Featured Stories
Keeping The Beat Going
It is estimated that each year, over 356,000 cardiac arrest events occur outside of hospital settings across the U.S. – and nearly 90% of them prove to be fatal. To address this critical issue and improve preparedness in schools and communities, advocates from across the state of Texas gathered earlier this year in the capitol to discuss the need to have Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) in place throughout all schools in the state.
New AI Technology to Help Save Lives on non-English 911 Calls
Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to break new ground with new applications across a wide spectrum of services. This article looks into how a new two-way audio translation technology being launched by Preparedis set to revolutionize EMS communications.
Survey Shows First Responders Seek Solutions to Cybersecurity, Dispatch Outages
A national survey of first responders shows major concerns with cybersecurity, disaster recovery, and information-technology resilience, according to Mark43, a leading cloud-native public safety software company.
AI, IoT, and Cloud Computing Driving Global Disaster Preparedness Industry to Record Growth
The global disaster preparedness system market size is projected to exceed $308 billion by 2030, registering a compound annual growth rate of 8.5 percent, according to a new report recently released by Research and Markets.
Texas College Unveils First Complete Ambulance Simulator in North America
Texas State Technical College’s Emergency Medical Services program in Abilene recently unveiled the first complete ambulance simulator in North America, which students use to get hands-on experience. Echo Healthcare partnered with the college and SimLeader to deliver the converted Ford F350 ambulance.
Norfolk Southern Builds on Efforts to Train, Equip First Responders Following Train Derailment
Norfolk Southern Corp. broke ground in late September on its First Responder Training Center in East Palestine, Ohio, the site of a massive train derailment in February 2023. The center will provide ongoing, free training for first responders from Ohio and the surrounding region.
Quick Response, Citizen Engagement Improve Cardiac Outcomes by Fire Departments
Prior to 2019, Naperville, Ill., had a cardiac arrest survival rate of about 9 percent. Last year, it was 21 percent, one of the highest of any fire department in the country, according to the Naperville Fire Department. In those interim years, NFD introduced a special cardiac protocol called Advanced Cardiac Resuscitation.
Survey Reveals First Responder Wish List for Communications Tech
An extensive research project conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology details what police, fire, emergency medical and 911 dispatch responders think about the communications technology they use on a regular basis and how they would like it to be improved.
IAFF Members Join USAR Earthquake Rescue Effort
When earthquakes struck Turkey and Syria on Feb. 6, members of the International Association of Fire Fighters responded as part of three Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams in search of survivors.
Tennessee DAs Partner with the Jason Foundation to Help Prevent Youth Suicide
In December 2022, the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference kicked off a partnership with The Jason Foundation, Inc. to further highlight suicide prevention. This new partnership will allow for the information, tools and resources provided by The Jason Foundation to reach even more Tennessee communities.
Yeast Material Developed to Train First Responders on Biothreats
Researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology have developed a referenced material based on yeast cells for use in simulated scenarios.
Arlington, VA Adopts RapidDeploy Radius Mapping to Improve 911 Outcomes
The county has selected Radius Mapping as its 911 map to better locate residents and visitors in the area. In addition to quickly locating people calling into 911, Radius Mapping adds the ability to text with language translation for non-native English speakers.
Future Benefits of AR/VR for First Responders: Five Questions for Dr. Andrew Phelps
Director of the Game Center at American University, Dr. Phelps is a highly respected researcher who works at the cutting edge of virtual and augmented reality technology.
Albany County Sheriff’s Office Announces New 911 Telehealth Partnership with UCM Digital Health
With this program, 911 patients who do not require treatment in the hospital or ER setting can instead access a virtual consultation with a licensed physician who will then treat and triage the presenting medical issues.
Webinar Recording: GIS for Search and Rescue
Geographic Information System mapping gives first responders a powerful suite of tools to organize search grids, track evidence in real time, and find citizens stranded in wilderness and urban environments. Learn how to effectively utilize this tech in the field, when seconds matter most.
Q&A: Keith Conville, North Regional Director of GIS Association of Alabama
This spring, the GIS Association of Alabama held a two-day search and rescue training event that brought together several organizations and individuals from across the northern region of the state.
PulsePoint App Alerts Users When a Cardiac Arrest Victim is Nearby
Now, when a 911 center in King County receives a call for a cardiac arrest victim, the dispatcher can initiate a PulsePoint alert, notifying nearby app users at the same time as emergency responders.
Austin’s Buprenorphine Bridge Program Fills Gap in Opioid Support System
The program was designed to address a gap in the opioid use disorder care system, providing a bridge-like support for someone from the time they decide they want help until they can enter a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program.
DHS Grants $100k Award for Enhanced Automotive Emergency Alerts
Corner Alliance Inc. has been awarded $100,000 by the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) to enhance alerts from first responders to drivers during emergencies.
Missouri Addresses First Responder Stress and Trauma Through New No-Cost Training Courses
All first responders in Missouri are now eligible to receive free critical incident stress management (CISM) training, via the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS) in coordination with the Warrior’s Rest Foundation.