Randall County S.O. is hiring !

Thanksgiving Fire Safety Tips

Crazy !

Smithfield, North Carolina Police May Ignore '911' Calls If Not Provided More Gas Money

First Posted: 11/1/11 12:32 PM ET Updated: 11/1/11 10:04 PM ET

In one North Carolina town, some residents may not get an answer to their 911 calls because the police are running out of gas money.

In a town council meeting Tuesday night, Smithfield, North Carolina Police Chief Michael Scott will ask officials to let him use $30,000 meant for office supplies to buy gas for patrol cars, the Raleigh News and Observer reports. If he doesn't get the money, Smith said the police force may stop responding to some 911 calls and investigating misdemeanors because he's already cut patrols.

Smithfield isn't the only town looking for ways to cut costs to contend with budget woes. High unemployment and a struggling housing market have pushed more than half of U.S. cities to cut staff, boost fees or cancel infrastructure projects, according to the National League of Cities. The situation has gotten so dire that deep state and local budget cuts may be slowing U.S. economic growth, according to The Associated Press.

City officials in Allen Park, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, announced Tuesday that they would lay off more than 30 police officers, firefighters and city workers, the Detroit Free Press reports. In Santa Ana, California a budget analysis found that the city may need to take steps including closing some fire stations at night to close a projected $30 million budget gap, according to Voice of OC.

Some localities are looking for other creative ways to trim budgets. Nearly 300 school districts are moving to a four-day week, the Washington Post reports. In Grand Rapids, Flint and Lansing, Michigan city officials will use a $550,000 award from the state's governor to buy a machine to process income tax returns, which will cut down on the cities' manpower needs, according to the Grand Rapids NBC affiliate.

One county is taking what some might argue is a more extreme approach to deficit reduction. Officials in Camden County, Georgia floated hiring prison inmates as firefighters last month to curb costs.

In Smithfield, town council members say there's no way the police will be forced to stop performing necessary services, even in tight economic times.

"I think we need to uncover every rock and every stone to see other areas where we could save some money," Councilman Perry Harris told the News and Observer. 

Hemphill County Sheriff's Office is Hiring

The Hemphill County Sheriff's Office (Canadian,TX) is hiring a full time dispatcher for the 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. shift.

Full Benefits.

Starting salary is $36,875.

Applications may be picked up at the Sheriff's office or call 806-323-5324 for additional information

Newsletter

We are busy working on the Newsletter ! Please let us know if there is anything you would like included. If you would like to give any of your dispatchers "kudos" for a job well done please submit those as well.   


mdavis@theprpc.org 

Making Coordinate Search Work On PowerMap

As many of you have figured out, the search feature on PowerMap that utilizes Lat/Long hasn't been working.   John has done some troubleshooting and  has found a solution to the problem! 

To make the Coordinate search work do the following:

1. Select Decimal (this is the easiest way to search)

Lat : (small number)  35.851053

Long: (large number)  -100.851592

2. Select the Geograhic option

3. In the drop down menu scroll down and select GCS_WGS_1984

If the information has been entered correctly, the numbers will turn bold. 

TX NENA Conference 2011

Members of the Panhandle Regional 9-1-1 Network attended the Texas NENA Conference/Awards August 21st – 24th in Corpus Christi, TX.  The TX NENA Conference and Awards is a special event that features continuing education classes, guest speakers, Vendors, and recognizes telecommunicators for outstanding contributions of service.

Mike Peters, Pam Frisk, and Melanie Davis (Panhandle 9-1-1 Network) spent the week learning, volunteering, making new friends, catching up with old friends, and having a little fun in Corpus Christi.

Texas NENA is the Texas chapter of the National Emergency Number Association. NENA works to foster the development, availability and implementation of the universal emergency telephone number, 9-1-1, common to all areas of the State of Texas, through research, planning, training, education, legislation and sharing of information; represent its members before communications regulatory agencies and policy-making bodies as appropriate; and strives toward citizens having immediate access to emergency public safety services so that safety of human life, protection of property and civic welfare are benefited to the utmost degree. NENA also Aids and assist in the timely collection and dissemination of information relating to the 9-1-1 emergency number.

Crime Stoppers Car Show is Coming !!

FBI Launches New Missing Child App

First Posted: 8/6/11 09:54 AM ET Updated: 8/8/11 04:19 PM ET

The FBI has launched a new mobile application to help put the safety of children in the hands of their parents or guardians.

"You're shopping at the mall with your children when one of them suddenly disappears. A quick search of the nearby area is unsuccessful. What do you do?" reads a new FBI promotional ad for the application.

The new tool -- the first app ever created by the FBI -- provides a convenient place to electronically store photos and vital information about the user's children. According to the FBI, the intent is for the user to have the information immediately available in the event of an emergency.

Read the Article Here

Please Make Sure You Are Doing This !

ATTENTION ALL PSAPS: Please make sure you 


are doing 9-1-1 test calls EVERY shift and 


documenting them.  Fax us the log sheets on 


the first of every month.   806-373-3268   


Thanks! 

Durham, NC to test 9-1-1 Texting Services with Verizon Wireless

Is this the future of 9-1-1?

http://www.911dispatch.com/2011/08/city-tries-911-texting-issues-list-of-limitations/

http://pdf.911dispatch.com.s3.amazonaws.com/911_texting_trial_faq.pdf

Summer 2011 Newsletter

If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please send your information to mdavis@theprpc.org with "mailing list" as the subject!

Only Call 9-1-1 In an Emergency ~

EMD Saves Child

A New Haven (Conn.) dispatcher helped save a four year-old boy who was found unconscious in a backyard swimming pool on Monday. David Mancini used EMD protocol cards to give the 911 caller instructions, and that person then relayed them to another person at the pool. The child survived and is expected to recover.

Have a Great Weekend and Pass This Info Along !

Teaching Children How/When to Call 9-1-1 Is Very Important

6 Year Old Miami Girl Makes 9-1-1 Call

Please pass this information along. It could save someone's life. 

Burn Bans In Place as of 06/30/2011

Borger PD Is Hiring !

NOTICE OF VACANCY BORGER POLICE DEPARTMENT 

A job opening will be available in the Police Department for a 911 Dispatcher.  The starting salary

for this position will be $2273.85 a month or $1049.47 bi-weekly based on the applicant

qualifications.

JOB SUMMARY:

Acts as receptionist and operates central base radio equipment and provides timely and accurate transmittal of information and messages regarding police operations.  Receive and send messages in the police communications center during an assigned shift.

=================================================================

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Incumbent will have the responsibility for the operation of the central base radio equipment by answering incoming radio and telephone calls, including 911 operations, dispatching police patrol cars, fire and EMS vehicles to emergencies, maintain accurate account of the location of patrol cars, assists police officers in locating streets and addresses and maintain radio dispatch logs; prepare required reports; operate teletype, receives and relays information to the state police, county sheriff, and various other law enforcement agencies; look up numbers for stolen cars; check wanted persons by name and date of birth; act as receptionist, receives fines, books prisoners, orders their meals, and maintains records of time in jail, monitors burglar alarms; notify ambulance, towing services, road maintenance crews, signal light crews, and the Fire Department when necessary; perform other duties as assigned.  =================================================================

OTHER ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Incumbent must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time and perform other duties as assigned.

=================================================================

REQUIRED EDUCATION, DEGREES, CERTIFICATES, AND/OR LICENSE:

Incumbent must have a high-school diploma, and must be able to obtain Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TECLEOSE) certification for police dispatchers.  National Crime Information System and Texas Crime Information System certification.  Any certifications required to perform police radio or telecommunications duties required by any governmental agency having duties to regulate the activity.

=================================================================

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS:

Incumbent should know or be able to learn the names and location of the streets and principal buildings in the City; receive and route messages to appropriate personnel for action.  Read and interpret policies and procedures governing radio operations.  Act calmly and accurately in an emergency.  Speak clearly and concisely with a well-modulated voice under emergency conditions.  Keep records and executes miscellaneous routine clerical work.  Establish and maintain effective working relationship with other employees and the public.

Anyone qualified and desiring to apply for this position should contact Workforce Solutions, 1315 W. Wilson Street in Borger by  5:00 p.m., on Friday,  July 08, 2011.           (806) 274-7171

Perryton PD is Hiring !

If you're looking for a great place to work, Perryton PD has an opening! They offer great pay, 12 hours shifts (4 on / 4 off), a retirement plan, and the City pays 100% of employee's insurance coverage. 

If you would like more information please contact the Perryton Police Department. 

 We will update with more information as soon as we have it available.

From Pam : It's Newsletter Time !

Hi Y'ALL!

Well it is Newsletter Time and I am looking for some stuff to put in it!

This newsletter is for YOU and about YOU - so I am asking YOU for some help.

Please send some pictures of anything about your job! -  It would be awesome if you

creeped around the office and take some pics of your coworkers!!!  LOL

Also, how about any interesting 9-1-1 calls?

In a more serious note, If you would like to say something about Carolyn Sabbee for the

newsletter, we are going to have a page of memories for her. 

One more thing, if you have a job opening in your comm center and would like for us to post it

on the blog or in the newsletter, please send us the information. 

Don't wait too long to respond as we are working on it this week!

Thanks!

Pamela Frisk 

Email me or Mel with anything you'd like included.

pfrisk@theprpc.org
mdavis@theprpc.org

Social media continues to be a valuable asset for public safety agencies.

Central Jersey police using social media to keep public informed

Departmental Facebook, Twitter use part of growing national trend

8:15 AM, Jun. 28, 2011  |  

Comments

Purchase Image

Piscataway, 6/27/2011. -- Dispatcher Jillian Sofield and Lieutenant Edgar Velasquez work together to post a traffic advisory for July 4th to subscribers of the Nixle web service from the dispatch station at Piscataway Police Headquarters on Monday, June 27, 2011. AUGUSTO F. MENEZES/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER. METRO. BRI 0628 Social Media. B69114653Z.1 / A.F. MENEZES/MyCentralJersey

• T

Written by

Mark Spivey | Staff Writer

• FILED UNDER
• News
• North Jersey

Purchase ImageZOOM

Piscataway, 6/27/2011. -- Dispatcher Jillian Sofield and Lieutenant Edgar Velasquez work together to post a traffic advisory for July 4th to subscribers of the Nixle web service from the dispatch station at Piscataway Police Headquarters on Monday, June 27, 2011. AUGUSTO F. MENEZES/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER. METRO. BRI 0628 Social Media. B69114653Z.1 / A.F. MENEZES/MyCentralJersey

Purchase ImageZOOM

Piscataway, 6/27/2011. -- Dispatcher Jillian Sofield and Lieutenant Edgar Velasquez work together to compose and post a traffic advisory for July 4th to subscribers of the Nixle web service from the dispatch station at Piscataway Police Headquarters on Monday, June 27, 2011. AUGUSTO F. MENEZES/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER. METRO. BRI 0628 Social Media. B69114653Z.1 / A.F. MENEZES/MyCentralJersey

On the Web

For more information about the International Association of Chiefs of Police Center for Social Media, or to use a searchable database to find out what New Jersey police departments are making use of social media, go online to www.iacpsocialmedia.org. To find out more about Nixle, or to check what local police departments are using it, go to www.Nixle.com.

CENTRAL JERSEY — Mike Parker has a message for law enforcement organizations that have gotten into the habit of posting news releases and other public information to their department websites.

“If you’re doing that, you’re doing great — for 10 years ago,” Parker said.

A growing number of Central Jersey police departments and prosecutor’s offices are starting to use social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter and other websites to accelerate dissemination of public information to residents, but they still remain exceptions to the rule. That’s why Parker, a captain with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and an internationally renowned expert in the field of public information in law enforcement, is joining a growing chorus of voices recommending that more agencies give the concept some serious consideration.

“This is the way our society is now, especially with our younger generation,” Hillsborough Police Chief Paul Kaminsky said in agreement. “They want immediate notification.”

Hillsborough’s police department in 2009 registered with Nixle, a subscription-based information service that allows law enforcement and other government agencies to connect with residents in real time via text messages, emails and other forms of online correspondence. About two dozen police departments in Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon and Union counties have Nixle accounts, although only slightly more than half of them post regular updates.

Hillsborough went a step further and created a Twitter feed that automatically tweets Nixle updates as they are issued, Kaminsky said. The setup allows any of the township’s nearly 40,000 residents spread across 55 square miles to receive instant alerts about traffic conditions, road closures, suspicious vehicles and more — information that can get from an officer’s desktop computer straight to a resident’s smartphone in a matter of seconds.

“We normally posted these things on local television, which was great if you were home … and we also used 610 AM local radio through the (township) Office of Emergency Management,” Kaminsky said. “But this is just a way to get the information out quick in the most convenient ways possible.”

The police department issues about 10 to 15 alerts per month, and the free service has been received well by officers and residents alike, Kaminsky said.

“We strongly recommend it (to other police departments),” he said. “It’s definitely worthwhile.”

Nixle subscribers in Piscataway had an inside track to avoiding traffic Friday morning, when a notification advised that a portion of Centennial Avenue was experiencing alternating lane closures for a milling and paving project.

Piscataway Police Lt. Edgar Velasquez said the department signed up for the service a little more than six months ago and also has been pleased with the results. Township police dispatchers handle Nixle updates, Velasquez said, meaning vital public information isn’t even slowed down by an intermediary en route to residents.

“They’re the ones getting the first calls,” Velasquez said of the dispatchers. “Plus they work with computers all day long, so it seemed like a natural progression.”

Praise for the service and other sources of social media as conduits for public information was echoed by every keynote speaker at a recent roundtable conference held at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan. Police chiefs, prosecutor’s office representatives and members of the media from across Central and North Jersey attended the event, where Parker and others outlined examples from across the country.

Speakers described how in Baltimore, Twitter has replaced telephone hotlines as the principal link between police and reporters; within 20 minutes of just about every major crime event, 140 characters or less of details are sent out to media subscribers. The Philadelphia Police Department has become a national phenomenon on Facebook, amassing more than 35,000 “likes,” others noted, while Toronto’s police department has more than 13,000 Twitter followers (a quirky sergeant in the department, Tim Burrows, has nearly as many in his own right, occasionally tweeting as frequently as 10 times an hour).

Using social media eases burdens on dispatchers, improves media relations, aids disaster management and generates tips for time-sensitive investigations, speakers noted. And it doesn’t hurt that Facebook and Twitter are both free services with combined user totals approaching 1 billion around the world.

“Social media is not a fad,” said Nancy Kolb, a senior program manager for the International Association of Chiefs of Police. “And it will continue to evolve.”

According to estimates developed by the association, or IACP — which through its Center for Social Media helps individual police departments integrate online tools into agency operations — as of 2010 at least 1,300 U.S. police agencies used Facebook while more than 600 were on Twitter. One of the first state law-enforcement organizations to use Twitter was the New Jersey State Police, which today has more than 6,500 followers.

“At first I did it just for the media with a closed account … but I just got so tired of refusing people who requested it and weren’t part of the media that I just said, ‘You know what? It’s public information anyhow,’ ” said Sgt. Stephen Jones, the acting director of communication for the State Police.

The service has been helpful in spreading the word about events ranging from tornado warnings to bank robbery investigations, Jones said.

“There’s obviously a public safety benefit to asking for public input, whether it’s an Amber Alert type of thing … or something else,” Jones said. “It may even be something like we’re looking for who’s got this car involved in a hit-and-run.”

“Our goal is to get a lot more aggressive with this, too,” Jones added. “I wouldn’t say we’re ahead of the curve by any means. There’s still a lot of room for improvement.”