APCO’s first-ever Envision training event took place this week in Austin, Texas. During the intensive day-long event, attendees learned important information on cybersecurity, Next Generation 9-1-1, mobile apps and the big-picture challenges facing PSAPs with changes in technology. The goal was to provide education that will help attendees train their people, conduct operations and manage new technologies. Here’s what one attendee had to say:

Thank you to SecuLore for sponsoring the event and contributing cybersecurity expertise. APCO will repeat the Envision program in Nashville on February 15. Register now

There is still time to respond to APCO’s Call for Speakers to help further the discussion on a number of timely issues at this year's Public Safety Broadband Summit. The deadline for presentation proposals is Friday, February 9, 2018!

Below is a non-exhaustive list of suggested topics that presenters may wish to consider:

• Next Generation 9-1-1
• FirstNet
• Cybersecurity
• LTE, 5G, and Infrastructure Technologies
• Devices and the Internet of Public Safety Things
• Smart City and Intelligent Highway Technology
• Mobile Apps
• Data Analytics and Cloud Computing
• Broadband Implications for PSAP Training and Workforce
• Social Media
• Next Generation Alerting
• Wireless 9-1-1 Location Accuracy

Submit your proposal

Kathy Lawrence, Resource Coordinator, Communications Center and 9-1-1 Services
Kathy Lawrence joined APCO in November of 2002 working in the Membership Department. In May 2003, she became a Membership Associate and has worn many hats through the years including that of a sales representative. She is currently the Resource Coordinator in the Communications Center and 9-1-1 Services Department (CC9S). Kathy provides administrative assistance to the Agency Training Program Certification, Standards Development and Cybersecurity Committees.

Kathy feels very fortunate to have played a role in the release of APCO’s Agency Training Program Certification to help the public safety community become stronger through training certifications and standards.

American City and County Among the upgrades on tap are Atlanta with fiber-optic-enabled improvements and Philadelphia where Airbus DS Communications’ new VESTA 9-1-1 Call Handling solution has been announced.

Urgent Communications The former chief technology officer for Washington, D.C., surveys the future of public safety communications now that all 50 states have opted into FirstNet.

Pasadena News Now Text-to-911 is part of the countywide rollout in Los Angles County. Pasadena police dispatch reports 118 texts to 9-1-1 since June.

Officer.com Technology has led to 9-1-1 efficiencies, but telecommunicators have five similar complaints about it.

Help improve emergency communications by taking the SAFECOM Nationwide Survey. SAFECOM and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Emergency Communications released the survey, which will provide valuable insights on the current state of the nation’s emergency communications. Survey end date is February 23, 2018.

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