The APCO Institute has expanded the eligibility requirements for individuals interested in applying for its Certified Public-Safety Executive (CPE) Program. Effective immediately, you are now eligible to apply for the program if you possess a high school diploma and have at least 10 years’ experience in public safety communications at the supervisor, manager or director level. And, as always, APCO Registered Public-Safety Leaders (RPLs) and those with an associate’s degree or higher are eligible to apply as well. The CPE application deadline is April 15. Scholarships are available and must be applied for before March 31. For more information.

Beginning April 1, there will be a new track available in the APCO Institute’s Illuminations lineup. The new Instructor Illuminations Program provides participants access to four quarterly online courses that focus on subjects of particular interest to instructors. Topics offered during the coming year include: student achievement; achieving deeper learning; multiple intelligences; and lesson planning. Participants earn three CDEs for each course, for a total of 12 per year. For more information.

TDM Transition to Ethernet for Public Safety With Cybersecurity in Mind
February 22 | 2 -3 p.m. ET
Drawing from its deep knowledge and experience with complex Department of Defense cybersecurity programs, IPKeys will offer suggestions to help manage cybersecurity risks during and after a transition to an ethernet system.
Sponsored by IPKeys Technologies
Register

Social Media and Public Safety Communications: The Positive and the Negative
March 14, 2017 | 2 -3 p.m. ET
This webinar will examine the use of social media in public safety and the relationship between its use and the effects on the communications center.
Register

APCO is seeking an individual for the position of Standards Program Manager. The incumbent will oversee standards projects and development as assigned and serve as the primary staff liaison to the Standards Development Committee and associated subcommittes and work groups.

Join us at the Tech Forum taking place February 28 - March 1 in Raleigh, N.C.

Topics Include:

• NG9-1-1 Implementation Strategies & Considerations
• Improving 9-1-1 Location Accuracy
• Text-to-9-1-1
• Cybersecurity & Public Safety Communications
• APCO's Project 43: Broadband Implications for the PSAP
• Developments With FirstNet
  
• Emerging Technologies: Regulatory & Legislative Updates

View the program

Guy Ball, Telecommunications Services Engineer
Guy has been at APCO since June of 2015 and currently serves as the primary local advisor and frequency coordinator for several states. Additionally, he is the author of articles for PSC magazine relative to 4.9GHz, LTE and various subjects. Guy has 35 years of experience in the cellular industry as a microwave/RF transmission planner for international and domestic corporations such as Hutchison Whampoa Ltd. of Hong Kong, Telus Communications of Canada, and the AT&T Corp. APCO plans to move the focus of his responsibilities more towards frequency coordination of microwave systems in the 4.9GHz band in the future. Guy currently resides in Marietta, Georgia.

Noel Armstrong joined the Virginia State Police in November 2000 as a Communications Engineer and became an APCO local advisor about a year later. Noel's electronics background started with the U.S. Army where he was trained on the Nike Hercules Missile Systems and then instructed the tracking radars and Ground Guidance computer system for three years in uniform and seven more as a civilian.

Charlotte Fire Communications, N.C., has met the minimum training standards for APCO International's Agency Training Program Certification and has been awarded certification as of February 2, 2017.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, N.C., has met the minimum training standards for APCO International's Agency Training Program Certification and has been awarded certification as of January 25, 2017.

Raleigh-Wake Emergency Communications Center, N.C., has met the minimum training standards for APCO International's Agency Training Program Certification and has been awarded certification as of February 2, 2017.

CitiesSpeak First responders across the country will benefit from using next generation tools with prioritized, wireless broadband. As cities continue to think about getting "smarter," FirstNet hopes to work with them to be part of the solution.

Fox 8 Cleveland City dispatchers get constant calls from people in distress, but one on Monday night made hearts skip a beat.

In the outskirts of Las Vegas there exists a unique school, The Veteran’s Tribute Career and Technical Academy (VTCTA), dedicated to preparing students for careers in public service.