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CASSIDIAN Responds to New Zealand Emergency in Record Time
April 6, 2011Temecula, Calif., April 5, 2011– Cassidian, an EADS company, quickly responded to multiplerequests for increased mission critical communications capacity in the aftermath of a 6.3 earthquake that hit the country of New Zealand on February 22, 2011. The powerful earthquake struck near Christchurch – the country’s second largest city with a population of 386,000 – taking out buildings and power lines, and interrupting both landline and cellular networks.
Read full articleSlain Officer’s Family Sues County, 911 Administrators
April 6, 2011An attorney for the estate of slain Pittsburgh police Officer Eric Kelly sued Allegheny County and administrators of the 911 system yesterday, the two-year anniversary of the shootings that killed three officers in Stanton Heights.
Read full articleMunhall, Pa., Seeks 911 Monies
April 6, 2011Munhall, Pa. — Munhall officials once again are trying to get back money residents pay toward Allegheny County 9-1-1 because the borough has its own dispatch system. Borough solicitor Greg Evashavik has sent a letter to the county requesting the funds be paid back from the last several years.
Read full articleSLC May Lose Homeland Security Funds
April 6, 2011Salt Lake City may not be considered a top terrorist target, but it has benefited in the past from federal grants meant to help Utah’s capital city prepare for the worst. But Congress may dial back the number of cities that get the funds, leaving only the nation’s biggest metropolitan areas in the mix.
Read full articleTexas 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 articleAPCO International Hosts New Broadband Summit
April 1, 2011Daytona Beach, Fla. — APCO International will present its first Broadband Summit and Expo on May 16-18th at the Renaissance Dupont Circle in Washington, DC. This summit will engage both policymakers and practitioners in discussions on public safety broadband issues and industry demonstrations of LTE technology.
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 articleWhere’s the Money?
March 31, 2011Much of what Congress, the FCC and other federal agencies attempt to do in the realm of public safety telecommunications policy is to promote efficiency and enhanced capabilities, such as interoperability, broadband radio communications and NG9-1-1. In the private sector, these goals would be pursued in the interest of profits, potentially opening the door to capital investments to turn the goals into reality. The government sector obviously lacks a profit motive and must appropriate funds purely on the basis of improving the public good. That simple reality sometimes gets lost when telecommunications policy is being made.
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.
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