Fed Grants Support Regional Broadband Nets
As part of a $1.8 billion investment in the nation’s broadband infrastructure, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced on Wednesday grants to five regions to build new or improve existing public safety rad…
State’s Early Retirement Plan May Hit Dispatchers
An early retirement bill proposed by New York Gov. David Patterson (D) and passed by the legislature is now being considered by local governments as a way to reduce expenses and meet budget goals. The bill would allow local cities and towns to temporar…
Family Files Lawsuit Over Dog Shooting
A Colorado couple has filed a civil lawsuit in federal court after a Commerce City officer arrived at their home to investigate a hang-up 911 call, and fatally shot their dog. The officer said she feared for her life as the 35-pound, mixed-breed dog an…
Airborne Search and Rescue
The quick location and medical treatment of the victims are crucial to the successful outcome of the search and rescue mission.
Tragedy Strikes Wash. State Patrol
A nighttime fire destroyed the home of a husband and wife who were long-time members of the Washington State Patrol, killing them both and a rookie state police trooper who was temporarily residing with the couple. Anne Miller-Hewitt, director of the W…
Second NJ Court Case on Dispatcher Immunity
For the second time in one week, a New Jersey appeals court has reversed a lower court’s ruling of immunity for public safety dispatchers who are plaintiffs in a lawsuit that alleges they mishandled 911 calls. As in the previous case, the court a…
Public Expects Dispatchers To Be Watching Twitter
The nation’s public safety agencies should be monitoring their Web and social media sites so they can promptly respond to requests for help, according to those who answered a Red Cross survey on how the Internet fits into emergency service plans….
States Score ‘F’ On Human Resource Needs
The 50 states have failed to provide support for the human resource needs of the country’s public safety communications centers, according to an interim study by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO), resulting in an &#…
Court Rules in Long-Running Lawsuit
A New Jersey appeals court has issued its latest ruling in a lawsuit filed against the city of Newark almost 10 years ago alleging a dispatcher mishandled a 911 call reporting a kidnapping. The case highlights the need for very specific language if sta…
Court Rules in Long-Running Lawsuit
A New Jersey appeals court has issued its latest ruling in a lawsuit filed against the city of Newark almost 10 years ago alleging a dispatcher mishandled a 911 call reporting a kidnapping. The case highlights the need for very specific language if sta…