First Responders

Nonprofit research group RTI International and the White Cross Fire Department have teamed up to pilot augmented reality technology for firetruck pump panel training. The goal is to create a blueprint for the industry.

Now residents can call for help via certain Amazon Alexa voice-activated devices in homes. The move comes as emergency dispatchers seek more detailed information from callers and as 911 technology improves nationwide.

The latest product from the growing government technology vendor reflects advances in connecting multiple agencies. RapidSOS says the tool could increase access to real-time data and speed up emergency responses.

As they responded to the terrorist attacks on 9/11, public safety professionals struggled to communicate with each other due to tech issues. Twenty years later, FirstNet exists to ensure this doesn't happen again.

The move combines two software providers for first responders, with technology that covers a wide range of tasks. The deal comes amid an ongoing wave of recent M&A activity in the government technology space.

The partnership with what3words could help more first responders better locate emergency callers, including in hard-to-define spots such as parks, parking lots and areas with poor mobile service.

The company, which delivers safety notifications to drivers about things such as the presence of an emergency vehicle, hasn't aggressively raised money from investors. But it's still managed to grow a lot.

A Texas startup has started selling drones and software designed to give police, fire and medical workers a better view of emergency scenes. The move comes amid a broader push to improve dispatch technology.

A company called Rescu says it can enable people to get quicker help in emergencies — and help governments improve 911 services. The tool joins other efforts at upgrading dispatch tech in this increasingly mobile age.

After a successful pilot program using what3words’ location detection tool, the Los Angeles Fire Department has officially adopted the technology to reduce the time required to locate and help callers.

Thirty-one California Democrats have written a letter to U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, explaining that firefighters’ lives could be in jeopardy if the Defense Department discontinues a wildfire monitoring program.

As public safety agencies embrace new software, more companies are forming partnerships and networks. The deals could enable more access to life-saving data when first responders arrive on scene.

Governing bodies in Calhoun County, Ala., are considering whether to upgrade the county's P25 radio system for police, fire and other agencies. A study about options and costs will likely be conducted.

The startup’s roots are in hooking up fire agencies with building data. But in five years, it’s expanded into other areas of IT and dipped into EMS and police, too. With new investment, it hopes to double its headcount.

As public safety agencies buy new software, Versaterm continues its acquisition spree. SPIDR’s products enable police officers to better communicate with 911 callers, crime victims and citizens.

A company says it has been purposefully excluded from a multimillion-dollar contract in California with the city of Bakersfield, Kern County and Tejon Ranch to upgrade the county’s public safety communication network.

Emergency workers and communication centers can use new technology to ensure quick and accurate responses. Connecting those agencies with more software providers would help with those efforts.

Pennsylvania State University is expanding its use of FirstNet, AT&T's dedicated telecommunications network for first responders, to include all its police officers and key personnel across several campuses.