Earn Free CDEs With PSC Magazine Articles and Exams

Each issue of PSC magazine contains two continuing dispatch education (CDE) articles. Read the article and take the accompanying exam, available in the magazine and online, to earn continuing education credit. Unless indicated otherwise, each article and exam is worth one CDE.

Please note: Dated materials or information are current, applicable and relevant only as of the date of their issue and should not be relied upon as being current after that date. Nor is any of this information intended to serve as agency guidelines. As always, APCO advises you to follow your agency’s policies and procedures.

CDE #73781 On the Origin of Standards

When it comes to public safety communications, standards are more than just best practices. Standards ensure proper training is given to allow the telecommunicator to perform their duties with confidence, knowing their procedures are reliable and consistent. The standards development process is vital to maintaining public safety at the highest level whether it is addressing new technology or lessons learned from real world emergencies.

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Standards are subject to a rigorous development process before spelling out expectations for public safety communications.

CDE #73782 Adding Up the Past, Present and Future

Almost all facets of technology have eclipsed the good old days. While we may fondly recall these “simpler” times, we don’t really want to return to them. Aside from technology, we have also made great strides in training, recruiting, self-care, the evolution of job duties and efforts at reclassification. This article is part history lesson, part progress report and part futuristic projection.

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A ride on the public safety communications timeline demonstrates the promise and perils of its rapidly changing landscape.

More CDE Articles

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Using CDE Articles for Recertification

To receive a complimentary certificate of completion.
Take the CDE exam online. Go to ​http://apco.remote-learner.net/login/index.php to create your username and password. Enter “CDE article” in the search box, and click on “Public Safety Communications Magazine Article Exams,” then click on ”enroll me” and choose the name of the CDE to begin the exam. Upon successful completion of the exam, a certificate of achievement will be available for download/printing.

To use the CDE articles for credit toward APCO recertification(s)
Each CDE article is equal to one credit hour of continuing education

  1. Study the CDE article in this issue.
  2. Answer the test questions online or on the quiz page from the magazine article. (Photocopies are not required.)
  3. Add/upload your CDE article information and certificate of achievement in the “My Classes Taken” section of APCO’s Training Central.

To use the CDE articles for anything other than APCO recertifications and get a printed copy of the certificate:

  1. Answer the test questions. Photocopies are acceptable, but please don’t enlarge them.
  2. Fill out the ordering information below and mail with the completed exam to:
    APCO Institute
    351 N. Williamson Blvd.
    Daytona Beach, FL 32114
  3. Include payment of $15.