NICE
PSC eNews Weekly
Friday, September 17, 2021

On September 15, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed legislation that includes a $10 billion grant program for deployment of Next Generation 9-1-1. This landmark legislation promotes many key principles championed by APCO and its partners in the Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition. Importantly, this legislation includes provisions that ensure complete end-to-end NG9-1-1 deployment, interoperability, cybersecurity and reliability. It also preserves state and local control of NG9-1-1 and makes funding available for training. States would have to adopt sustainable funding mechanisms to ensure continued operations, maintenance and upgrades after the federal grant program concludes. The legislation is the product of collaborative discussions with other key stakeholders and has widespread support throughout the public safety community. Our appreciation extends in particular to House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle, and House NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus Co-Chair Anna Eshoo. See the related Coalition press release here.

The House Committee bill next advances to the House Budget Committee and then on to the full House of Representatives as part of a final reconciliation bill package. The Senate will be taking on similar efforts, and in this regard, also on September 15, Senate NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus Co-Chair Amy Klobuchar and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto introduced an identical NG9-1-1 bill.

The actions thus far in the House and Senate are very important and encouraging steps. But more work remains. APCO will continue its advocacy efforts along with its public safety partners to ensure that public safety communications professionals receive the resources they need to fully upgrade to NG9‑1‑1.

 

The Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition is a diverse group of stakeholders representing public safety including 9-1-1, fire, emergency medical, and law enforcement professionals who are united behind legislative principles that address the needs and concerns of public safety. Learn about the Coalition’s efforts to pass legislation that enables a nationwide upgrade to Next Generation 9-1-1. 

Join us virtually November 2-4 for the Emerging Technology Forum for this presentation and many more. Earn 12 CDEs at your desk and registration is just $25 for APCO members, but all are welcome to attend.

Register 

 

The APCO Institute recently opened registration for an updated Communications Training Officer (CTO) course – CTO 6th Edition. This course provides comprehensive training to experienced telecommunicators on the roles and responsibilities of CTOs in running an agency’s training program. An updated version for CTO instructors is also available. Delivery of the CTO 6th Edition courses begin in January 2022. Free 6th Edition Update courses are being offered for a limited time. Learn more

 
Comtech Safety & Security Technologies
Hexagon Safety & Infrastructure
  • General Illuminations: Active listening skills for telecommunicators
  • CTO: Troubleshooting learning challenges with trainees
  • EMD: Investigating common syncope causes

Learn more

 

Glen Gosnell is currently the director of public safety for Washington County, New York. Gosnell began his career with Washington County in May of 1999 as a communications officer. Prior to his promotion to director in October 2016, he had served as a supervising communications officer for 13 years. Gosnell also serves as the chairman of the Adirondack Regional Interoperable Communications Consortium, which encompasses 14 counties equaling 32% of New York. Read more

 
Industry News
Herald-Star
The commission had dissolved the previous board, saying its records were inconsistent.
 
13 WNYT.com
Officials said public safety telecommunicators will be able to take advantage of additional training opportunities.
 
Eventide Inc
WXII 12
After five Somalis died in a fire, public safety telecommunicator Jeri Phillips developed a program that brings telecommunicators into the communities of non-English speakers to teach them how to seek help in an emergency.
 
ABC 36 WTVQ
Chris Bowman, now the county’s E-911 director, has worked as a telecommunicator since 2002 and continues to handle dispatching. He has also served as the county’s GIS coordinator.
 
 
TC Communications
Training | Services | Technology | Advocacy | Community | Membership

 

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