Major federal funding legislation for Next Generation 9-1-1 is pending in Congress. To make sure that we get the amount of funding that is needed, we need your help. Please use our simple portal to let Congressional leaders know that it’s essential to get you the resources you need to protect and save lives every day.

Call for speakers is now open for APCO 2022, taking place August 7-10 in Anaheim, CA. We are looking for one-hour presentations and, as a speaker, you will receive one complimentary full conference registration. 

APCO welcomes submissions in the following topical areas:

• Communications Center Management
• Cutting Edge Developments
• Cybersecurity for Public Safety Communications
• Emergency Preparedness, Response & Situational Awareness
• Frontline Telecommunicator
• FirstNet: Transforming the Future of Emergency Communications
• Wellness in the Emergency Communications Center
• Leadership Development
• NG9-1-1 & Emerging Technologies
• Radio & Wireless Communications Technologies

SUBMIT PROPOSAL

Deadline for submissions is December 17, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Join us for the Virtual Emerging Technology Forum taking place Nov. 2-4 and hear about new technologies during these 30-minute Tech Talks:

• Portable Dispatch Platforms for First Responders
• Public Safety Grade = Vendor, Network, and Application Layer Diversity & Visibility
• Emergency Telecommunicators Need Access to a Community AED Registry
• Creating Life-Saving Connections
• 9-1-1 Data Messaging: Connecting the Dots to Relevant, Actionable Data Resources

Learn more or register today

Registration is $25 for APCO members, $100 for the first 25 Online APCO members or non-members, and $200 for online APCO members and non-members. Corporate/commercial registration is $300. 

The program begins at 11 a.m. ET each day and attending all three days is worth 12 CDEs.

At its monthly open meeting September 30, the FCC reversed rules adopted last year that allowed states to lease spectrum previously dedicated for public safety to non-public safety users, and adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for promoting public safety use of the 4.9 GHz band. The FCC’s decision comes after APCO and others strongly opposed the 2020 rule changes and requested the FCC reverse course. The FCC’s decision also partially lifts the 4.9 GHz filing freeze to allow current license holders to modify their 4.9 GHz band licenses or apply for new permanent fixed site licenses.

The FCC also adopted proposals to prevent robocalls to emergency communications centers and to improve the reliability of communications networks. The proposed reliability rules examine changes to the Wireless Network Resiliency Cooperative Framework – a voluntary agreement among the wireless industry to promote resiliency and situational awareness during disasters – and seek comment on additional measures to reduce disruptions to 9-1-1 caused by commercial power outages.

View the relevant FCC documents.

APCO has filed a Project Initiation (PINS) with ANSI for the creation of an ANSI standard titled Supplemental Emergency Responder Recommendations. 9-1-1 calls traditionally resulting in the dispatch of law, medical or fire response may be replaced or supplemented by alternative responder recommendations. This standard will address how ECCs can incorporate call taking processes currently in place to adapt to the use of alternative responders such as social workers, psychiatrists or other locally designated alternatives for non-violent situations. Read more

The APCO course Fundamentals of Tactical Dispatch explores the key knowledge and skills for tactical dispatch. Instruction includes working together on scenarios that capture real-world experiences. Available in the APCO Virtual Classroom, November 4 - 5 or online October 6 - 26 and November 3 - 23.

Shimon Pike is a telecommunication engineer who works for the Virginia State Police. His main responsibilities include providing development and sustaining engineering support, performing radio frequency engineering, and obtaining and maintaining spectrum authorizations. His most recent project involves the design and upgrade of the Statewide Agencies Radio System (STARS) subscriber radio templates and codeplugs, which include the state police and 21 other state agencies. Read more

Online CDE courses coming up October 6 – 26. 

• Active Shooter Incidents for Public Safety Communications, 2nd Ed.
• Bullying and Negativity in the Communications Center, 2nd Ed.
• Crisis Negotiations for Telecommunicators
• Customer Service in Today's Public Safety Communications
• Disaster Operations in the Communications Center
• Public Safety Communications Staffing and Employee Retention
• Surviving Stress

 View the full training schedule