The Winter 2017 Session of APCO’s Certified Public-Safety Executive (CPE) Program begins January 4 and time is running out to apply. Completed applications must be submitted no later than October 16. Seats are limited, so don't wait until the last minute.

Why should you consider the CPE Program? See what current program participants have to say.

Complete the APCO Institute Survey before midnight EDT this Saturday, October 1, and you’ll be eligible to win a free Institute online course like these people did: Jennifer Hassell, Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, Boone, N.C.; Natalie Martin, Washington State Police, Bremerton, Wash.; and Captain Kathy Sherwood, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, Slidell, La.

Our final winners will be announced the week of October 3. Don’t wait to participate. The survey closes at midnight on Saturday.

Network, earn CEUs and meet technology providers in Seattle at APCO's Tech Forum taking place November 1-2. Guest speakers include Chief Kathleen O’Toole of the Seattle Police Department; William Andrew Leneweaver, Deputy State E911 Coordinator for Enterprise Systems, Washington State E911 Coordinator’s Office; and Jeff Jonson, Vice Chair of FirstNet. Check out the program.

We have extended our hotel deadline so you have more time to get your room booked at a special rate.

Rich Bumgarner is APCO’s Local Frequency Advisor for Maryland and the District of Columbia and alternate advisor for Delaware. He earned a BSEE (Electronics) degree from Washington State University, has worked for the federal government on overseas projects and for state and local governments planning, installing, upgrading and managing public safety radio systems, from low-band simplex to 700/800 MHz P-25 Phase II trunked systems, with a bit of microwave and fiber connectivity thrown in to keep things interesting.

FirstNet FirstNet recently joined public safety agencies from the Virginia Beach/Hampton Roads metro area to discuss what FirstNet is, how the agencies currently use data, what their mobile broadband needs are and how FirstNet will benefit them in the future.

Mission Critical Communications Ten states, a Virginia county and the District of Columbia submitted comments to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) regarding the State Alternative Plan Program (SAPP) and the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet). Concerns about the timing, additional information from federal entities overseeing the process, grant evaluation, transparency and other issues were raised in the comments.

HOUSE.gov Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, Ranking Member Anna Eshoo, and committee member Rep. John Shimkus asked why the agencies have failed to satisfy their requirements under the Next Generation 911 Advancement Act.

FCC The Federal Communications Commission recently adopted rules to update and strengthen Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), a system that delivers critical warnings and information to Americans on their wireless phones.

News10 Senator Chuck Schumer says emergency text alerts should include photos to help track down terror suspects. Schumer wants the FCC to upgrade the nation’s wireless emergency alert system, which is only capable of sending 90-character messages, and can’t transmit photos or video.

Pryme iPhone Compatible Bluetooth Accessories Optimize Kodiak Broadband Push-To-Talk Solutions

Motorola Solutions to Expand Command Center Capabilities with Spillman Technologies Acquisition

Orange County, VA Selects Federal Engineering for Broadband and Radio Consulting

Satellite Broadband Communication in Public Safety Market to Witness Higher Sales with Growing Demand for Satellite Communication in Emergency Situations