Operations
PSAPs in an Internet Age
December 9, 2010As a comm center manager or director, have you considered what impact the use of the Internet has on your personnel and center? What’s its value, if any? On Dec. 8, APCO Institute Adjunct Instructor Mark Boudreaux addressed these issues and their policy considerations during an APCO Institute webinar.
Read full articleNG9-1-1 Technology Implementation: Assessing Operational Impact
December 9, 2010As PSAPs and 9-1-1 authorities draft technical requirements for implementing next generation networks, they must also assess how these changes will affect existing systems their personnel interact with. Technical changes, even if minor, may require modifications to operational procedures, staffing levels and training.
Read full articleSeattle PD Dispatchers Tweet about Stolen Cars
December 2, 2010This week, the Seattle Police Department has begun using Twitter to disseminate information about stolen vehicles. The new protocol directly affects 9-1-1 center personnel, who have the task of tweeting the information.
Read full articleA Master Plan
December 1, 2010Business experts have long considered strategic planning a necessary tool for success, but we suspect that few comm centers develop and implement meaningful strategic plans. Strategic planning is rooted in future-oriented, proactive thinking that anticipates change and adopts long-term strategies to meet the demands of that change. In other words, it is a “master plan” for your comm center.
Read full articleWhat’s Your Mission?
November 30, 2010Have you checked out the discussion forums on PSConnect.org yet? If not, you’re missing out on a great opportunity to connect with your peers. One thread you may want to check out is on mission statements. A member of the Antarctic Fire Department has been tasked with revising the department’s mission statement, and several people have shared their mission statements in response.
Read full articleTips on How to Buy a 24/7, Intensive-Use Chair
November 19, 2010Almost all of the office chair manufacturers offer a 24/7, multi-shift chair in their product lineups, but in this article, we’ll be referring to a 24/7, intensive-use chair. What’s the difference? A 24/7, intensive-use chair is built to withstand the rigors of testing under the GSA FNEW-83-269E Intensive Use Ergonomic Furniture testing guidelines. These testing guidelines are anywhere from 10 to 100 times more difficult to pass than the ANSI/BIFMA testing standards.
Read full articleGetting the Green Light
November 18, 2010Exponential growth in the Houston-metro area and its resulting traffic gridlock have negatively affected Harris County’s emergency responders and their response times. Local emergency service districts are fighting back with technology and working together to expand an intelligent emergency preemption system to more county and state roads.
Read full articleOrchard Park, N.Y., Eyes Using Hamburg Dispatchers
November 14, 2010Hamburg , N.Y, town dispatchers could be dispatching calls for the Orchard Park Fire District. The fire district, which operates its own ambulance service and includes three volunteer fire companies, has negotiated with the Town of Hamburg, but has not yet signed a contract for the move.
Read full articleFrom Dungeon to Daylight
November 11, 2010In August, telecommuicators in the city of Santa Clara, Calif., got a new space to call home, an upgrade from an underground bunker with no natural daylight. The addition to the Santa Clara Police Department Headquarters includes the new comm center, and a community meeting and training room.
Read full articleHeart Attack Symptoms & Calling 9-1-1 Campaign for Women
November 11, 2010To encourage women over age 50 across the country to recognize the signs and symptoms of heart attack and call 9-1-1 promptly, the Office on Women’s Health has announced a Request for Applications for its Heart Attack Symptoms & Calling 9-1-1 Campaign for Women. Funding is available for activities and events in support of the campaign.
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