Baltimore City’s 9-1-1 dispatch system was breached by hackers last weekend. The breach lasted for 16 hours and was perpetrated by an unknown actor or actors. An investigation is underway. Mayor Catherine Pugh’s office emphasized that the incident was a “limited breach” and that critical services were not impacted or disrupted. The breach forced details … Continue reading Hackers Target Baltimore City 9-1-1 Dispatch System
The General Assembly today took a major step towards advancing Next Generation 9-1-1 in Maryland. Senate Bill 285, sponsored by Senator Cheryl Kagan, passed the Senate unanimously on February 20. Its cross-file, House Bill 634, sponsored by Delegate Michael Jackson, passed the House of Delegates unanimously on March 15. SB 285/ HB 634 is a 2018 MACo Legislative Initiative. … Continue reading General Assembly Passes MACo 9-1-1 Initiative
9-1-1 telecommunicators operate in a very stressful environment, and the nature of the job has made it difficult for counties to maintain a consistent staff over a long period of time. Senate Bill 1053 would allow local governments to expand benefits to these public safety telecommunicators and their dependants by implementing a tax credit up … Continue reading Expanding Benefits Another Tool for Counties to Retain 9-1-1 Telecommunicators
The Maryland Association of County Emergency Manager’s Emergency Communications Committee issued a press release Tuesday, February 27 regarding the recent announcement of Text to 9-1-1. Five key takeaways from the press release: TEXT to 9-1-1 capabilities currently exists only in Frederick County, which has served as a pilot for this technology since 2013. At this time, … Continue reading Five Fast Facts: Text to 9-1-1
MACo Policy Associate Kevin Kinnally testified before the House Health and Government Operations Committee in support of House Bill 634, “Commission to Advance Next Generation 9-1-1 Across Maryland – Establishment”, on February 21, 2018. Next Generation 9-1-1 helps to innovate and improve the exemplary and essential services required of emergency services in the state of … Continue reading MACo Initiative: Commission Would Advance Transformation of 9-1-1 Services Across Maryland
The Maryland Senate took the first step towards advancing Next Generation 9-1-1 in Maryland. Senate Bill 285, sponsored by Senator Cheryl Kagan, passed the Senate unanimously and has crossed over to the House. Its cross-file, House Bill 634, sponsored by Delegate Michael Jackson, will be heard on February 21 in the House Government Operations Committee. Maryland … Continue reading Senate Passes MACo 9-1-1 Initiative
Both county and municipal governments, still feeling the permanent effects of devastating cutbacks to state roadway funding, have made restoring Highway User Revenues a perennial legislative priority. HB 1569, introduced today, represents a compromise between counties and municipalities, whereby all local governments would have their local share of Highway User Revenues fully restored. A law … Continue reading Conduit Street Podcast: 9-1-1 Takes Center Stage, Huge Drop of Bills Introduced, Sick Leave Law Looms, and Senate Changes Afoot
MACo Policy Associate Kevin Kinnally testified before the Senate Finance Committee in support of Senate Bill 285, “Commission to Advance Next Generation 9-1-1 Across Maryland – Establishment”, on February 6, 2018. Next Generation 9-1-1 helps to innovate and improve the exemplary and essential services required of emergency services in the state of Maryland. By establishing … Continue reading MACo Initiative: Next Gen 9-1-1 Commission Would Guide MD Forward
Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) issues are of top concern for county governments officials seeking to improve and enhance their handling of emergency calls from cell phone users. NG911 will enable the public to make voice, text, or video calls from any communications device via Internet Protocol-based networks. Linked call centers will also be able to … Continue reading Washington County Prepares for Next Generation 9-1-1
Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) issues are of top concern for county governments officials seeking to improve and enhance their handling of emergency calls from cell phone users. New technologies will increase response times, location accuracy, and allow traditional callers to text and send photo and video data directly to first responders. As Maryland and its … Continue reading Next-Generation 9-1-1: What It Means For County Coffers
