Industry
DHS Launches Month-Long Multi-Band Radio Pilot During Nascar Events at Phoenix International Raceway
February 23, 2011Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate today announced the kick-off of a 30-day multi-band radio pilot for emergency responders, to begin Friday during opening day of NASCAR events at the Phoenix International Raceway. Fifteen participating law enforcement and emergency management partners across the state will incorporate technology into their daily operations and provide feedback on its utility.
Read full articleWest Virginia Developing Electronic Medical Registry
February 23, 2011West Virginians will be able soon to convey their end-of-life choices electronically with paramedics, emergency room physicians and other health care providers. A project being coordinated by the West Virginia Center for End of Life Care and the West Virginia Health Information Network, or WVHIN, is now in the development stage with pilot programs scheduled to begin later this year.
Read full articleFCC Chairman Julius Genachowski Highlighted at 9-1-1 Honors Gala
February 23, 2011Washington, D.C. —The partners of the 9-1-1 Goes to Washington and 9-1-1 Honors Gala announced today that Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski will be the featured speaker at the 9-1-1 Honors Gala for 2011.
Read full articleOne-Hour Delay, 9-1-1 Procedures Probed in Fatal Crash
February 23, 2011Columbus, Ohio — Columbus police are investigating how 911 operators handled the initial call Sunday morning on a Far West Side crash that killed two teenagers. More than an hour elapsed before officers responded.
Read full articleMix-Up Probed in Fatal Brooklyn Fire
February 22, 2011Brooklyn, N.Y. — A dispatching error delayed the response of a second engine company to Saturday’s deadly five-alarm fire in Brooklyn, prompting the FDNY to launch an internal probe. Dispatchers sent Engine Co. 248 to the blaze in the six-story apartment building, not realizing the unit was already helping a cop who had accidentally shot himself.
Read full article9-1-1 Dispatchers Handling More Foreign-Language Calls
February 22, 2011Hall County, Ga. — Calltaker John Hanes recognized the sounds on the other end of his telephone line, even if he didn’t know the words being spoken. The person had dialed 911 with an emergency.
Read full articleiPhone Theft Suspects Tripped Up by GPS App
February 22, 2011Chicago — Ed Scanlan used his iPhone to fight back against the guys who allegedly mugged him. His secret weapon: a computer service that allows iPhone users to find their phones using GPS technology.
Read full articlePalo Alto Asks FCC to Investigate Phantom Calls that Flooded Dispatch Center
February 22, 2011Palo Alto, Calif. — The Palo Alto Police Department on Wednesday asked the Federal Communications Commission to investigate a mobile device that flooded the city’s emergency communications center with 566 calls over a five-hour period in January, according to a police official.
Read full articleDispatch Center Ineligible for Historic List
February 22, 2011Spokane, Wash. — Spokane’s former fire dispatch center likely will meet the same fate as its next-door neighbor – the YMCA in Riverfront Park. The Spokane City-County Historic Landmarks Commission decided Wednesday that the building is not eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, clearing the way for the city to demolish it.
Read full articleReality on the Ground
February 17, 2011“When an emergency happens, we rely on first responders like police, firefighters and public safety officials to keep us from harm. Far too often we talk about the important role these brave first responders play, but fail to give them the tools they need to do their job,” said Sen. John D. Rockefeller at Wednesday’s hearing on Safeguarding Our Future: Building a Nationwide Network for First Responders.
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