NJ Police Captain: MCPTT-Based FirstNet PTT a "Game-Changer," Potential LMR Replacement

Posted on April 22, 2020

“I think it’s really going to be a game-changer for public-safety communications.” That’s the verdict from Captain Guy Patterson after his Cranford, New Jersey Police Department conducted a beta trial of the new FirstNet Push to Talk (PTT) service, which is provided by AT&T and built on the 3GPP mission-critical-push-to-talk (MCPTT) standard.

In an interview with IWCE’s Urgent Communications Editor Donny Jackson, Capt. Patterson praised the new FirstNet service: “It delivers the performance that public safety needs and can be an LMR alternative for some agencies.”

Happy National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week!

Photo: M.Moira / Shutterstock.com

Posted on April 16, 2020
Emergency Responders across the Nation: We Salute You

This week is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, the annual celebration of our first, first responders – the heroes who, literally, answer the call when we need help. This week, we salute and thank every 911 operator across the country who dedicates his/her life to serving the public every day.

The Safer Buildings Coalition would like to THANK YOU for all that you do - especially at this difficult time with emergency telecommunicators among the essential personnel out there risking their health and lives to keep us all safe.

This is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

8 Keys for Leaders for Thriving and Surviving in this Environment
Posted on April 8, 2020 By John Foley – Managing Director, Safer Buildings Coalition

You may have heard the phrase “Life on Life’s Terms.” Now, more than ever, this applies. 

It seems unfair, but we are often forced to make important business and life decisions while going through a major life-changing event – be it a birth, death, divorce, whatever. Or a pandemic, which upends the world as we know it. We must make solid decisions at a time when our focus and clear priorities are least available to us.

Dept. of Homeland Security Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce

Posted on March 24, 2020 

So Many Safer Buildings Coalition Members are part of the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce. Essential workers must be permitted to keep critical infrastructure in place and operational.

The US Department of Homeland Security has provided guidance on the definition of the ESSENTIAL CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE WORKFORCE.

Read important guidance from DHS here: https://www.saferbuildings.org/essential-workforce

Safer Buildings Coalition Launches Online Training Hub 

Posted on March 24, 2020 

Dear Members & Readers,

The current crisis forces more and more workers to work from home. While this is a new reality for many, it is also a great opportunity for these remote workers to build competency via online training. And for you, our members, to showcase your online training programs. 

That's why we created the Safer Buildings Coalition Online Training Hub. 

Check it out here: https://www.saferbuildings.org/online-training

A message from the Safer Buildings Coalition President

Posted on March 24, 2020

Dear Members & Readers,

First of all, as you may already know, IWCE 2020 has been rescheduled for August 24-28. Accordingly, we have moved our Annual Reception, Dinner and Meeting to August 24^th to coincide with the new IWCE time frame. Much more information will be forthcoming, but for now, please mark your calendars for these new dates. 

These are difficult, perhaps even scary, times for all of us, and I want you all to know that we at the Safer Buildings Coalition are dedicated to helping you get through this crisis. As a Coalition, we can and will help each other work through this crisis. With that in mind, our Board of Directors, Staff, and Advancement Work Group will be collaborating to brainstorm ways to help you, our members, continue to advance the mission and your goals within the industry.

Broward County Approves Two-Way Radio Communications Enhancement Systems Guidelines 

Posted on March 24, 2020 

The BDA Committee under the Broward County Board of Rules and Appeals has approved and posted its Two-Way Radio Communications Enhancement Systems Guidelines.

See the approved guidelines here:

https://www.saferbuildings.org/assets/CodeBulletins/BORA%20RCES%20Guidelines.pdf

From the Chief’s Corner: When Leadership Matters Most...

Posted on March 24, 2020

With many years of service in public safety, I have witnessed and been a part of many forms of crisis. Whether natural or man-made, a disaster can have a profound impact on the daily lives of those effected. Today’s environment of uncertainty with COVID 19 is very significant, and it brings back some vivid memories of the initial days following the events of 9/11.

Those memories include many hours spent planning and preparing for what was often referred to as the “unknown” and the “new normal.” We had no idea what that really meant, but we knew the world as we had known it would change. The uncertainty of what was to come would impact not only the lives of first responders, but the lives of all Americans. We didn’t have time to do much reflection. It was time to move forward, develop plans, procedures, secure proper equipment, train personnel, etc.

IWCE 2020 Rescheduled for August 24-28, 2020

Posted on March 24, 2020

IWCE 2020, which was originally scheduled for next week, has been rescheduled for August 24-28, 2020. 

Please see the IWCE website here: https://www.iwceexpo.com/iwce20/Public/Enter.aspx

Read the full announcement from the organizers below:

We are excited to announce that IWCE 2020 will take place on August 24-28, 2020 at the Las Vegas Convention Center (South Halls 1-2) in Las Vegas, Nevada. ETA’s Education Forum will also be rescheduled to take place at this time.

March and April Safer Buildings Coalition Seminars Postponed- New Dates to Be Announced

Posted on March 24, 2020 

Dear Members & Readers,

After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to postpone all Safer Buildings Coalition Seminars scheduled for March and April due to concerns about COVID-19 and recommendations by community and health officials, expressions of concern from our guests and members.