911 and Dispatch
First responders waited roughly 30 minutes to enter Riverbend prison after dispatchers initially told them the request for medical help was false, delaying care for Christa Pike, who survived two doses of pentobarbital during her attempted execution
Data from 100 real maydays shows where firefighters are getting into trouble, what is working in rescue and which training and culture gaps need attention
A NIOSH investigation shows how a routine transport escalated into a stabbing, and why dispatch coding, staging triggers and patient-notification practices all factored into the outcome
As Spokane builds its own 911 system after ending its county dispatch contract, Local 29 President Michael Walker says dropping EMT certification requirements for new dispatchers echoes past failures
Former FDNY Chief Dispatcher Lloyd Moskowitz recalls sending crews to the World Trade Center, answering calls from trapped victims and learning 343 firefighters never returned
Seattle officials are considering tracking ambulance wait times after concerns over an out-of-state nurse line and AI-assisted triage of 911 medical calls
Columbus is expanding a nurse navigation program that directs eligible 911 callers to non-emergency care while keeping paramedics and ambulances available for higher-priority calls
FDNY Assistant Commissioner for Communications Steve Gregory reflects on the unsung heroes of the 9/11 response:
“I don’t know what the next level beyond fantastic is”
“I don’t know what the next level beyond fantastic is”
A common operating language helps firefighters, mutual-aid partners and ICs communicate clearly when the fireground is at its most chaotic
This checklist is designed to level-up your critical fireground communications and set the tone for the entire incident
Emergency dispatchers are crucial for obtaining information needed to determine an emergency course of action
Amid a nationwide staffing shortage, learn how you can support the lifesaving role of public safety dispatchers – the FIRST first responders
Thousands of convenience stores across the U.S. will offer free coffee, drinks or snacks to uniformed first responders on July 24 as part of the 2025 24/7 Day
Seattle’s fire department used artificial intelligence for more than two years to analyze medical 911 calls raising questions about transparency, privacy and oversight
For the first time, an FDNY father and son will be honored after each risked their lives to rescue civilians from separate fires just weeks apart
A Boston dispatcher who took the fatal mayday call joined family and firefighters in honoring Robert “BK” Kilduff Jr.
In Sacramento, nearly 40% of EMS calls were classified as non-emergencies, tying up ambulances and EMS crews, delaying urgent responses
More than 20% of 911 calls to Columbia and Richland County were abandoned before operators answered, raising concerns about staffing shortages and emergency response delays
Among the updated guidance, NENA said telecommunicators should check the ALI NAM field for international callback numbers rather than rely on ANI
Firefighters, dispatchers and other first responders are speaking more openly about PTSD, burnout and stigma as more agencies expand mental health programs
Manchester fire officials marked the end of an era as the city’s last Gamewell master box transmitted its final alarm, closing the chapter on a telegraph-based system dating back to 1872
In Terre Haute, where call volume is rising and about 20% are non-urgent, the Crosswalk to Care program connects low-acuity callers to nurse-guided care, easing strain on EMS
Several factors contribute to how dispatch centers work – and hiring to fill seats will undoubtedly lead to issues
Fire response begins at the console, and emergency fire dispatchers need a structured protocol to hone their decision-making
A new city audit says a 2019 triage protocol helped slow firefighter turnout, contributing to missed emergency response goals across San Diego for three years in a row
Raleigh firefighters upgraded the call to a working fire, quickly knocking down the blaze in about 15 minutes
The family alleges Shreveport firefighters did not search for occupants, despite a 911 report and MDT message that multiple people were inside, until the arrival of the third engine company
Dispatchers say smartphone location programs such as RapidSOS and what3words help them find callers with near-constant accuracy
Therapy dogs from the nonprofit Go Team give first responders, dispatchers a chance to decompress from the emotional toll of emergency calls
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