Commentary

Commentary

How 3D location can increase situational awareness and improve operational efficiency

Public-safety responders put their lives on the line every day to protect citizens from threats of all kinds. For most of us, this dedication and effort is taken for granted, as it goes largely unseen. This is because police and fire departments—and other first-responder agencies—are committed to being responsive in emergency situations while ensuring that […]

Bill to reclassify 911 telecommunicators is long overdue

The 911 telecommunicator community received some news last week that undoubtedly buoyed their spirits. A bill was introduced into the U.S. House by Rep. Norma Torres (D-Calif.)—a former telecommunicator—and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.)—a former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agent and federal prosecutor—that would give telecommunicators (i.e., call-takers and dispatchers) the recognition they richly […]

Commentary

Help wanted: Working together to harness the power of data for 911

Your input is requested on all aspects of the draft 911 Data & Information Sharing: A Strategic Plan. Go to https://www.911.gov/project_strategicplanningfor911data.html for more information and to download a copy of the draft available for public comment. Input will be accepted at nhtsa.national911@dot.gov beginning January 18, 2019, and all comments are requested no later than February 1, […]

Commentary

Change is coming: Location-technology predictions for 2019

It’s that time of year again, when CEOs pull out their crystal balls to predict what will happen in our respective industries in the coming year. I won’t pretend that all my past prognostications have exactly come true, but I do take pride in the fact that the location-technology industry is constantly changing in reaction […]

Commentary

Why every PSAP needs to be vigilant about cybersecurity

Public-safety answering points (PSAPs) are now well aware of the real-life stories behind the industry’s new concern: cybersecurity. As a quick reminder, here are a few examples that reiterate this significant threat: March 2018—A ransomware attack compromises Baltimore’s Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), causing a shutdown of the digital dispatch and recording systems. December 2017—A California man […]

Commentary

Trick or treat? Next few months could influence direction of critical-communications world

It’s Halloween, a time that celebrates the unusual and surprising. Even when you can anticipate that something is going to happen, it can be difficult to predict whether it will scare you to death or result in sweet rewards that can put a smile on your face. A similar sense of anxious expectation is surrounding […]

Commentary

Virginia’s COMLINC: An example of a successful transition to a viable funding source

By Tom Gagnon Following September 11, 2001, states and localities received unprecedented federal grant funding, which resulted in major acquisitions of public safety communications equipment. While greatly enhancing public safety entities’ (PSE) effectiveness, these acquisitions were often made without establishing long-term sustainment plans. Sustainment funding became an afterthought, as states and localities hurried to secure use-or-lose […]

Commentary

IWCE’s Critical LTE Communications provides two days of learning, discourse and networking

By Stacey Orlick, Conference Director In just seven weeks, IWCE will host its third annual Critical LTE Communications Forum at the Four Points by Sheraton Chicago O’Hare. After a successful event in Dallas last year, we moved the event back to Chicago, where we’re expecting 250 leaders, technologists, government and enterprise attendees to participate in two days of panels, keynotes, […]

Commentary

Cautious optimism surrounds CTIA announcement regarding device-based hybrid location

By Dave Sehnert Last week was a great week for public safety—at least we think it was. Let me explain. CTIA, the trade association that represents wireless communications carriers, announced that the four largest nationwide wireless carriers in the United States—AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon—will integrate device-based hybrid (DBH) location solutions into their networks. DBH technology has evolved rapidly, and […]

Minnesota starts regionally in pursuit of statewide text-to-911 implementation

Commentary

Minnesota starts regionally in pursuit of statewide text-to-911 implementation

Deploying text-to-911 service regionally is the fastest, simplest and most efficient way to provision a lifesaving service that the public not only expects, but craves.

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