Digital Alert Systems Launches Software Assurance Plan for Emergency Alert Systems
The new plan enables members to automatically receive all future software releases — including new features, fixes, and security updates. Keep Reading
DHS S&T Awards $750K to Maryland Company for Cybersecurity of Emergency Communicators
Through this research-and-development (R&D) project, SecuLore will use predictive analytics and collect cyber data to determine whether these resources can be used to improve the detection and elimination of cybersecurity attacks against emergency communications systems. Keep Reading
New International Pact Aims to Accelerate Next Generation Emergency Communications
A new pact among public-safety organizations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe will accelerate innovation in the three-digit emergency-communications systems that serve almost 1 billion citizens. Keep Reading
Dallas Police, Safer Dallas and Motorola Solutions Launch Pilot Program to Increase Community and Officer Safety
The six-month Starlight Program will facilitate collaboration between the police department and local businesses. Keep Reading
FirstNet Approves $82 Million Budget for 2020
The budget will focus on supporting public safety engagement, continued oversight of the deployment of the nationwide public safety broadband network, and future investments in the network. Keep Reading
AT&T Welcomes PrestoTech to the FirstNet Dealer Program
PrestoTech Solutions has joined AT&T's FirstNet Dealer Program, through the AT&T Alliance Channel. As a FirstNet dealer, PrestoTech can now sell FirstNet services to eligible current and future public safety customers. Keep Reading
Emergency Communications Pilots Planned Following TechFest at Google
The TechFest was designed to encourage nationwide efforts to improve technologies in support of public safety communications and response, particularly for people with limited English proficiency. The event included participation from technologists, public safety leaders, language service providers, and trade associations. Keep Reading
GAO Wants T-Band Use Extended After Finding ‘Significant Challenges’ in Relocating Public Safety Communications
In three of the four metropolitan areas examined in the review, officials had not found a T-Band alternative. Keep Reading
911 Education Month: Bill Wants Dispatchers Reclassified as Protective Service Occupation
Rep. Torres said that after spending more than 17 years as a 911 dispatcher, she understands "firsthand the challenges our public safety dispatchers face." Keep Reading
Puerto Rico Lures Tech Developers as Hurricane Season Looms
“The biggest crisis after Maria was communication,” said Nazario Lugo, president of Puerto Rico’s Association of Emergency Managers. “That unleashed an endless number of problems.” Keep Reading
Seattle Coast Guard Warns of Jail Time, Hefty Fines After Hoax Mayday Calls
Officials said that at 5:05 p.m., a child’s voice was heard over VHF–FM radio Channel 16 saying that his boat was on fire and sinking. Keep Reading
FirstNet Expands and Encourages Industry Innovation for First Responders
Parkinson noted that global smart community spending will reach $158 billion by 2022 with officer wearables and vehicle-to-everything connectivity generating the fastest growth in smart community spending. Keep Reading
GAO: Steps Needed to Improve External Emergency Communications
Some stakeholders identified communication challenges as well as opportunities for OEC to improve communication. For example, approximately one quarter (26 percent) of SWICs said that OEC does not communicate training well. Keep Reading
FirstNet Momentum: More Than 3,600 Public Safety Agencies Subscribed
That's a nearly 50% increase in the number of agencies subscribing to the nationwide public safety communications platform in less than 2 months. Keep Reading
Firefighters Say Verizon ‘Throttled’ Data, Crippling Communications During California Wildfire
The Santa Clara County Central Fire Protection District says a communications vehicle it dispatched to the Mendocino Complex, the largest wildfire in California’s history, was rendered essentially useless after Verizon reduced data speeds to a fraction of what firefighters needed. Keep Reading
PERSPECTIVE: ‘Space Force’ Comes Down to Earth in Homeland Applications
PART THREE OF A THREE-PART SERIES: Partnerships getting bigger, smarter and stronger every day. Keep Reading
PERSPECTIVE: The Risk of Battle-Testing Critical Communications Infrastructure Transition
Emergency managers need to care about whether new system is resilient enough to weather a disaster. Keep Reading
FirstNet Buildout Launches Nationwide with Public Safety Band 14
As the First Responder Network Authority’s partner, only AT&T can implement Band 14 and give first responders access to the buildout's increased coverage and capacity. Keep Reading