Latest news with #NationalPublicSafetyTelecommunicatorsWeek
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Counties call on state to stop diverting 911 funds
The New York State Association of Counties has released recommendations for strengthening 911 services in New York. The report outlines the challenges counties face, exposes critical funding issues and provides policy recommendations to build a stronger emergency communications system, including urging the state to end the diversion of 911 funds, according to a news release from the association. The recommendations come during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. 'As we celebrate the heroes who provide comfort, direction and immediate action in times of crisis, this report is a call to action and a reminder that our public safety systems are only as strong as the people and infrastructure behind them,' NYSAC President Ben Boykin, of Westchester County, said in a statement. 'What better way to honor these heroic 911 dispatchers than by providing them with the resources and tools to do what they do best: save lives,' NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario said in a statement. 'This report provides a clear path forward to build a safer, smarter 911 system for all New Yorkers and we call on our partners at the state to join us in this effort.' For decades, counties have managed, operated and funded the state's 911 systems. 'What began as simple call centers have evolved into sophisticated Public Safety Answering Points ... that dispatch emergency services across entire counties,' the release stated. 'As demands on these systems continue to grow, counties are grappling with rising costs, aging infrastructure, staffing shortages and the pressing need to transition to 'Next Generation 911' technology that allows for more advanced communication, including text, photo, video and precise GPS location capabilities.' 'Despite these growing responsibilities, New York state continues to divert a significant portion of the funds collected for emergency communications,' the release stated. While New Yorkers pay more than $270 million annually through the Public Safety Communications Surcharge, more than $1.3 billion has been redirected to the state's general fund since 2009, according to FCC data cited in the release. 'These diversions have left counties to stretch limited resources while trying to upgrade critical infrastructure and prepare for the next generation of emergency response,' the release stated. In addition to calling for an end to the diversion of Public Safety Communications Surcharge funds, the report also recommends that counties receive 'consistent, annual funding to maintain and upgrade emergency communications infrastructure.' To further support local efforts, the report advocates streamlining the state grant process to reduce administrative burdens and expedite critical investments. Finally, it 'highlights the importance of stronger coordination between counties and the state to foster regional partnerships and ensure seamless collaboration during emergencies,' according to the release. 'We cannot afford to continue relying on outdated systems and inconsistent funding,' Boykin said.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Brownwood honors 911 dispatchers during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
ABILENE, Texas () – National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 14-18, honors dispatchers who assess a situation and dispatch emergency services and law enforcement. When the phone rings, someone is prepared to answer and assess calls for help. Brownwood 911 Dispatcher and shift supervisor Justin Storch stated that the job requires various skills. 'We're gathering information, ensuring public safety, officer safety, and then protection of property,' Storch said. 'As soon as we get a call, we have to decide what kind of call it is, and in seconds, get it on the board and get it out to an officer so they can respond as quick as possible.' Dispatchers navigate chaos, occasionally having to deliver babies and provide CPR over the phone. Abilene Communications Manager, Lindsey Hoxsey, mentioned that this can be challenging. 'The harder ones are going to be CPR and stuff that deals with infants that don't come out great. You know, whenever somebody wakes up next to somebody that's passed away overnight, that they've been with for 60 years, those are pretty rough for us,' Hoxsey said. As the job gains more public attention, Storch stated that discussing its mental health impact is increasingly important. 'We get them to the EMTs and firefighters to them and after that, we don't hear anything else. It can become emotionally difficult. It can weigh on a dispatcher quite a bit. One of the best things that we can do is have a good, strong support system, which we do from our officers, from our fellow dispatchers, and our families,' Storch explained. Brownwood Lieutenant Art Sanders said it would be unimaginable in a world without dispatchers. 'It would be chaos. We wouldn't know where we're going. We wouldn't have— it would be up to us to find things going on all the time. And we just can't do that. You know, there's only a limited number of officers out there prowling around the streets,' said Sanders. 'They are the guys that are absolutely there all the time,' Sanders said. Hoxsey said no matter the county, the overall vision is the same: to save lives and get people the help they need. 'Your worst day is our work day, and we want everybody to feel heard. And when they call, we want to make sure everybody feels like a priority. So we are here,' Hoxsey said. In 2019, the state of Texas recognized dispatchers as first responders, allowing 911 operators to access the same benefits as law enforcement and emergency services. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Commissioners declare National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
Saturday is the last day of Rogers County's first observance of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. The Rogers County Commissioners approved a proclamation at their Monday meeting recognizing the previous Sunday through Saturday as a week to honor the Northeast Oklahoma Enhanced 911 Trust Authority. The hub directs emergency and non-emergency police, medical, fire and animal control calls for all of Rogers County, except Catoosa. Ron Burrows, District 3 commissioner, is a member of the 911 center's board. Burrows said that at the board's most recent meeting, Executive Director Darryl Maggard asked Burrows if the county could draft a proclamation. "There's a group that really goes unnoticed unless you're in a crisis situation," said Burrows just before he read the county's proclamation. "... For them, that's an everyday occurrence. Every day, they're answering the phone with somebody in crisis." The Association of Public Safety Communication Officials has observed National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week annually since 1981. Maggard said he was honored Rogers County now observes it, too. Maggard said 911 dispatchers are unseen first responders; he said they arrange for first responders to physically assist callers but are also trained to provide help over the phone, such as guiding callers to administer CPR. Maggard said that last year, the 911 center responded to 33,000 emergency calls and dispatched 150,500 calls to the 20 departments it serves. He said it's an honor for the county to give recognition to the hard work the center's staff puts in every day. "The number comes down to 24 people [who] hold the lives of everybody in their hands, one agency that processes every emergency call," Maggard said. "Not only is that a lot of responsibility, but it speaks well for the people that we have here and their dedication that they have." Also at Monday's meeting, the commissioners agreed to engage an accounting company to prepare the county's Fiscal Year 2025 financial statement District 2 Commissioner and Chairman Steve Hendrix said up until now, the county has assembled these statements in-house. "However, that is not going to be an option for us this year, so I reached out to a number of CPA firms," Hendrix said. "Got very little interest, other than Hood and Associates." Hood and Associates, in a letter to the commissioners, said it would charge the county a $4,000 engagement setup fee and about $29,000 to prepare the statement. Hendrix said Hood already performs audits for a number of the county's authorities. Commissioners approved an expenditure of $177,800.04 to digitize 35 record books. Rogers County Clerk Jeanne Heidlage and her office have worked with a company called Kofile for the last two years to preserve old county records. Heidlage said her office and Kofile have processed 100 photostat books' worth of digital records so far. After the 35 the commissioners approved to digitize Monday, Heidlage said 35 more books remain, as well as 20 commissioners' journals. "We've got to make sure that we preserve history, and this is what this is about," said District 1 Commissioner Dan DeLozier as he made a motion to approve the measure.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Commissioners declare National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
Saturday is the last day of Rogers County's first observance of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. The Rogers County Commissioners approved a proclamation at their Monday meeting recognizing the previous Sunday through Saturday as a week to honor the Northeast Oklahoma Enhanced 911 Trust Authority. The hub directs emergency and non-emergency police, medical, fire and animal control calls for all of Rogers County, except Catoosa. Ron Burrows, District 3 commissioner, is a member of the 911 center's board. Burrows said that at the board's most recent meeting, Executive Director Darryl Maggard asked Burrows if the county could draft a proclamation. "There's a group that really goes unnoticed unless you're in a crisis situation," said Burrows just before he read the county's proclamation. "... For them, that's an everyday occurrence. Every day, they're answering the phone with somebody in crisis." The Association of Public Safety Communication Officials has observed National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week annually since 1981. Maggard said he was honored Rogers County now observes it, too. Maggard said 911 dispatchers are unseen first responders; he said they arrange for first responders to physically assist callers but are also trained to provide help over the phone, such as guiding callers to administer CPR. Maggard said that last year, the 911 center responded to 33,000 emergency calls and dispatched 150,500 calls to the 20 departments it serves. He said it's an honor for the county to give recognition to the hard work the center's staff puts in every day. "The number comes down to 24 people [who] hold the lives of everybody in their hands, one agency that processes every emergency call," Maggard said. "Not only is that a lot of responsibility, but it speaks well for the people that we have here and their dedication that they have." Also at Monday's meeting, the commissioners agreed to engage an accounting company to prepare the county's Fiscal Year 2025 financial statement District 2 Commissioner and Chairman Steve Hendrix said up until now, the county has assembled these statements in-house. "However, that is not going to be an option for us this year, so I reached out to a number of CPA firms," Hendrix said. "Got very little interest, other than Hood and Associates." Hood and Associates, in a letter to the commissioners, said it would charge the county a $4,000 engagement setup fee and about $29,000 to prepare the statement. Hendrix said Hood already performs audits for a number of the county's authorities. Commissioners approved an expenditure of $177,800.04 to digitize 35 record books. Rogers County Clerk Jeanne Heidlage and her office have worked with a company called Kofile for the last two years to preserve old county records. Heidlage said her office and Kofile have processed 100 photostat books' worth of digital records so far. After the 35 the commissioners approved to digitize Monday, Heidlage said 35 more books remain, as well as 20 commissioners' journals. "We've got to make sure that we preserve history, and this is what this is about," said District 1 Commissioner Dan DeLozier as he made a motion to approve the measure.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'You are the heroes.' Dispatchers celebrated by county officials
This past week was National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, and varying agencies across Wilson County recognized the people who play an important part in the first responder process — dispatchers. Dispatchers are often the first point of contact in an emergency, guiding callers through some of the most stressful and intense moments of their lives. During this, they're able to multitask by relaying vital information to responders. The Wilson County Sheriff's Office, Lebanon Police Department, Lebanon Fire Department and Wilson County Emergency Management Agency took to social media to remind the public that the person behind the headset, the unseen coordinator, is just as vital as any police officer or firefighter. 'Our dispatchers are the invisible lifeline connecting the community to emergency responders,' Wilson County Sheriff Robert Bryan said. 'Their voices guide people through moments of crisis with calm professionalism and compassion, and we are incredibly grateful for the vital role they play in keeping Wilson County safe.' The television drama show "911" is one instance of popular media portraying the job dispatchers do every day, often filled with emotion. The profession can take an emotional toll on each dispatcher, who has to make high-pressure decisions while spending long hours away from their home and family. 'It takes a special kind of person to remain calm in chaos and to be the voice of reassurance for someone in their darkest hour,' Captain Scott Moore, WCSO Public Information Officer, said. 'Our team in the Communications Division is second to none, and we're proud to recognize their commitment during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.' WEMA, in several posts on Facebook, highlighted the individual dispatchers and expressed gratitude for the work they do. LPD informed people that the job doesn't stop during weekends and holidays, as emergencies can happen at any time. 'Behind every siren, every emergency response and every life saved is a calm, steady voice,' MJPD said. 'They are the steady support that helps our officers and first responders stay safe and succeed in protecting Mt. Juliet. Thank you for being the calm in the chaos, the lifeline for our community and the essential force behind every apprehension, every rescue and every call answered. 'You are the heroes.'
