What were you doing on February 16, 1968? In Haleyville, Alabama, State Speaker of the House Rankin Fite was placing the first 9-1-1 call. Fifty years ago, it would have been hard to foresee all the changes coming next: nationwide acceptance of 9-1-1 as a universal number; automatic number identification (ANI) and automatic location identification (ALI); significant changes in the way people communicate that will continue to push the need for technological improvements into the future. Learn more about key events in the evolution of 9-1-1 at 911saveslives.org/#timeline.

Changes to technology, of course, means change for public safety telecommunicator (PSTs):

"In 1983, we kept track of our officers with a paper log and hand-written cards to record calls for service, stamping times with a time clock. Kur-chunk. We had one boom mic to transmit to officers and a paging system for sending fire and ambulance. We had a switch under the console to set off the fire siren."

Share how your job has changed at 911saveslives.org/how-have-things-changed.

With only a few hours left until the deadline, now is the time to submit your application for a scholarship for APCO’s Certified Public-Safety Executive (CPE) Program. Whether you have not yet begun an application, or have only partially completed an application, you don’t have much time to click the "submit" button to be considered for a CPE scholarship. The deadline for submission is midnight ET tonight. For more information

APCO is currently seeking volunteers to assist with the revision of APCO ANS 1.103.3-201x Wireless 9-1-1 Deployment & Management Effective Practices. The work of this group will ensure that the standard continues to provide PSAP managers with a better understanding of the wireless 9-1-1 technology application and the ability to better manage wireless calls as well as first responder expectations. View our current Wireless Deployment and Management Effective Practices standard.

All interested persons should complete the online application and indicate their preference for this writing group at Wireless 9-1-1 Deployment & Management Effective Practices.

The application deadline has been extended to February 28, 2018.

Tricia Rampata, Human Resources Associate
Tricia Rampata joined APCO's Technology & Support Operations team in 2017 as the Human Relations Associate. Tricia administers the APCO employee health, welfare and retirement plans company-wide, acts as a liaison between employees and insurance providers and resolves benefit related problems, ensuring effective utilization of plans and positive employee relations.

Tricia brings to APCO International over 12 years of experience in human resource management and holds both PHR and SHRM-CP certifications. She received a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from Villanova University.

Penobscot Bay Pilot A Maine county is recognizing the 50-year anniversary of the nation’s premier emergency communications tool.

KLKN-TV Since police have to take prank calls seriously so they ask the public to educate their children not to make false reports to emergency dispatch.

The Washington Post The newspaper calls for funding NG9-1-1 through President Trump’s proposal to upgrade the nation’s infrastructure.

RadioResource The Federal Communications Commission reports that New Jersey, West Virginia, Illinois, New Mexico, Rhode Island and New York diverted $129 million in 9-1-1 fees away from 9-1-1 purposes in 2016.