Blogs

How The Reclassification of 911 Call Takers to First Responders and Better Benefits Can Attract People to The Career

Apr 12, 2023

The “first responder” title is synonymous with police officers, firefighters, and paramedics, but what about 9-1-1 call takers? With the reclassification of 9-1-1 call takers as first responders, the change can also mean significant benefits for the...
The “first responder” title is synonymous with police officers, firefighters, and paramedics, but what about 9-1-1 call takers? With the reclassification of 9-1-1 call takers as first responders, the change can also mean significant benefits for the public safety industry.  To help celebrate National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, our team at NGA will dive into how the reclassification of 911 call takers to first responders can attract more people to this career. Table of Contents:...
The Reclassification of 911 Call Takers: How it Can Offer Better Retirement Plan Options and Provide More Positive Stability

Apr 11, 2023

As the first point of contact in emergencies, 9-1-1 call takers ensure that critical information is relayed promptly, allowing first responders to act quickly and save lives. On a state-by-state basis 9-1-1 call takers are being reclassified as first...
As the first point of contact in emergencies, 9-1-1 call takers ensure that critical information is relayed promptly, allowing first responders to act quickly and save lives. On a state-by-state basis 9-1-1 call takers are being reclassified as first responders. However, not the federal level at this time. This would come with significant advantages: access to better retirement plan options and financial stability. However, the importance of this recognition goes beyond access to retirement p...
The Reclassification of 911 Call Takers as First Responders Part 1 of 3: A Step Towards Better Mental Health Resources and Retention

Apr 07, 2023

9-1-1 call takers are not perceived as first responders at the federal level. Despite their vital role in emergency situations, they are classified in the same category as office clerks and administrative assistants.  Now, these essential emergency...
9-1-1 call takers are not perceived as first responders at the federal level. Despite their vital role in emergency situations, they are classified in the same category as office clerks and administrative assistants.  Now, these essential emergency telecommunicators are finally being recognized as first responders in some states. This is a huge development in the public safety industry and has the potential to bring significant positive changes for our country’s emergency response professionals...
Understanding Why 911 Training is So Important for Public Safety Communicators

Mar 30, 2023

Public safety is a vital aspect of any community. Various professionals are responsible for ensuring that the public remains safe and secure.  One of the most important jobs in this field is that of a public safety communicator or a 9-1-1 oper...
Public safety is a vital aspect of any community. Various professionals are responsible for ensuring that the public remains safe and secure.  One of the most important jobs in this field is that of a public safety communicator or a 9-1-1 operator. These professionals are responsible for taking calls from the public and dispatching the appropriate responders to the scene of an emergency. The quality of their training and experience can mean the difference between lives saved and tragedy i...
911 PSAPs: A Look Into the First Responders Behind Emergency Response

Mar 22, 2023

Every day, over a half a million of people across the United States dial 911 when an emergency strikes. But most may not think about who answers the call or what happens after they hang up. Behind every emergency call is a team of dedicated professio...
Every day, over a half a million of people across the United States dial 911 when an emergency strikes. But most may not think about who answers the call or what happens after they hang up. Behind every emergency call is a team of dedicated professionals who ensure that help arrives quickly. This team includes public safety answering points (PSAPs), dispatchers, and first responders who work together to provide life-saving assistance in times of need.  In this blog from NGA, we’ll discuss...
NENA 9-1-1: How NENA’s Release Guide to Handling Text-to-911 in the PSAP Can Help First Responders

Mar 06, 2023

As the need for modern emergency services continues to grow, so does the demand for more efficient and accurate emergency response. NENA’s Release Guide to Handling Text-to-911 in the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) is an essential tool in achie...
As the need for modern emergency services continues to grow, so does the demand for more efficient and accurate emergency response. NENA’s Release Guide to Handling Text-to-911 in the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) is an essential tool in achieving this goal.  This guide provides vital information and suggestions on how best to handle text messages sent by individuals in need during an emergency. It outlines best practices for PSAPs, and how first responders and dispatchers should respond...
How NG911 PSAPs Are Helping Streamline Dispatchable Locations

Feb 27, 2023

For Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), the importance of obtaining the accurate location of every 9-1-1 caller cannot be underestimated. Knowing where individuals needing emergency assistance are located is vital for dispatchers to deploy the ap...
For Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), the importance of obtaining the accurate location of every 9-1-1 caller cannot be underestimated. Knowing where individuals needing emergency assistance are located is vital for dispatchers to deploy the appropriate responders and resources with minimal delay. The introduction of Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) has made this process easier than ever before.  In this blog from NGA, our NG911 experts and trusted providers will discuss how NG911 PSAP...
Next Generation 911 Solutions: Enhancing Emergency Services Communications for The Digital Age

Feb 13, 2023

The world of public safety communications is changing. As technology advances and our society moves more and more online, emergency services must keep up with the times to provide the most effective response possible.  Enter Next-Generation 9-1-1...
The world of public safety communications is changing. As technology advances and our society moves more and more online, emergency services must keep up with the times to provide the most effective response possible.  Enter Next-Generation 9-1-1 solutions – a set of tools and protocols designed to enhance how 9-1-1 services communicate during emergencies while also updating emergency response technology for the digital age.  In this blog from our Next-Generation 911 trusted providers and...
Unlocking the Value of NGA's 988 Call-Handling Solution: How California is Working to Improve Public Safety

Feb 07, 2023

A breakthrough in communications technology can make all the difference when it comes to keeping people safe. In July 2020, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline assigned its own three-digit number—988—to facilitate immediate connections between t...
A breakthrough in communications technology can make all the difference when it comes to keeping people safe. In July 2020, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline assigned its own three-digit number—988—to facilitate immediate connections between those in crisis and trained responders. Several states have implemented the Next Generation Advanced (NGA) 988 call-handling solution designed to improve public safety, with California being the most recent. The golden state has recently taken...
Preparing for the Unexpected with NG911

Feb 02, 2023

Preparing for 911 Disasters with NG911 In the event of a disaster, it is crucial for emergency call centers and other organizations to be prepared. NG9-1-1 has revolutionized how public safety professionals respond to a crisis by allowing them to co...
Preparing for 911 Disasters with NG911 In the event of a disaster, it is crucial for emergency call centers and other organizations to be prepared. NG9-1-1 has revolutionized how public safety professionals respond to a crisis by allowing them to collect, process, and share potentially life-saving information in real-time.  Aside from its innovative telecommunications technology, NG9-1-1 was designed to provide more efficient and effective emergency response while also increasing safety...