Every year, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC) honors people who go above and beyond to help protect our nation’s most valuable resource – our children. On May 11 NCMEC celebrated its 2023 HEROES at the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. Among the recipients, NCMEC is proud to honor the heroic actions of Idaho State Police Trooper David Wesche and Idaho State Police Communications Center Supervisor Ray Shute, who played an instrumental role in rescuing 11-year-old missing child, Gabriel Daugherty, from a remote wilderness in Idaho. When Trooper Wesche noticed the same vehicle parked on the side of the road for over a week, he knew something wasn’t right. His keen instincts and persistence sparked an investigation that crossed the country, more than 2,000 miles away to a parental child abduction in LaGrange, Georgia. Despite the challenges posed by the remote location and lack of communication, Trooper Wesche worked closely with Communications Center Supervisor Shute to gather crucial information and launch a full-scale missing child investigation. Trooper Wesche and his team worked tirelessly to navigate dangerous terrain and ultimately found Gabriel and taking parent, Addam Daugherty. They were sick and weak, but alive. Daugherty was taken into custody and extradited back to Georgia to face the charge of interstate interference with custody. NCMEC commends the bravery and dedication of Trooper Wesche and Communications Supervisor Shute, who saved Gabriel's life and returned him home safely to his mother.
|
The Anchor
The Massachusetts Communications Supervisor Association honored the team for their work in connection with a vehicle crash into an Apple Store in Hingham on November 21.
|
The Observer
“I knew that if I didn’t stay calm, they would not," said Toni Grove, a six-year veteran of the La Grande (Oregon) Police Department Communications Division.
|
KCII Radio
Laura Roen was recognized for her ability to communicate with first responders, think clearly and relay information in a wide variety of situations, and work in a coordinated team manner.
|
LevittownNow.com
Bucks County, Pennsylvania, public safety telecommunicator Kylie Mierzwa guided the manager through CPR after one of his customers went into cardiac arrest.
|
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) published a joint cybersecurity alert this week that provides background information, detailed technical descriptions and recommendations for mitigation strategies. This malware originated from Russia and is considered one of the most sophisticated cyber espionage tools designed by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) for long-term intelligence collection.
The Snake malware is designed to avoid large-scale detection. This joint cybersecurity alert details mitigation strategies and each strategy's advantages and disadvantages. The mitigation strategies for the Snake malware are:
- Network-based detection
- Host-based detection
- Memory analysis
Read more
|
The APCO Institute now offers an online examination for emergency communications center (ECC) professionals seeking radio technician certification. The examination covers the material that a two-way radio technician working in an ECC should know, including FCC regulations, basic electronics and special issues encountered in public safety communications. The exam is for working technicians (not engineers), covers troubleshooting and applies to radio technicians. Upon successful completion of the examination, the certification is valid for five years.
Learn more
|
This article originally appeared in the May/June 2023 issue of PSC magazine.
Most of us know that not many people can handle working in an emergency communications center (ECC). A quick Google search shows updated average dispatch tenure is now one to two years, down from three years previously listed. Some may lack the technological savvy to operate increasingly complex technology; some may be unable to multitask and talk/type or listen/type or operate computer applications at the same time; many leave because the calls stress them out. What about the others though? What about those who can master the skillset needed but leave anyway? Why do they leave? I thought I’d ask them, and here is what they have to say.
|
Space is available in upcoming training during June and July.
Courses starting in June:
- Thermal, Radiation, Chemical and Electrical Burns. EMD Track – Illuminations CDE Program (Annual Subscription). June 1 | Online | 1 CDE
- Recognizing Sexual Assault. General Track – Illuminations CDE Program (Annual Subscription). June 1 | Online |1 CDE
- Crisis Negotiations for Telecommunicators, 2nd Edition. June 6 | Virtual Classroom | 8 CDEs
- Comprehensive Quality. June 14-July 18 | Online | 16 CDEs
- Fundamentals of Tactical Dispatch. June 28-July 18 | Online| 16 CDEs
Courses Starting in July:
- The Newly Released Trainee – Friend or Foe? CTO Track – Illuminations CDE Program (Annual Subscription). July 1 | Online | 1 CDE
- Communications Center Supervisor, 5th Edition. July 5-7 | Virtual Classroom | 24 CDEs
- Active Shooter Incidents for Public Safety Communications, 2nd Edition. July 5-25 | Online | 8 CDEs
- Cybersecurity Fundamentals for the ECC. July 11 | Virtual Classroom | 8 CDEs
- Bullying and Negativity in the Communications Center, 2nd Edition. July 31 | Virtual Classroom | 8 CDEs
View more upcoming training
|
|
| |
|
