APCO International announced this week that Nicole McGinnis has accepted the position of Chief Counsel. Nicole joins APCO after serving the last 10 years in various leadership positions with the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau.
Eye of the Storm
As a public safety telecommunicator in Buncombe County, North Carolina, for more than eight years, I have experienced many critical incidents. But nothing could have prepared me for the catastrophe that the city of Asheville experienced during Hurricane Helene.
APCO Hosts Second 9-1-1 Wellness Summit
On March 2-3, more than 150 attendees gathered for the second 9-1-1 Wellness Summit in Portland, Oregon.
Young Professional Spotlight: Haley Wright, City of Shawnee 9-1-1 (Okla.)
The APCO Young Professionals Committee is proud to announce Haley Wright as the January 2025 Spotlight winner.
The Livestream Leap
For years the 9-1-1 industry has been told that Next Generation 9-1-1 is on the horizon — it is coming soon so get ready. ECCs around the country are adopting technology that brings either livestreaming video into the 9-1-1 center or live 9-1-1 calls into the patrol car.
APCO International Announces Recipients of the 9-1-1 Impact Awards
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International announces the recipients of its inaugural 9-1-1 Impact Awards, who will be honored during an awards reception in Washington, D.C. The 9-1-1 Impact Awards replace the Public Safety Communications Leadership in Policy Awards to encompass a wider range of eligible recipients.
Silent Key: Weldon Joe Blair
Weldon Joe Blair, 88, a life and senior member of APCO, passed away January 4.
Joe was a U.S. Army veteran and worked on classified projects for Collins Radio. He also worked at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. A lifetime member of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), Joe enjoyed meeting and talking to people worldwide as a Ham Radio operator.
APCO CTO Appointed to US Department of Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee
The Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo recently appointed APCO International Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Steve Devine as a member of the US Department of Commerce’s Spectrum Management Advisory Committee (CSMAC). Devine brings 40 years of experience in public safety communications spanning from spectrum management, dispatch operations and Project 25 technologies.
Young Professional Spotlight: Kirstie Brokaw, Genesee County 9-1-1 (Mich.)
Meet Kirstie Brokaw, a dedicated 9-1-1 telecommunicator who has been making a difference at Genesee County 9-1-1 for over seven years. Kirstie is a Certified Training Officer (CTO), LEIN TAC, and an active member of the public relations team.
FCC Announces Deadline for 4.9 GHz Licensees to Update Licensing Data
On December 9, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a Public Notice announcing that all 4.9 GHz public safety licensees must update their granular licensing data in the Universal Licensing System (ULS) by June 9, 2025.
