Public Safety
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The presidential declaration applies to all of Kentucky's 120 counties and allows FEMA to provide emergency assistance. Much of the state is under a flood warning Friday, with rain expected to continue. -
Drones are quickly taking on more roles in law enforcement, disaster management and other tasks. Their latest role is arriving at emergency situations before humans do, collecting information for police.
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Moving to Next-Gen 911 is more than just a technical challenge; it's a moral imperative as public safety agencies work to meet the needs of all Americans, including those with disabilities or language barriers, during emergencies.
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WaveAerospace is building drones to fly in weather that others cannot, including heavy winds, precipitation or even icing conditions by redistributing waste heat produced by onboard systems.
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In the Carolinas, ICF drones have conducted rapid damage assessments in a 100-mile zone following Hurricane Helene as part of a geospatial initiative to speed up federal recovery funding requests.
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Tornado warnings Sunday gave way to severe thunderstorm warnings and watches in at least six lower Michigan counties. Some electricity customers were already without power following an earlier ice storm.
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Since 2019, the Traverse City Police Department has spent $28,000 to purchase tech tools to help officers identify unknown substances and intoxication levels, including one TruNarc device.
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Fires burning in Polk County, N.C., have grown larger than 6,000 acres. Experts say that's due in part to the abundance of fuel in forests created by destruction from Hurricane Helene last September.
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Starting June 1, any phone number with a Denver billing address will see an increased fee that will go toward speeding the time it takes to answer 911 calls, which has lagged in the city largely due to staffing issues.
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EMS providers and legislators warn that Gov. Lamont's proposed cuts to Medicaid reimbursements could result in understaffing and delays in critical care, especially for rural and underserved communities.
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The Oceanside Police Department has been offered grant money for a 13-month trial of new first responder drones that can soar from a downtown rooftop within seconds of a 911 call.
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The Pauline Road Fire burning north of Houston is causing hazardous air for residents in its immediate vicinity, but the winds may change and the mixture of gases and particle pollution can travel far.
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After a series of failures with its current emergency alert platform, the county approved a $37,000 contract for CodeRED, which will streamline urgent alerts and provide more reliable service for residents.
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After an investigation found that 911 callers in the Atlanta area were often left waiting for an operator to answer, most call centers have made great progress toward industry standards, which matches national trends.
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The pilot with a tech company, underway until mid-April, adds artificial intelligence to several existing security cameras in the city. The software will have a human verify a weapon has been seen before notification.
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The town's first responders believe a single location to house fire, police, EMS and dispatch would allow for better coordination of services and be "a commitment to the people of Westport."
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Following wildfires Friday that destroyed dozens of homes, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt declared a disaster in 12 counties, removing restrictions from vehicle weight requirements and other regulations to expedite services to impacted areas.
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Gov. Brian Kemp signed a budget including $5.7 million for upgrades and House Bill 423 would help transition to Next-Generation 911 standards after the state's outdated 911 systems have struggled to handle call volume.
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After incorrect emergency alerts caused confusion and "information fatigue" during the Los Angeles wildfires in January, a California legislative committee is considering a statewide alert system and how to rebuild public trust.
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Stanislaus Regional 911, a partnership between Modesto and the county, plans to approve a CentralSquare computer-aided dispatch platform to be implemented in September, replacing an outdated system.
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Law enforcement officials in Chippewa County, Wisc., are preparing to undergo new training Thursday that aims to advance their skills in crisis interventions, response and de-escalation.
