Augmented (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are finding holds in the commercial market as consumers adopt the technology for gaming, learning and other users. While not as established as it is in the commercial market, AR is also beginning to creep into the public-safety market.

L3Harris Technologies’ XL line of portable radios are now compatible with the G1 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) designed and manufactured by MSA, improving communications for firefighters in volatile conditions.

To enhance public safety and quality of life in communities across northern Illinois, ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus announced grants of up to $10,000 each to 25 public agencies through the ComEd Powering Safe Communities Program. From radios to cameras, the projects address critical safety needs in the communities ComEd serves.

Loudon County E9-1-1 in Tennessee completed a major upgrade to its dispatch communications system, adding redundancy and regional interoperability to the county’s primary public safety answering point (PSAP).

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) is deploying two new cell sites in Warren County, North Carolina, as part of its network expansion in the state. The sites — located in Warrenton and near Lake Gaston — are increasing coverage, capacity and capability to first responders across the state.

The FCC issued a $39,278 fine against Ocean Hinson of Surry County, North Carolina, for intentional misuse of a local public-safety radio communications network in violation of the Communications Act of 1934. Hinson impersonated first responders in unauthorized radio communications on Surry County’s licensed public-safety frequency.

Mark43 a cloud-based public safety software provider, partnered with Forensic Logic, a provider of search technology and cloud-based information capabilities to law enforcement. The partnership will waive any integration or setup fees for the companies’ mutual customers to allow agencies to feed standard data from Mark43’s CAD and records management system (RMS) into Forensic Logic’s COPLINK X, a national search engine and analysis platform.

The European Emergency Number Association (EENA) released a report card on the deployment of advanced mobile location (AML) technology, used to locate emergency callers.

Communications & Power Industries (CPI) agreed to purchase SATCOM Technologies, the antenna systems business of General Dynamics Mission Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics.

A Public Safety Technology Alliance (PSTA) subcommittee identified the Project 25 (P25) Digital Fixed Station Interface (DFSI) as the best integration protocol standard for LMR and Long Term Evolution (LTE) interoperability. The subcommittee said an enhanced radio over IP (RoIP) protocol could also be developed to address DFSI’s shortcomings.