Blog

The 2024 Hurricane Season underscored the vulnerability of emergency communication systems, particularly Land Mobile Radio (LMR) and E911 services. Hurricanes Helene and Milton revealed critical weaknesses that Emergency Managers, E911 Directors, Public Safety Officials and Community Leaders in those effected regions must address to ensure operational continuity during disasters. Considering the increasing severity and frequency of extreme weather events, now is the time for community leaders to take a hard look at the reliability of their current emergency radio systems. Aging infrastructure, lack of interoperability, and insufficient redundancy continue to plague many jurisdictions. We all get busy with our current [...]

In February 2025, TUSA Consulting Services conveyed how cell/fiber outages are becoming too common, negatively affecting the reliability of emergency communications—and this customer testimony verifies such argument. When a single fiber cut disrupted two Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), the impact was immediate and deeply concerning. These critical 911 centers are the lifelines for emergency response in their communities, and the inability to receive or dispatch calls due to a preventable infrastructure failure is unacceptable. The frequency of such outages, combined with the apparent lack of sufficient redundancy and proactive customer support, underscores a systemic issue that cannot be ignored. [...]

The only thing sweeter than kicking off this exciting project with the City of Lee's Summit was the cookies—thanks to Amy Zents from Motorola Solutions for the thoughtful snacks! TUSA Consulting Services is proud to continue our professional consulting services with the City of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and to provide technical support for a state-of-the-art Joint Operations Center. This new ICC500 hardened facility will bring together the city’s police, fire, and emergency management services under one roof, creating a more coordinated and resilient hub for public safety. In addition to the new operations center, the project includes upgrading the city’s [...]

After 13 years of dedicated service with the Barrow County 911 Cener—and a distinguished career serving in several official capacities throughout the Northeast Georgia area— and great friend and colleague, William Wright retired as Barrow County’s 911 Director effective in May, 2025. William’s leadership, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to public safety have made a lasting impact on the community and the broader region. His contributions have helped shape the future of emergency communications in Georgia, and his legacy will continue to influence those who follow in his footsteps. TUSA Consulting Services extends our heartfelt congratulations and deepest gratitude to William [...]

As emergency communication systems evolve, many public safety officials are evaluating whether consolidating 911 centers into regional Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) is the best path forward. While consolidation can offer significant benefits, it also presents challenges that agencies must carefully consider. At TUSA Consulting Services, we provide vendor-agnostic guidance to public safety agencies navigating these critical decisions. Below, we examine the pros and cons of 911 center consolidation to help agencies determine the best solution for their communities. ​The trend of consolidating 911 centers into regional Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) has significantly reduced the number of PSAPs in [...]

TUSA Consulting Services was honored to serve as a Platinum Sponsor for this year’s Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) Telecommunicators Appreciation Celebration Awards Ceremony, held on Friday, April 11, 2025. The event recognized the tireless efforts, professionalism, and heroism of 911 public safety dispatchers across the region. The evening was more than just an awards ceremony—it was a deeply humbling experience, and a powerful reminder of the critical role dispatchers play, not only in public safety operations but in the very fabric of our communities. From the first call to the final resolution, 911 professionals are the calm in the chaos, [...]

TUSA Consulting Services had an incredible time at the Emergency Managers Association of Georgia (EMAG) Annual Conference from April 8–10, 2025 on beautiful Jekyll Island, GA! We’re proud to support the emergency management community and connect with professionals who share our mission of strengthening public safety through resilient communications. From impactful sessions to insightful conversations at our booth — EMAG 2025 delivered on all fronts! Congratulations to our conference giveaway winner — Mandy Juarez, Field Coordinator for Georgia's Area 4 Emergency Management and Homeland Security! We're honored to support the work you do every day for your communities. Thank you [...]

At TUSA Consulting Services, our commitment to leadership extends beyond emergency communications—we believe in shaping the future. Chief Marketing Officer Jason Whitaker recently took time out of his day to mentor high school students in his local Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter, delivering an insightful session on Unlocking the Power of Business and Marketing. Whitaker’s presentation introduced students to key marketing principles, real-world business strategies, and the importance of effective communication. By sharing his own experiences in the industry, he provided a behind-the-scenes look at how marketing drives success—not just for companies like TUSA, but for any aspiring [...]

Tornadoes are among the most destructive natural disasters, capable of obliterating infrastructure in seconds and sometimes with short warning. Among the critical systems at risk during such events are emergency communication networks, including Land Mobile Radio (LMR) and Broadband/LTE systems. When these networks fail, the consequences can be dire, hampering emergency responders and endangering lives, when the need for communication is critical. This article examines documented incidents from the past four years where tornadoes negatively impacted emergency communication systems and highlights how TUSA Consulting Services’ PHASE I Needs Assessment and PHASE IV Maintenance and Audit offering can help identify and [...]

TUSA Consulting Services would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Julie McClure, Emergency Management & Communications Director for McPherson County, Kansas, on her well-earned retirement after an incredible 31 years of service. Julie’s career has been defined by an unwavering commitment to public safety, and her leadership has left a lasting impact on McPherson County and beyond. True to her dedication, Julie didn’t let retirement slow her down. Even as she prepared to step away, she continued working tirelessly during the recent tornado outbreak that affected counties in Kansas and seven other states. Her selflessness in the face of [...]