"Public Safety Communications"
NG9-1-1: Why Move Forward?
July 1, 2010In light of current economic challenges, many PSAPs and municipalities are wrestling with when they should start planning for Next Generation 9-1-1. Implementing new systems is potentially costly, and justifying the expense and planning time is often difficult. So we must ask, “What’s really in it for me?” Let’s examine some components and tangible short-term benefits.
Read full articleCalling All Prognosticators!
June 25, 2010What will public safety communications look like in the year 2030? We’d like to hear your ideas. The winning entry, chosen by the editors of Public Safety Communications and APCO, will receive a $150 American Express gift certificate and will be published in an upcoming issue of PSC.
Read full articleNG9-1-1: Call Routing & Location Validation
June 1, 2010Last month, we discussed the significant changes involved in implementing NG9-1-1 systems, including the difference between implementing IP capability and the NENA i3 specification. Although IP capability is a major and necessary step in the right direction, this backbone is only one step. Understanding how 9-1-1 calls find their way to your PSAP and how locations are deemed valid is the next step.
Read full articleInjury Severity Prediction
May 1, 2010Discussion of Advanced Automatic Collision Notification and its implications for the comm center, including discussion of the development of a standard by APCO, NENA and members of the telematics service providers to integrate that information into 9-1-1 ALI data.
Read full articleNG9-1-1: Navigating Unfamiliar Territory
May 1, 2010During the past several months many of those who work in the public and private sectors of the 9-1-1 industry have engaged in discussions about Next Generation 9-1-1. For many, these discussions have been more confusing than enlightening. Here I address the use of the term NG9-1-1 and provide a better explanation of where we’re going from here.
Read full articleMishandled 9-1-1 Calls
April 1, 2010Today’s 9-1-1 comm centers must learn to deal with public scrutiny in a world with 24-hour media. Article includes tips to prevent call mishandling and manage the investigation during such incidents.
Read full articleReview: MX Desk Mount LCD Arm
April 1, 2010The M-NCPPC Montgomery County (Md.) Park Police Communications Center installed and reviewed Ergotron’s new MX Desk Mount LCD Arm.
Read full articleAnonymous Calls
April 1, 2010Implications of U.S. Supreme Court rulings, including Alabama v. White, Florida v. J.L. and Terry v. Ohio,for dispatchers and their communications with law enforcement.
Read full articleTarmac Delays & Public Safety
March 1, 2010At the end of April 2010, the Passenger Bill of Rights will go into effect, creating the potential for telecommunicators to receive wireless 9-1-1 calls from airline passengers stranded on the Tarmac.
Read full articleCloud Computing
March 1, 2010In his March column, APCO International Executive Director George Rice discusses the implications of cloud computing technology for public safety communications.
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