| News for emergency communications and response professionals |  |
| Making the Call |  |  |
|
- Mayor Bloomberg defends New York City's 9-1-1 system
New York City's emergency response system functioned well during Superstorm Sandy, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said, despite reports some callers could not get through and others were transferred to a nonemergency hotline. The city has devoted "a billion dollars" to the system but cannot staff millions of operators, Bloomberg said. CBS News/New York
(11/19)     
- Study: Don't wait to stabilize certain severe trauma patients
On-scene stabilization of a patient who has suffered a severe, penetrating injury increases the patient's risk of death, according to a long-term study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine. Emergency responders should move the patient as soon as possible because after 20 minutes on the scene, mortality begins to climb, the researchers said. The findings held true only for severe, penetrating injuries such as stabbing or gunshot wounds, and not for blunt-force trauma or motor vehicle accidents. HealthLeaders Media
(11/15)
| Policy Pulse | | |
|
- Lawsuit seeks dispatcher, police policies for hearing-impaired
A hearing-impaired man is suing the city of Portland, Ore., in an effort to compel the city to establish a clear policy for police and dispatchers that would provide a sign language interpreter when a hearing-impaired person files a police report, requests aid or is questioned by police. The Justice Department recommends police departments have 24-hour access to sign language interpreters and use other tools to help people who are hearing-impaired. The Oregonian (Portland)
(11/16)
| Innovation Insights | | |
|
- National 9-1-1 Program issues guidance on NG9-1-1
The National 9-1-1 Program has released a guidance document for state agencies developing next-generation 9-1-1 rules. The document suggests regulatory languages for structure of statewide 9-1-1 governance, establishing the state 9-1-1 offices' roles, funding and revenue collection, privacy and security, and liability. RadioResource Media Group
(11/19)
- 2-1-1 assistance line catches on in Ill.
Although the move to establish 2-1-1 hotlines to help connect residents with social service organizations and government agencies started in 1998, it hasn't caught on everywhere. Two years ago, several Illinois communities became the state's first to get on board, and now Springfield is, too. The hotline is intended to reduce nonemergency 9-1-1 calls. The State Journal-Register (Springfield, Ill.)
(11/19)
- Twitter helps educate public about emergency health info
 Thousands of Twitter users every month are using the social network to post information about responding to cardiac arrest and conducting CPR, turning the platform into a powerful public health resource, according to a study. "Twitter is a really powerful tool, and we're just beginning to understand its abilities," says lead author Dr. Raina Merchant. Reuters
(11/19)
| Editor's Note | | |
|
-
Correction
A summary in Public Safety SmartBrief for Nov. 14 misstated the location where county commissioners are working to choose a company to build a new E9-1-1 center. It is in Lake County, Ind. SmartBrief regrets the error.
| NENA News | | |
|
- Free online "Breakfast Briefing": What the Telecom Industry Should Know about Next Generation 9-1-1
Presented at the USTelecom Executive Conference Center, Washington, D.C., and online
Thursday, Dec. 13
8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. (EST) - Check-in and breakfast (in-person attendees)
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (EST) - Presentation
There is no fee to register, but you must register in advance. Learn more and register!
It is no surprise that data communication is swamping telecom networks. Consumers are generating growing amounts of data on their own through texting, emailing, and social networking, and rely less and less on their phones for talking. Yet the current 9-1-1 system was built on the basis of voice communications (call 9-1-1 if you have an emergency). While voice remains the best choice for a 9-1-1 call, most consumers should be provided the option to text or email when they are experiencing an emergency. When needed, texting or emailing is far more discreet and can be done almost silently for those who find themselves in situations where speaking could prove harmful to their own safety. For some consumers, texting is their primary or only option to communicate. So, what are the 9-1-1 experts doing about texting, emailing and the next generation of emergency communications? Learn more and register.
| SmartQuote | | |
|
 | If the only prayer you said in your whole life was 'thank you,' that would suffice."
--Meister Eckhart,
German theologian and philosopher
|
| |
| |
|
Read more at SmartBrief.com |
|
A powerful website for SmartBrief readers including:
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| | Recent Public Safety SmartBrief Issues:
- Wednesday, November 14, 2012
- Wednesday, November 07, 2012
- Wednesday, October 31, 2012
- Wednesday, October 24, 2012
- Wednesday, October 17, 2012
| | | Lead Editor: Melissa Turner
Mailing Address:
SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004 | |
| |
|
| © 1999-2012 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information |
|
