Industry
Texas Counties Could See Cuts in 9-1-1 Funds
April 6, 2011San Antonio, Texas — A state-proposed $478,000 cut to 911 programs in rural counties near San Antonio won’t affect the number of first responders, but it might mean they can’t react as effectively.
Read full articleThe Needs of First Responders
April 1, 2011“Mr. Chairman, the needs of first responders are not being met,” said APCO International President Bill Carrow before the U.S. House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee. On Wednesday, Carrow and other Public Safety Alliance representatives testified at a hearing on the state of public safety communications since 9/11 and legislation to reallocate the D Block to public safety.
Read full articleDispatcher a ‘Hero’
April 1, 2011San Angelo, Texas — Laura Banda, a San Angelo police dispatcher, was recognized for her proficiency and calm nature during a March 2010 robbery and shooting. On Wednesday, San Angelo Police Chief Tim Vasquez presented Banda with the Silent Hero — a state award given by the Commission on State Emergency Communications.
Read full articleOfficials Discuss Sharing Communications Services
March 31, 2011Spurred by the desire to contain costs, a group of seven townships and cities — including Dublin, Grove City, Hilliard, Upper Arlington and Worthington — met yesterday to brainstorm setting up a joint communications center for their police and fire agencies. But some agencies that already handle dispatching for several jurisdictions weren’t invited.
Read full article9-1-1 Dispatcher Reprimanded in Mishandled Crash Call
March 31, 2011Franklin County, Ohio — A dispatcher with the Franklin County sheriff’s office has been disciplined for the way he handled a 9-1-1 call regarding a car crash in which two teenagers were killed on the Far West Side.
Read full articleNational Public Safety Telecommunications Week is April 10-16
March 30, 2011National Public Safety Telecommunications Week (April 10-16, 2011) was established by Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County (Calif.) Sheriff’s Office in 1981 to raise awareness of the hard work and dedication of 9-1-1 calltakers, dispatchers and other telecommunications staff.
Read full articleCity’s Crisis Center a Fortified ‘Bubble’
March 30, 2011Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. — The city’s new Emergency Operations Center — with a backup system to power the windowless building for six days and a police dispatch station for three north county cities — is scheduled to open the first week of May.
Read full articleFamily Files Claim Against Police, School Board
March 30, 2011Saying they want to ensure Jacksonville police and school employees know how to react next time, the parents of a Sandalwood basketball player who died during halftime of a game filed legal claims with the city. CPR was not administered until approximately 15 minutes after the call to 9-1-1.
Read full articleLegislation Makes Telecommunicator Training Available in Arkansas
March 24, 2011Little Rock, Ark. — At 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23, Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe signed a bill into law that makes minimum training available for public safety telecommunicators across the state. The bill, HB 1741 — now Act 640 — which was filed on Feb. 28, passed through the state House and Senate with no opposition.
Read full articleFCC Recharters the Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council
March 24, 2011The FCC is seeking nominations and expressions of interest for membership on the Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council (CSRIC). The Council is a Federal Advisory Committee that provides guidance, expertise, and recommendations to the Commission to improve the security, reliability and interoperability of the nation’s communications systems.
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