Industry
FCC Adopts Initial Rules for a Nationwide Interoperable Public Safety Broadband Network
August 18, 2011The Commission adopts an initial set of rules necessary to ensure the development of a nationwide interoperable public safety broadband network. The establishment of a common air interface for 700 MHz public safety broadband networks will create a foundation for interoperability and provide a clear path for the deployment and evolution of the nationwide network.
Read full articleDeSoto Emergency 9-1-1 District Settles into New Facility
August 18, 2011DeSoto’s Emergency 911 District, an agency that’s staked the future of first-response calls on high-tech communication, is saying “howdy” from folksy new administrative digs.
Read full articleAdams County, Pa., Urged to Delay Public Safety Radio Purchase
August 17, 2011ADAMS COUNTY, Pa. — As Adams County negotiates buying a new digital radio system, a candidate running for commissioner said the current board should hold off on the $15 million to $30 million purchase. It’s a big chunk of change, said Paul Kellett. Plus, pending federal legislation could potentially pay for the whole project.
Read full articleNew Digital Radio System Lets Palm Beach Dispatchers Vocalize Info More Quickly
August 16, 2011PALM BEACH, Fla. — Gone are the old analog radios and scanners, available for years at Radio Shack. Palm Beach police now talk to each other on a digital telecommunications system called OpenSky, and Fire-Rescue will soon do the same. While some communities are feuding over its quality, Palm Beach is pleased with the OpenSky system’s performance, officials here said.
Read full articleWorcester Ramping Up System to Notify People of Emergencies
August 16, 2011WORCESTER, Ma. — The city has launched an electronic notification system to alert residents about emergencies and other critical community news. ALERTWorcester can notify signed-up residents about severe weather, unexpected road closures, utility problems, parking bans, fall leaf pick-ups, power outages, evacuations and other items of importance.
Read full articleMissouri 9-1-1 Center Deploys Smart911
August 16, 2011COLUMBIA COUNTY, Mo. — The Columbia and Boone County 911 center is the first in the state to use a “Smart911” system that provides personal and medical information about callers who register. The Public Safety Joint Communications Center began using the system Aug. 15.
Read full articleCupertino Responds to Civil Grand Jury Report on Emergency Services
August 16, 2011CUPERTINO, Calif. — The city of Cupertino has responded to three civil grand jury reports focusing on emergency dispatch, fire department response and the rehiring of pensioners. The reports were released in June.
Read full articleFCC Chair Outlines Steps to Accelerate Adoption of NG9-1-1
August 11, 2011The plan for a nationwide broadband network for public safety, NG9-1-1 and funding issues were at the top of the…
Read full articleA 9/11 Survival Story
August 11, 2011Practice. Priorities. Spirit. These are the lessons Fire Department of New York Chief Richard Picciotto learned on Sept. 11, 2001, when he led one of the largest rescue operations in the history of the United States.
Read full articleCity of Alamogordo (N.M.), County to Keep PSAPs
August 11, 2011ALAMOGORDO, N.M. — During its regular meeting Tuesday, the Alamogordo City Commission reconsidered a proposal from the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration to resolve the PSAP consolidation issue, a point of contention between local officials and the state for nearly a decade.
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