The deadline for APCO CPE Scholarships is fast approaching. If you are interested in advancing your career with APCO's Certified Public-Safety Executive (CPE) program, apply now for a CPE Scholarship to receive tuition assistance. The deadline to apply is February 15.
On April 5, save up to $300 on your APCO 2021 registration! FOR ONE DAY ONLY, APCO offers additional savings on registration for APCO 2021. As a member, you already save $200 on your registration – with Flash Day you can save an additional $100. If you are not currently a member, join on or before April 5 to enjoy the full $300 off. Learn more
Today marks the official kickoff of our National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW) contest “Who is YOUR public safety superhero?” NPSTW is a week where communities across the U.S. recognize those who help save lives in times of personal or national crisis, and this year NPSTW will be celebrated April 11-17, 2021.
Each year the Awards Committee has the honor of recognizing the achievements of APCO members from across the country. These awards recognize the excellent work done each year by public safety telecommunicators.
"We are not in the media 24/7 being praised for working hard to apprehend a suspect in a robbery or for our involvement in assisting a family member in administering CPR. However, these things are a part of our everyday job, and we should take the time to recognize our co-workers, friends and work-family members."
We reached out to women in public safety leadership roles to discuss the challenges they’ve faced and provide advice for future leaders. In the coming months, APCO will highlight these interviews online and in our publications.
Cheryl Konarski, RPL, CPE, Communications Manager, Joplin Emergency Communications Center
Konarski has worked in public safety for more than 34 years. She has been a member of APCO International since 2007 and held several committee and leadership positions within the Association. She has served as Treasurer for Missouri APCO since 2011.
Read more about Konarski's time in public safety communications and her advice for other female leaders.
Public safety agencies use the APCO International Agency Training Program Certification as a formal mechanism to ensure their training programs meet APCO American National Standards (ANS). Initial and continuing training for public safety telecommunicators is important as they provide essential services to the public in an expanding and rapidly changing environment.
Public safety telecommunicator Damon Williams instructed the trooper’s wife as she performed CPR for almost 10 minutes until emergency medical responders arrived at their home. Williams was recognized by the Burleigh County (North Dakota) Sheriff’s Office as a Guardian Angel.
The Belleville (New Jersey) Police Department’s new center allows for social distancing, places glass partitions between telecommunicators and uses air filtration to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
APCO was among the groups representing emergency responders and infrastructure organizations asking the FCC to ensure that the devices don’t interfere with incumbent fixed microwave links.
A recorded greeting, queuing of calls and automatic call-backs to those who have hung up will allow telecommunicators to field emergency calls more efficiently.
Dawn Shumway’s life experience overcoming violence, accidents and suicidal thoughts informs her work fielding calls from people experiencing crises of their own.
Cheryl Konarski, RPL, CPE, Communications Manager, Joplin Emergency Communications Center