By Tom Roeder, The Gazette Original publication date: June 19, 2011 Colorado Springs, Colo. — U.S. Northern Command has wrapped up three weeks of testing on new technologies that could help cops and firefighters communicate at disaster scenes. Seventeen companies joined in the program that has a ponderously long name – Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration. [...]
Tag Archives: Disaster Communications
Mo. Capital City Looking to Upgrade Tornado Sirens
Jefferson City, Mo. (AP) — Officials in Missouri’s capital city have decided to look into improving its aging storm warning system, after a deadly tornado hit the state’s southwest. Two of Jefferson City’s 15 warning sirens currently are not working, and many of its other sirens are several decades old.
Kenwood Donates Radios to Alabama Tornado Relief Effort
Suwanee, GA: Kenwood recently donated 50professional LMR mobiles and amateur radios to the City of Tuscaloosa, Ala. In accepting the radios, Tuscaloosa mayor Walt Maddox indicated that the radios would be used in their city’s emergency response efforts for what has become one of the worst tornadoes in Alabama history. Kenwood is a worldwide provider [...]
Emergency Communications Needed
After Sunday’s catastrophic tornado wrecked Joplin, Mo., police, fire, ambulance and other rescue groups reported a “widespread breakdown of communication systems” as they tried to locate 1,500 residents reported missing. Back in 2005, after Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans, rescuers were forced to send runners with handwritten notes because various emergency radio systems couldn’t link to each other.
Some Sirens Fail to Sound in Washington County, Minn.
Stillwater, Minn. (AP) — The Washington County sheriff’s office is investigating after some warning sirens failed to sound during Sunday’s severe weather. After the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning Sunday, the sheriff’s office activated the outdoor warning sirens for central and northern Washington County. But first responders reported that sirens did not go off in some cities.
A Modest Proposal
Public safety has made great strides in achieving interoperability since 9/11. The focus on interoperability also highlighted the need to maintain operability during large incidents, such as earthquakes, tsunamis and storms. The traditional approach has been to build strong infrastructure and backup systems that can ride out the incident. However, it’s clear that the power of nature can’t be completely overcome.
- OPINION: Arrest of Woman Seems Like a Bad Call to a Florida Reporter
-
Dispatching: A Profession or a Job?
-
FCC Says PSAPs Must Be Able to Receive 9-1-1 Texts
- Naples City Council Bristle at Cost of New Radios; Suggest Officers Share
- Colorado Theater Shooting: Dispatchers Recount Night of Horror
Dealing with the Unexpected
Stan Popovich on June 30, 2011
in Calltaking/Dispatch, Commentary/Blogs, Management, Operations
Stress, anxiety and fear are common emotions people experience during disasters—both natural disasters and personal crises. As a public safety telecommunicator, on duty you’re familiar with how to calm others in life-and-death situations, but what about you personally? How do you stay calm? Here are seven techniques to help you stay calm when dealing with the unexpected.