Today, May 1, 2020 | 1:00 p.m. ET | Free to All
In our continuing effort to provide updates and help 9-1-1 centers benefit from lessons learned, APCO and NICE are co-hosting another COVID-19 webinar, featuring a Q&A with 9-1-1 leaders from emergency communication centers around the country. They’ll update you on new developments since the last webinar and take questions to help your 9-1-1 center stay ahead of this rapidly evolving situation. Find out how they’re coping in the current crisis, what has worked, what hasn’t, and what they’re planning next.
This webinar will be an interactive Q&A and information sharing session, so please submit your questions to PSInfo@nice.com ahead of the live webinar.
Register now
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On April 23, the Federal Communications Commission adopted new rules that will substantially expand unlicensed operations in the 6 GHz spectrum band, which is heavily relied upon by public safety agencies for mission critical communications. The new rules permit “standard power” unlicensed devices to operate under the control of an automated frequency coordination system intended to protect incumbent services, and indoor-only “low power” devices that would operate independently. APCO expressed numerous concerns that the FCC’s order would fail to ensure there are effective measures in place to protect public safety communications from harmful interference. Unfortunately, the FCC did not address these concerns. APCO is exploring additional options for ensuring that public safety is fully protected.
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Every organization is susceptible to a cyberattack and ECCs are no exception. Prepare your ECC for this very real possibility by attending APCO’s newest cutting-edge training, Cybersecurity Fundamentals for the ECC. This course was developed based on the real-life experiences of public safety cybersecurity experts and ECC professionals and identifies relevant, vital information to prepare and respond in the event of a cyberattack.
This class was rescheduled to July 15, 2020, in Forsyth, GA. Space is limited. Register
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Public safety agencies use the APCO International Agency Training Program Certification as a formal mechanism to ensure their training programs meet APCO American National Standards (ANS). Initial and continuing training for public safety telecommunicators is important as they provide essential services to the public in an expanding and rapidly changing environment.
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State Scoop
New Orleans public safety telecommunicators are tracking the whereabouts of infected citizens and even scheduling grocery deliveries.
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Fox 5
Tracy Shelton, General Manager at the McConnell Public Safety and Transportation Operations Center in Fairfax, Virginia, said staff appreciated the community support demonstrated by the meal deliveries.
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GCN
Technological challenges faced by public safety agencies include an increased possibility of cyber threats, the need to find a balance between individual privacy and public health, more strains on bandwidth from so many remote users, and lack of mutual aid because everyone is overwhelmed.
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ABC 4 News
Public safety telecommunicators can see on a map whether householders are recorded in the state’s public health database as having tested positive for the virus.
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EIN News
Public safety telecommunicators are among the essential workers named as deserving to be “protected and supported at work and at home.”
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Originally published in the May/June 2020 issue of PSC magazine.
By Zachary Dykes
You’ve just been promoted and have ascended to the rank of manager or director. You’re now in a position of influence, and every decision you make and every policy or procedure you implement will impact not only the staff of your center, but the citizens and responders in your service area. Congratulations, you’ve just taken on a vast responsibility.
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News Channel 21
The app, designed by people with a background as first responders, allows people to send information to public safety telecommunicators after they have called 9-1-1.
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WSYR-TV
The calls were never actually diverted to Onondaga County public safety telecommunicators because New York City ECCs were not overwhelmed.
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The Newnan Times-Herald
Michael Terrell, 9-1-1/Emergency Management Agency director, gave a virtual tour of the newly remodeled Coweta County (Ga.) ECC on Facebook Live. Among other improvements, the size of the center was increased from 10 positions to 18 and new modern consoles were installed.
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Trib Live
Pittsburgh-area officials said people might be hesitant to call 9-1-1 if it means going to a hospital where coronavirus patients are being treated.
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The Orange Leader
A survey shows that dramatically increased costs for supplies and the need to fill positions of emergency technicians out sick have created challenges for agencies providing ambulance services. The pandemic has also resulted in decreased call volume.
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Wicked Local
Public safety telecommunicators will ask callers about viral symptoms among household residents and ask that first responders be met at the door.
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WHCU
Tompkins County’s Department of Emergency Services Director Lee Shurtleff began working for the county in 1988 as a fire public safety telecommunicator and served as director of emergency response since 2002.
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