First Responders

Gov. Greg Abbott announced the debut Wednesday of the Naloxone Distribution Interactive Map, which shows where to get the opioid overdose-reversing drug. The state required tracking of overdoses starting in late 2023.

Starting June 1, any phone number with a Denver billing address will see an increased fee that will go toward speeding the time it takes to answer 911 calls, which has lagged in the city largely due to staffing issues.

Minnesota wants widespread roadside drug testing, but pilot data reveals key limitations and practicality concerns agencies must consider. Government Technology broke down the data within "spit" test discrepancies.

EMS providers and legislators warn that Gov. Lamont's proposed cuts to Medicaid reimbursements could result in understaffing and delays in critical care, especially for rural and underserved communities.

The city's new program sends trained, unarmed ambassadors to assist police in carrying out low-risk tasks, like directing traffic at accident scenes, and allows officers to focus on crime and public safety emergencies.

The public safety technology firm has partnered with home security company Arlo to provide more video data to first responders. The service could speed up responses and reduce false alarms.

The funding is part of $37 million statewide from the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program, meant for equipment purchases, training, facility upgrades and other operational costs.

Proposed legislation would put 911 call takers, currently classified as "clerical workers," in the same category as police officers, firefighters and corrections officers in the New Mexico Public Employees Retirement Act.

As some public safety agencies are experiencing more flexibility and speed in getting waivers from the Federal Aviation Administration for advanced drone programs, experts predict the use of UAS to rapidly rise.

The facility allows firefighters to practice in live-burn simulations, which department leadership said helps them better respond to emergencies. The project was funded by a half-percent public safety sales tax initiative.

The bipartisan bill would establish a dedicated mental health hotline for police, fire and EMS workers to provide support, information, intervention and substance use resources.

The deal comes as emergency communications and dispatch technology offers more real-time data and mapping tools, among other advances. RapidDeploy launched in 2013 and has raised more than $80 million in funding.

A study finds that compensation for police, fire and emergency medical services workers, among other positions, in Virginia Beach, Va., is 5 to 10 percent lower than comparable jurisdictions.

The CZU inferno destroyed about 700 homes in Santa Cruz County. Of those, 127 residences have been rebuilt and another 134 are under construction, according to the county.

Watch Duty’s success raises questions about why citizen-led tech is outpacing government emergency response efforts. The company’s co-founder explores the lessons agencies can learn from this citizen-driven model.

Geospatial data serves as the foundational building block for crucial mapping and communications tools used by state and local government agencies in responding to fast-moving disasters like wildfires.

Matthew McLamb will step in as geographic information officer for the state. Formerly assistant director of the North Carolina Center for Geographic Information and Analysis, he will now also serve as its executive director.

Gov. Brian Kemp has issued a state of emergency ahead of severe winter weather expected to arrive overnight into Friday in metropolitan Atlanta. Agencies are mindful of 2014’s epic snowfall.