Operations
More Than 30 Cities Out of Federal Grant Program
May 20, 2011San Antonio — More than 30 smaller and mid-sized U.S. cities are losing about $170 million in federal anti-terrorism funding that began after the 9/11 attacks, perplexing some local officials at a time when information gleaned from Osama bin Laden’s hideout suggests al-Qaida is being encouraged to attack smaller targets.
Read full articleA Modest Proposal
May 19, 2011Public safety has made great strides in achieving interoperability since 9/11. The focus on interoperability also highlighted the need to maintain operability during large incidents, such as earthquakes, tsunamis and storms. The traditional approach has been to build strong infrastructure and backup systems that can ride out the incident. However, it’s clear that the power of nature can’t be completely overcome.
Read full articleWhat ‘Location’ Means
May 12, 2011Discussions on Next Generation 9-1-1 often include the topic of location. Many aspects must be considered to ensure we’re all on the same page with regard to what location truly means. The increase in multi-line phone system, mobile device and Voice over Internet Protocol usage has made 9-1-1 location acquisition much more complex. In this article, we’ll review the basics of Enhanced 9-1-1 location, and issues currently creating confusion, which may continue with NG9-1-1 if not addressed.
Read full articleExperience Through the Ranks
May 11, 2011In some police departments sworn officers — and even those of rank — are playing a key role in disseminating information, interacting with the media and also serving as their agency’s spokesperson. Capt. Paul Starks of the Montgomery County Maryland Police Department is a good example of someone filling this role.
Read full articleA 9-1-1 Dispatcher Car for NASCAR
May 5, 2011If you had the opportunity to raise the visibility of your profession, would you take it? This spring APCO International Florida Executive Council Representative Debbie Gailbreath is participating in a contest to do just that by unconventional means: designing a 9-1-1 Dispatcher Car for NASCAR.
Read full articleAn Effective Force Multiplier
May 4, 2011A fight between two teenagers breaks out in a small pocket park in downtown Redlands, Calif. A dispatcher quickly turns a surveillance camera on the incident and surveys the scene while calling an officer to respond. Those around the scene do nothing to break up the fight, while one of the combatants receives a kick to the head. The perpetrator begins to leave the scene as a responding officer arrives. Arrest made, evidence on file, case closed.
Read full articleEnter the Cameras
April 29, 2011Prospect Park in Redlands, Calif., is a charming and beautiful wooded area that hosts the yearly Redlands Theatre Festival. But it wasn’t always a desirable place for an afternoon stroll or a place to spend Sundays with your family. For too long, the park was a prime location for drug-related crimes, but that was before “the cameras.”
Read full articleFirst-Ever National EAS Test Could Flood PSAPs
April 27, 20119-1-1 centers could experience a strong burst of calls when the first-ever national test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) is conducted later this year. During the national EAS test, no matter where citizens tune, they will hear the same EAS tones and message. Public overreaction is a distinct possibility.
Read full articleDozing Murray County 9-1-1 Dispatchers Lose Jobs
April 27, 2011Chatsworth, Ga. — When two calls from a medic unit went unanswered at Murray County’s 911 dispatch office, a video showed the dispatcher with her bare feet propped on her desk, her eyes closed and her head tilted to one side, according to county records.
Read full articleAPCO’s Orlando Roundtable
April 20, 2011The evolution of technology, from Next Generation 9-1-1 to social media, is increasing the number of platforms citizens can use — or want to use — to reach emergency services and the backbones by which these “calls” are transmitted. This concept was a common thread throughout the technical and operations discussions during APCO International’s third Technology Roundtable.
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