On June 23, the Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus Co-Chairs – Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA), and Representative John Shimkus (R-IL) – sent a bipartisan letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) urging OMB to revise the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) to accurately represent the complex and life-saving nature of the work performed by 9-1-1 professionals. This is a welcome development that will aid APCO’s ongoing efforts to 1) use the title "Public Safety Telecommunicators" (instead of "dispatchers) and 2) classify them as a "protective" occupation, in the same category as police officers and firefighters (instead of in the administrative/clerical category). APCO will continue its efforts to ensure these professionals receive the recognition they deserve and will continue monitoring the process for further updates. (The SOC does not have a direct legal relationship to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Reclassification in the SOC would not, by itself, open the door for different treatment under FLSA.) Read more.

Scott Andrews currently serves as the Communications Division Manager for Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District. Previously, he worked for eight years as the RF Engineer for the City of Sacramento managing all public safety communications systems and winning the IT Employee of the Year in 2013.

Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office, Calif., has met the minimum training standards for APCO's Agency Training Program Certification and has been awarded certification as of June 17, 2016.

Virginia Beach Emergency Communications and Citizen Services (ECCS), Va., has met the minimum training standards for APCO's Agency Training Program Certification and has been awarded certification as of June 17, 2016.

On June 22, Reps. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) and Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) requested an update from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) on the implementation of NextGen 9-1-1 systems across the country and the impact diverting local and state 9-1-1 fees has had on emergency services.

Mission Critical Communications A National Governors Association employee and a Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General official outlined concerns their organizations have with the First Responder Network Authority during a Senate Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation and the Internet hearing June 21.

Focus Daily News Council members in Glenn Heights, Tex., recently voted to upgrade the city’s aging 9-1-1 system, improving response times by allowing necessary personnel to know where first responders are at the time calls are received.

Ellwood City Ledger Lawrence County's emergency management staff has been in its new headquarters for only a few months, but Tina Marshall, the county's emergency management planner, already isn't sure how the department functioned in its previous facility.

Knoxville News Sentinel The Knox County E-911 Board of Directors agreed to a per-radio price to use the Tennessee Valley Regional Communications System, a move toward what appears to be the county's eventual plan to join the network.

Through an engaging fox character and a catchy jingle, several local agencies in Columbia, S.C., are helping young children know when and how to dial 9-1-1.