APCO International and IBM (NYSE: IBM) made a major technology announcement this week at APCO's Annual Conference & Expo during the Opening General Session. APCO International’s new guide card software called APCO IntelliComm™ will use IBM Watson Speech-to-Text and Watson Analytics to significantly enhance the scripted criteria guidance used by 9-1-1 emergency telecommunicators nationwide. Read the full announcement.

This week, APCO International announced the completion of a seminal report entitled "Broadband Implications for the PSAP." This report is the culmination of an exceptional, association-wide project known as Project 43. It provides a forward-looking analysis of emergency communications, as 9-1-1 centers across the nation transition from decades-old technology to the broadband era and beyond. The report and related materials can be accessed at www.apcop43.org.

Taking place on October 12 in Austin, TX, this one-day event is a great opportunity to learn from top experts about the very latest developments that will impact the future of your role and profession. View the program.

Hollann Treber, Marketing & Communications Manager
Hollann has worked in marketing and communications for over 10 years and has been with APCO since July 2012. She began as a marketing associate and is now the marketing manager, where she is responsible for creating marketing messages and materials for APCO’s programs and events, overseeing the production of PSC magazine and supporting the overall communications strategy for the association. APCO has recognized her hard work with two Project Team awards, the Make a Difference award and a Directors award.

Much of the graphics and design that you see for APCO have Holly's touch, as she often plays the role of in-house designer in addition to her duties as Marketing Manager. In the VA office, she also often plays the role of in-house baker.

She holds a bachelors degree in graphic design and a masters degree in management and marketing from the University of Maryland.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, her boyfriend and their two kitties, Oxford and Olivia. She recently ran her first 5K in support of her niece for Girls On the Run and is training for the next one in November.

Emergency Management FirstNet Chairwoman Sue Swenson lauded the recent progress of FirstNet and said the public safety community will now have the challenge of assimilating an unprecedented amount of data with the development of FirstNet and NG9-1-1 during a talk at the APCO International 83^rd Annual Conference & Expo,Tuesday in Denver.

Las Vegas Now Dial 9-1-1 for emergencies -- only! It's a message police officers want to make sure everyone hears and understands to help keep all of us safe. However, the message doesn't seem to be clear to some people.

Urgent Communications Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval announced his decision to accept the nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN) deployment plan offered by FirstNet and AT&T on behalf of his state, making Nevada the 14^th state to "opt-in" to the FirstNet system.

Jems It has been about three years now since the Limestone County (Ala.) 9-1-1 Board invested in the Smart 9-1-1 software for their system. Smart 9-1-1 allows residents to plan for an emergency by providing dispatchers with critical information before the emergency happens. And just recently, it paid off.

American Security Today The Okaloosa County Department of Public Safety has transitioned from traditional analog technology to a completely IP-based system, allowing Okaloosa County to better manage its 9-1-1 emergency calls and public safety communications, while placing it on an accelerated path to Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1).

City of Huntsville Partners with Southern Linc to Deliver Mission Critical LTE Wireless Data Services