Latest news with #EmergencyCommunications
CBS News
09-08-2025
- CBS News
Man accused of removing St. Paul sewer grates and dropping them into drains
A St. Paul man has been charged for his role in several storm sewer vandalism incidents around the city, announced the Ramsey County Attorney's Office on Friday. According to court documents, St. Paul has been dealing with repeated incidents since June. Several hundred storm sewer grates were removed and dropped into the storm drains. Court documents say that on Wednesday, Ramsey County Emergency Communications Center received several reports about a man dropping sewer grates into holes in downtown St. Paul — one incident near Ninth and Temperance Streets and another at Seventh and Wabasha Street. Around 9:45 that morning, a woman fell into a sewer drain that was missing a grate near Ninth and Temperance Streets. At the time, she was carrying a child. The woman reported pain after falling, though the child was uninjured, according to the court documents. Police were able to view video of the man removing the grates on Wednesday. The next morning, they encountered him outside the Higher Ground shelter in St. Paul. According to the court documents he was wearing the same clothing as seen on the video. During an interview with police, the 34-year-old man admitted to removing the grates because they were "dirty and needed to be cleaned out." He also admitted to police that he had not been given permission, per the charging documents. He has been charged with five counts of first-degree damage to property. Residents are asked to email St. Paul Public Works if there is a drain missing. Police are also asking residents to check home surveillance photos or video if a drain is missing or damaged.
CBS News
03-07-2025
- CBS News
Anoka County 911 center testing AI to screen nonemergency calls, ease workload
How 911 dispatchers are using AI to handle nonemergency calls on busy nights How 911 dispatchers are using AI to handle nonemergency calls on busy nights How 911 dispatchers are using AI to handle nonemergency calls on busy nights Skies will be lighting up with fireworks on Friday, but so will 911 lines. Emergency response dispatchers face a flood of calls on the fourth. On average, about 1,900 calls come into the c Facility (ECF) in Plymouth. Officials say that number spikes on July Fourth. In 2021, over 2,700 calls came in 24 hours. "The Fourth of July is probably our busiest holiday we see," said Tony Martin, Director of Emergency Communications at Hennepin County Sheriff's Office. Martin says local 911 centers are overloaded, the surge largely due to an uptick in nonemergency fireworks complaints, meaning one less dispatcher available to answer a call for a crime in progress, a medical emergency or a fire. "We would ask people to call our nonemergency number if you need to call in fireworks complaints," Martin said. As the calls start to roll in on the Fourth of July weekend, Anoka County's 911 center is tapping into an artificial intelligence system to screen nonemergency calls to ease the workload and get to more calls. The call will be transferred to the automated system to collect details before sending it back to the dispatcher to send to the appropriate agency. "You can't take the human out of 911, but if we are also going to be here, we need to be more available for the emergencies," said Kari Morrissey with Anoka County Emergency Communications Center. Morrissey says this new system is being rolled out this holiday weekend to test how well it works before the full rollout to use AI during major holidays. "It's going to save us, we think about two to three minutes per call, and will free up dispatchers to get to those priority calls," Morrissey said. Saving critical time, when every second counts. In Minneapolis, residents can call 311 for noise complaints. In Anoka County, the non-emergency number is 763-427-1212. In Hennepin County, the non-emergency number is 952-258-5321.
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Maine's first official comfort dog is found dead in sweltering hot state vehicle
The death of Maine 's first official comfort dog is under investigation after the beloved pooch was left to bake to death inside a state vehicle. Baxter, 3, a Chocolate Labrador retriever, was found dead inside the vehicle late last month while it was parked at the Bangor Regional Communications Center in Bangor. Officials in the Pine Tree State said the pup had been left in the running vehicle but that something caused the engine to cut out, causing the air conditioning to stop. At the time, the National Weather Service said that Bangor had reached a high temperature of 83 degrees. The Department of Public Safety said that the vehicle in question was undergoing a inspection to identify any potential faults. On Wednesday, the department said it would be investigating the circumstances surrounding the dog's death. The probe is being led by the Animal Welfare Program, which forms part of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF). Baxter had joined the state bureau of Emergency Communications in 2022 to offer emotional support to telecommunicators at three regional dispatch centers. State officials said the pup had been left in the running vehicle but that something caused the engine to cut out, causing the air conditioning to stop Laura Barker, founder of Hero Pups, a non profit that provides dogs to first responders, described Baxter as being 'a great dog with a love for life.' 'During the training process we go through a lot of the obedience, the dogmanship stuff, the handling, the transportation,' she told WABI5. 'We can make recommendations, but once the dog leaves us we don't have any say on that matter anymore. 'I'm hoping this will get people talking and really be more committed to the care of the dogs on a broader scope, not just doing a job.' Barker added that Baxter had made a huge impact in people's lives in his short time, adding that his handler was 'devastated'. She had set up the organization to support veterans and first responders after her son was wounded in Afghanistan. Baxter was the first comfort dog the organization had sent to Maine. He came from a litter that needed constant care due to his mother's health issues. 'His calming and cheerful presence will be deeply missed by all those who interacted with him,' the DPS said in a statement following Baxter's passing. 'The department extends its deepest condolences to Baxter's handler and his family, as well as the entire emergency telecommunication team.'
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Arlington launches new 911 protocols for dispatchers to enhance response efficiency
ARLINGTON, Va. () — Arlington County is taking a new approach to its Emergency Communications Center (ECC) to improve response effectiveness for 911 calls. The county announced Friday that it will implement the Priority Dispatch System () for all medical emergencies, fires and police calls. This new protocol standardizes call-taking and response that guide dispatchers through every emergency. Youngkin calls Arlington County Board's ICE policy a 'dereliction of duty' Officials noted that the advanced dispatch system marks a significant step forward to ensure efficiency, high-quality and consistent responses for a variety of calls. The new enhancements on the PDS include: Improved Response Efficiency: Emergency responders receive critical information faster and more accurately. Consistent Call Handling: All callers receive the same high standard of care, regardless of the situation or dispatcher. Life-Saving Pre-Arrival Instructions: Dispatchers can provide medically approved guidance over the phone before first responders arrive, including CPR, bleeding control, and childbirth support. Better Resource Management: Calls are prioritized based on severity, helping reduce strain on emergency services and ensuring critical incidents get the fastest response. 'We're proud to join the growing number of agencies nationwide using this gold-standard system,' said Jacob Saur, ECC Administrator. 'An important thing for residents to remember is that as soon as the dispatcher has identified the location and main issue—what we call the Chief Complaint—help is being dispatched right away. Help is already on the way, so do not be worried as the dispatcher may continue with further questioning.' The county said 911 dispatchers have completed extensive training and are ready to handle over 80,000 calls that come in each year. The ECC will launch the new protocols for medical and fire calls this month. The new protocols for police calls will begin in July. With the new system in place, all callers are encouraged to remain calm and listen carefully when calling 911. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
