challenges.