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.
APCO International and Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS) Partner to Advance Public Safety Communications Globally
The partnership brings APCO’s industry-leading training to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Alexandria, VA – Today, APCO International entered into a landmark partnership with Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS) to deliver APCO’s industry-leading training to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This strategic partnership goes beyond a traditional training agreement, representing a comprehensive approach […]
Motorola Solutions Foundation Awards $50,000 Grant to APCO International in Support of Professional Development Scholarships
Motorola Solutions Foundation, the charitable arm of Motorola Solutions, has generously awarded a $50,000 grant to the APCO International to support the Commercial Partner Scholarship Program.
APCO Hosts Second 9-1-1 Staffing Crisis Summit
On October 22-24 more than 200 attendees from public safety communications gathered for APCO’s 9-1-1 Staffing Crisis Summit in Fort Worth, Texas. Session topics varied from lessons learned from ECC leaders who have implemented retention strategies to how to prepare your ECC for the next generation 9-1-1 professional.
APCO Applauds FCC Action Securing the 4.9 GHz Band for Public Safety
The 4.9 GHz spectrum band is used by the public safety community for broadband communications. APCO has long played an active role in proceedings at the Federal Communications Commission about the future of this band, strongly advocating for the interests of public safety. We believe that public safety users should have primary, interference-free access to the band, and that public safety use should be optimized in a manner that promotes innovation, helps modernize public safety communications and enables 5G services., the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a long-anticipated Report and Order concerning licensing and use of the 4.9 GHz band.
Young Professional Spotlight: Trae Maeder, Lee County Port Authority (Fla.)
The APCO Young Professionals Committee is proud to announce Trae Maeder as this quarter’s Young Professional Spotlight. Hailing from Florida, Trae has worked in several different roles of 9-1-1 dispatching and contributed his knowledge to multiple committees and organizations over his nine years of service.
Cyber Serious
Global public safety communication systems have increasingly become cyberattack targets and the threat is growing. These cyberattacks can adversely affect citizens who may be cut off from immediate emergency assistance or first responders who may be left without the proper information, communications and support they need to do their jobs and stay safe.
Teammates-in-Action: Britt Whitmire
This date of a notable action by Whitmire given of 2/23/2024 only comes to mind because it is the most recent date that Britt Whitmire worked overtime. That within itself may not sound special or unique.
Teammates-in-Action: Dispatcher Robin Donahue, Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency
On March 14, 2024, Dispatcher Robin Donahue fielded a phone call from a female who was reporting the male she was with was having a mental health crisis.
Public Safety Officials Urge Congress to Enact Legislation to Fund Next Generation 9-1-1 at Capitol Hill Event
On September 17, the Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition, consisting of APCO and the nation’s leading national public safety associations, held a summit on Capitol Hill demonstrating the urgency for Congress to fully fund the transition of today’s aging and vulnerable 9-1-1 networks to a modern, secure, interoperable and innovative Next Generation 9-1-1 system throughout all areas of the United States.
Teammates-in-Action: Stephanie Stone, Tim Walters and Wade Davis, Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office
A 9-1-1 call was received in the early afternoon hours of October 20, 2023, which led to a series of events. A distraught female was reporting a male intruder with a gun in her residence.
Teammates-in-Action: Derrik Gregg, Scottsdale Communications
On Friday, September 1, 2023 in Scottsdale, Arizona, at approximately 0238 hours, Communications Supervisor Derrik Gregg received a 9-1-1 call that disconnected shortly after he answered.
APCO and NENA Ask Harris, Trump Campaigns to Support NG9-1-1 Funding and Nationwide Implementation
Today, APCO International and NENA: The 9-1-1 Association sent joint letters to the presidential campaigns of Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz, and former President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, inviting a campaign pledge to support full federal funding for the nationwide implementation of Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1).
Teammates-in-Action: Lyz Wood, Pampa Police Department
On February 27, 2024, Telecommunications Operator Lyz Wood of the Pampa Police Department in Pampa Texas, was dealing with several wildfires that were threatening the city of Pampa and the county.
Teammates-in-Action: Telecommunicators Hake and Cummings, Williamson County Department of Emergency Services
On November 7, 2023, Williamson County Department of Emergency Services in Tennessee received a call for a fire in a wood line. That fire began to grow quickly from being small to peaking at 150 acres.
APCO 2024: Second General Business Meeting
APCO members elected the association’s new 1st Vice President and 2nd Vice President Tuesday as results were announced during the Second General Business Session in the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
APCO 2024: Opening General Session
Hundreds gathered in the Orange County Convention Center Valencia Ballroom for the Opening General Session of the Annual Conference & Expo, APCO 2024 in Orlando, Florida, on Monday.
APCO 2024: First General Business Session
The first day of the 90th Annual Conference & Expo, APCO 2024 in Orlando, Florida, concluded with the General Business Session on Sunday as members declared their candidacies for the APCO 1st Vice President position, new life members were named and the association’s government relations progress was outlined.
APCO Makes Compelling Case to Reclassify 9-1-1 Professionals at the Federal Level
Today, APCO submitted comments to the Office of Management and Budget urging the agency to reclassify Public Safety Telecommunicators (PSTs) from the current Office and Administrative Support Occupations category to the Protective Service Occupations category in the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC).
Silent Key: Mark Spross
Mark Spross, RPL, CPE and APCO International’s second vice president, passed away last weekend.
