Black & Veatch announced the availability of “Strategic Directions: Utility Automation & Integration” report. The inaugural report highlights many of the common issues that utilities of all types face with regard to adding greater levels of intelligence to their network operations.

The IJIS Institute developed a report on procurement reform. The report is an essential read for those involved in the procurement process within state and local government, the authors said.

Presidential Partners Consulting released a white paper on the perceived impact of broadband to telecommunicators and 9-1-1 centers.

The term “first responder” has no federal definition, although it is commonly used to refer to law enforcement, fire and emergency medical personnel, a report found after examining federal law, regulation and other federal executive branch documents. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) Special Committee on Transportation Security & Emergency Management and the Special Committee on Wireless Communications Technology sponsored the report.

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) joined with the Latin American Association of Research Centers and Telecommunication Enterprises (AHCIET) in signing an honorary and friendship agreement to promote further growth and development of the telecommunications industries of the United States and the world at large.

A wide range of topics comprised the list of most clicked on news items from the MissionCritical Communications website this year.

A report from the National 9-1-1 Program and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) provides data and statistics on the status of 9-1-1 services nationwide.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) released a report on 9-1-1 services and invited Canadians to share their views on its findings and recommendations.

A new study found that nearly one-third (28 percent) of emergency managers identified the public’s varied communications preferences as the greatest challenge they face. The 2013 Federal Signal Public Safety Survey asked emergency managers about the most significant challenges they face and the measures they are taking to address them.

The National Emergency Number Association (NENA) released two text-to-9-1-1 papers for public-safety answering points (PSAPs) and 9-1-1 authorities.