Operations
Legislation 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 articleArkansas 9-1-1 Dispatchers Get Minimum Training Signed into Law
March 23, 2011Although many cities, counties and agencies in Arkansas provide training for 9-1-1 telecommunicators, there is not a state requirement. But that is beinging to change: HB1741 will be signed by the governor today. Although it is not mandatory, it will make training available through the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy.
Read full articleFlorida Councilman Learns that a Call to 9-1-1 from Cell May Be Rerouted
March 22, 2011Palm Beach, Fla. — Councilman Robert Wildrick learned through experience that a cell phone call placed in Palm Beach to 9-1-1 may get bounced around before ringing in at the town’s telecommunications center at the police station. Wildrick used his cell phone when he found himself face-to-face with an emergency situation last season at the docks of the North End’s Sailfish Club.
Read full article9-1-1 Center Helps Youngsters Practice for Real Call
March 21, 2011Allegheny County, Pa. — Emma Mahathey knew exactly what to do when her mother suffered an injury falling down a flight of stairs: remain calm and call 9-1-1. The McClellan Elementary School second-grader stayed composed as she answered questions from 9-1-1 dispatcher Lee Silnutzer.
Read full articleSpoofing Still Plagues PSAPs
March 17, 2011PSAPs across the country are still experiencing issues with spoofing, which refers to a caller’s ability to modify caller ID, including the name and number. Although it seems like just a harmless prank, spoofing can tie up emergency resources. The FCC is currently accepting comments on regulations to prohibit this misrepresentation.
Read full articleThe Trouble with Spoofing
March 17, 2011Editor’s note: The following article outlines why public safety comm center personnel should understand spoofing and the dangers it poses…
Read full articleThe Guilt Factor
March 17, 2011Although communications technologies that help people stay connected to the workplace are often seen as a way to balance work and family life, a new study in the March issue of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior suggests there may be a downside to using these technologies for workers’ health—and these effects seem to differ for women and men.
Read full articleBaby Delivery in Watsonville, Calif., Guided by 9-1-1 Dispatcher
March 17, 2011Santa Cruz, Calif. — Edgar Sandoval was frantic. His wife, Mirtha Padilla, was going into labor with their second child at their home on Cirvelo Street in Watsonville – but there wasn’t enough time to get to Sutter Hospital in Santa Cruz where she was due to deliver.
Read full articleThe NG9-1-1 Learning Curve
March 10, 2011Trying to master all the Next Generation 9-1-1 technological complexities is simply unrealistic. It may be more helpful for 9-1-1 officials to accept the complexities and try to understand why our new 9-1-1 systems can’t be viewed in the same straightforward manner as the past system. This understanding will provide a foundation for determining the type of technical, subject matter expertise 9-1-1 authorities and PSAP managers must have access to when drafting requirements for an NG9-1-1 system in their region.
Read full articleOfficer Down
March 10, 2011As a dispatcher, the first signal you learn — 10-24 — is also the last one you ever want to use: officer down/officer needs assistance. Veteran dispatcher Cindra Dunaway discusses her 2003 experience on night shift, when this signal came over the radio channel and how the incident and police officer personally affected every telecommunicator and officer at the station.
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