Achieving Next Generation 9-1-1 throughout the country requires that public safety professionals actively engage in defining their needs. The guidance document suggests the use of objectives-based RFPs and inviting innovative approaches rather than seeking solutions that comply with specific standards. Interoperability must be a primary objective, and it is the role of the solution providers, not public safety, to ensure that their products and services will be interoperable. To support these goals, the document includes several comprehensive and modern definitions used in proposed federal legislation for NG9-1-1, and questions to ask vendors as part of the procurement process. View the guidance document.
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Jason E. Kern, CPE, RPL, of Illinois, was announced as the winner of a contested election for APCO second vice president at the APCO 2019 Second General Business Session this week. He joins First Vice President Margie Moulin, RPL, First Vice President Tracey M. Hilburn, RPL, ENP, and Immediate Past President Holly Wayt, ENP, RPL, on the new executive committee. In addition to conducting association business, conference attendees heard updates from FirstNet, the FCC and the Department of Homeland Security at the session. Read all the news from APCO 2019.
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APCO’s Candidate ANS Standard on Public Safety Communications Center Key Performance Indicators provides another quality improvement and monitoring tool for ECC managers and directors. The goal of this standard is to provide fundamental key performance indicators (KPIs) inherent in all ECC work, regardless of size, services or location. Learn more.
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With so many changes in regulations, technology and equipment, APCO’s Emerging Technology Forum, taking place October 8-9, in Denver, will help you to stay on top of the latest developments. The program includes sessions on cybersecurity, FirstNet, NG911, legislative updates and more. Register today.
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APCO’s Emergency Communications Center Crisis Response Taskforce delivered its final report at APCO 2019. The report includes a best practices reference guide to assist agencies in developing agency-specific plans to respond to critical incidents that may have a significant impact on center operations and the public. Download the report and guide.
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During APCO 2019, the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) released a new Roadmap for the future of the nationwide public safety broadband network, building on feedback from public safety about their most important communications capabilities.
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EMS World
The U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Commerce announced more than $109 million in grants to 34 states and two tribal nations as part of the 911 Grant Program, which will help emergency communications centers upgrade to Next Generation 9-1-1 capabilities.
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RCR Wireless News
The First Responders Network Authority will be receiving about $18 billion in payments from AT&T over the 25-year-term of its contract to build out and operate the nationwide FirstNet network for public safety.
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KOAA News 5
Outdated mapping technology and cell phone privacy settings can make it difficult to know someone’s exact location when they call 9-1-1.
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IOT Australia
The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) has taken its first steps toward developing standards for IoT applications in emergency communications, issuing a report that looks at how IoT can be used to enhance emergency calling, internal emergency communications, public warning systems and automated emergency response.
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Governing
A spike in cyberattacks in recent months has left state and local governments reeling. Baltimore faces more than $18 million in losses following a May ransomware attack. Several Florida cities were hit in June and Los Angeles police data was hacked in late July. Cybersecurity and risk management is at the top of CIOs' list of 10 priorities for 2019 according to an annual NASCIO survey.
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Dayton Daily News
The Ohio Department of Administrative Services gave all dispatch centers a deadline of April 1, 2019 to either be emergency medical dispatch certified or to submit a timeline for compliance. Officials said that many smaller dispatch centers did not have an EMD certification prior to the new compliance, but all centers should be EMD certified now
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Grand Forks Herald
Public safety officials in Pennington County (Minnesota) are preparing to start using video chat software to interact with 9-1-1 callers next month, giving them the ability to see what's happening on the scene of an emergency.
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US News
When her mother collapsed at home, Lindsey Bomgren immediately called 9-1-1 then asked the dispatcher to coach her through CPR. Because of the dispatcher's role in helping save her mother's life Bomgren now advocates for a proposed state law requiring public safety telecommunicators to be trained in how to help callers in such situations.
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Telegram.com
Three Uxbridge police officers were recognized for their heroic efforts in saving two injured teenagers from a burning car. One of them, senior dispatcher Jesse Miller, received a distinguished service award for calmly talking the teens through how to get out of the car via the back seat just before the car was engulfed in flames.
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WDEF 12 News
Christopher Whitaker, a Rhea County (Tennessee) 9-1-1 dispatcher, was recently named Wettermark-Keith First Responder of the Month.
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Idaho State Journal
Patrolman Tyler Anderson and dispatcher Diana Rich of the Pocatello (Idaho) Police Department are being credited with saving the life of a man who nearly died from a massive heart attack. Rich had the wife begin CPR but realized she was struggling, so Rich located a police unit with an AED a few blocks away to come help until the ambulance arrived.
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ABC 7 NY
A toddler was revived after being found unconscious in a pool in New Jersey, due in part to the public safety telecommunicator who gave instructions for CPR and rerouted two EMTs to the medical emergency.
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