APCO News
APCO President to Testify on 700MHz Auction
APCO President Wanda McCarley is expected to testify at the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on the 700 MHz Auction: Public Safety and Competition on Thursday, June 14, 2007 at 10:00 AM. This hearing will examine a variety of issues related to the auction of spectrum at the 700 MHz band.
http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Hearing&Hearing_ID=1874
Standards Call to Action
As an on-going part of APCO International's Standards Development activities we will be announcing when other standards development organizations have proposed standards that may affect public safety communications. As these standards are proposed, notice will be posted in the APCO eBulletin and on the APCO International website to give our members an opportunity to provide input on these proposals which ensures that public safety communications has a voice in the development of standards that
affect our industry.
ANSI Announces Comment Period on HITSP RDSS: Emergency Responder Electronic Health Record (ER-HER) Use Case
The ANSI Healthcare Information Technology Standards Panel (HITSP) (http://www.ansi.org/standards_activities/standards_boards_panels/hisb/hitsp.aspx?menuid=3
) , a multi-stakeholder group facilitating the development of interoperable healthcare data standards, has announced a four week comment period for two documents. The documents define the requirements and design for the interoperability specifications and standards relating to emergency responder electronic health records as well as security and privacy capabilities beginning with the dispatch of on-site care providers to the scene of an emergency incident and follows the patient through
initial treatment, the evacuation process to emergency medical treatment facilities, and ends when the emergency care information is passed to the electronic health record. The following documents are available via the HITSP website (www.ansi.org/hitsp) for public review and comment through June 14, 2007:
- HITSP Requirements Design and Standards Selection: Security and Privacy Capabilities for the Version 2.0 Biosurveillance, EHR-Lab and Consumer Empowerment Use Cases
- HITSP Requirements Design and Standards Selection: Emergency Responder Electronic Health Record (ER-EHR) Use Case (to download the document directly, go to: http://www.apcointl.org/ebulletin/RDSSEmergencyResponderEHR.pdf )
For more information regarding APCO International's standards development activities, contact the Comm Center & 9-1-1 Services Department at 911services@apco911.org
APCO Announces 2007 PSAP Award Winners
The awards will be presented at the Opening General Session of the APCO International 73rd Annual Conference and Exposition in Baltimore, Md. on August 5. The winners are:
- Telecommunicator of the Year - Colleen Townsend, dispatcher, Genesee County (MI) Central Dispatch
- Information Technologist of the Year - Linwood W. "Bill" Hobgood, Jr., systems development leader, Public Safety Team, City of Richmond, VA Department of Information Technology
- Radio Frequency Technologist of the Year - Bruce Dennis, wireless system engineer, City and County of Denver (CO), Technology Services/Electronic Engineering Bureau
- Line Supervisor of the Year - Christina Giacomelli, dispatch supervisor, Alameda County Regional Emergency Communications Center
- Communications Center Director of the Year - Charles M. "Chuck" Berdan, dispatch manager, Alameda County Regional Emergency Communications Center
APCO Donates Annual Dinner Proceeds to Sunshine Fund
APCO International donated $10,000, 13 percent of the profits from its 3rd Annual Public Safety Communications Leadership in Policy Awards Dinner, to its Sunshine Fund, a fund set aside to assist public safety telecommunications professionals experiencing personal hardship.
From Washington
FCC Seeking Comment on Proposed E911 Rules
The Federal Communications Commission has adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) seeking comment on tentative conclusions and issues related to Enhanced 911 (E911) location accuracy and reliability requirements for wireless carriers and providers of interconnected voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services. The NPRM seeks to ensure that E911 service meets the needs of public safety and the American people. The NPRM also takes into consideration the evolution in the use of wireless
devices and the further development of location technologies.
The primary objective is to advance policies, rules and initiatives that support the efficient and reliable transmission of meaningful automatic location information for wireless cell phone users and users of interconnected VoIP service to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) to better ensure rapid emergency response and save lives.
The Commission tentatively concluded that, as proposed by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials-International, Inc. (APCO), wireless carriers would be required to meet Phase II location accuracy and reliability standards under Section 20.18(h) at the service area level of PSAPs. The Commission also seeks comment on whether to defer enforcement of Section 20.18(h) to allow time for wireless carriers to come into compliance with this standard, as well as the other questions
regarding enforcing any rule that may be adopted on the geographic area for compliance. http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-108A1.pdf
NTIA Holds Public Meeting About Interoperability Grants
On June 4, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) held a public meeting regarding the Public Safety Interoperable Communications Grant Program, a $1 billion program to provide state, local and federal first responders with funds to improve interoperable communications. The program will assist public safety agencies in the acquisition of, deployment of, or training for the use of interoperable communications systems that can utilize reallocated public safety
spectrum in the 700 MHz band for radio communication. For more information about the meeting or to download a webcast of the event please go to http://www.ntia.doc.gov/psic/webcast.html.
FCC Spectrum Summit Online
On June 1, the FCC held a Spectrum Summit: Spectrum Policy and Management: Building Public Safety Communications. The Summit included expert panels composed of representatives from the public safety community, government and the communications industry. The panelists discussed issues related to the creation, implementation and management of public safety spectrum, as well as the benefits of enhancing public/private partnerships to support a nationwide interoperable public safety communications
network. To view a webcast of the meeting go to http://www.fcc.gov/realaudio/#jun1.
COPS Technology Grants Announced
Approximately $160 million is available in FY 2007 for competitive, discretionary grants under the COPS Technology Program. The program provides funding to local and state law enforcement agencies for the procurement of technology that enhances public safety voice interoperability and the ability to share information with regional, state and federal partners. Funding will focus on projects aimed at facilitating the sharing of information across multiple jurisdictions within a region, with the
ultimate objective of increasing public safety. The 2007 COPS Technology Program is a targeted grant program. Invited applicants include all states and U.S. territories, 254 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) that have populations of 150,000 or greater, and an additional 20 selected MSAs with a population of less than 150,000 (to ensure sufficient representation from within each state).
http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/Default.asp?Item=240#TECH
Conferences and Meetings
The APCO Annual Conference and Expo website has everything you need to know about this year's conference in Baltimore. You may have received a brochure that listed an FCC Panel this year. The panel will be held on Wednesday, August 8th from 1:15pm to 2:30pm for more on this panel discussion go to: http://www.apco2007.org/regulatory_and_legislative_issues.cfm
Region 18 (LA) 700 MHz Public Safety Planning Committee Announces Next Meeting
The Region 18 (Louisiana) 700 MHz Public Safety Planning Committee announces that its next meeting will be held on July 25 at 9:00 a.m. at the Atrium Hotel and Conference Centre, 2001 Louisville Avenue in Monroe, Louisiana. All interested parties wishing to participate in the planning for the use of public safety spectrum in the 700 MHz band within Region 18 are encouraged to attend. For further information, please contact William R. Vincent at 337.291.5060 or eoc@lafayettegov.net.
Region 14 (IN) 700 MHz Public Safety Planning Meeting
A meeting of the Region 14 700 MHz Public Safety Planning Committee will be held on June 27 at 1:00 p.m. (EST) at the Purdue University Police Department, Terry House Conference Room, 205 South Intramural Drive, West Lafayette, Indiana. There will be a conference call ongoing at the meeting for those who cannot be physically present. The telephone number is (765) 496-6523. Those having trouble connecting to the conference bridge may call the Purdue University Operator at (765)
494-4600. The purpose of the meeting is to work on and discuss the draft of the Region Plan. For further information, please contact Alex R. Whitaker at 317-899-8529 or awhitaker@isp.in.gov.
2007 Atlantic Chapter Conference Supersession Speaker
The Atlantic Chapter announces world renowned forensic expert Dr. Henry Lee will be presenting one of its "Supersessions" at the 2007 Atlantic Chapter Conference and Business Meeting being held at the Mystic Marriott in Mystic, Conn. October 29-31. Visit www.apco-atlantic.org for more information.
Wyoming Chapter Announces Annual Conference
The Wyoming Chapter Annual Conference will be held November 13 and 14 at the Holiday Inn in Casper, Wyoming. Contact Bill Gordon at tpdadmin@hscounty.com for more information.
Washington Chapter Annual Summer Training Conference
The Washington Chapter of APCO will be holding the Annual Summer Training Conference in Wenatchee, WA, June 27- 29! Registration forms are available on the Washington Chapter website at www.apcowa.org! Conference questions can be emailed to sfritts@co.pacific.wa.us or call (360) 875-9340!
Alaska Symposium for Emergency Communications
Proposals for quality presentations are now being accepted for the 2007 Alaska Symposium for Emergency Communications held by Alaska NENA / APCO being held at the Hawthorn Suites in Anchorage, Alaska, October 22-24. All proposals must be submitted by June 1. For more information email gina.wheeler@ctsc.net or call 907-569-5672.
2007 North Carolina NENA/APCO Annual Conference
The 2007 North Carolina NENA/APCO Annual Conference will be held September 9-12 in Sunset Beach, NC. For more information visit http://www.ncapco.org/annual.htm.
Missouri APCO Chapter Conference
The Missouri APCO Chapter Conference will be held September 16-19 at the Capitol Plaza in Jefferson City, MO. They are currently accepting presentation proposals for the conference. Visit http://www.moapco.org/ for more information.
Training and Certification
All-Hazard COML Train-the-Trainer Classes Offered
SEARCH, The National Consortium for Justice Information and Statistics, in cooperation with the U.S. DHS Office for Interoperability and Compatibility (OIC) and the NIMS Integration Center, is hosting two All-Hazard COML Train-the-Trainer classes. The first class is for the West coast June 26-28, location TBD and the second class is for the East coast July 10-12, location TBD. Visit www.search.org/programs/safety/2007coml/
for more information.
Sign up for COTM in Baltimore
The Chapter Officer Training & Mentoring Course will be presented on August 5 in conjunction with the annual conference in Baltimore. Participate in this course from 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m. free of charge to members. Register at www.apconetforum.org using your email and member number (password) to login and then click on upcoming events.
Fire Season is Here - Institute Training Discounts
The National Fire News has reported that there are 17 large active fires in five states with over 864,000 acres burned to date. The APCO Institute recognizes the need for quality fire communications training and will be offering our Fire Service Communications student manuals for $49 each beginning on June 1 and ending July 31. Tuition will be discounted to $379 for anyone wishing to enroll in the Fire Service Communications Online Instructor course beginning July 18. Visit our website at http://www.apcointl.com/institute/index.htm for registration information and order forms.
New Institute Training Schedule
APCO Institute will be introducing a regional training program in the fall of 2007. All of the Institute's certification courses will be offered in select locations throughout the country, thus allowing agencies to plan in advance for their training needs. If your agency would like to participate and has a facility that will accommodate large groups and will be available for a minimum of three weeks, please email schatelk@apco911.org.
Receive High Quality Grant Writing Training at a Discount
Grant Writing USA provides the most highly sought after grants training in America and now, through a partnership with APCO Institute, APCO members can receive a $25 discount upon entering "APCO" when registering for any Grant Writing USA course! For more information on courses in your area, visit www.grantwritingusa.com.
Web Seminars
Join the APCO Institute each Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. for quality training and fun interaction with your peers. Each web seminar is one hour long and qualifies for one continuing dispatch education (CDE) credit. For more information or to register, log onto the APCO Institute website at http://www.apcointl.com/institute/webinars.htm. Upcoming titles include:
Instructor Techniques - June 13
Special Interest Web Seminar - Active Shooter Incidents and the Telecommunicator
APCO will conduct a web seminar titled Active Shooter Incidents and the Telecommunicator on July 11 at 2:00p.m. This session will look at these types of events from the public safety communications point of view including what an active shooter incident is and the specific concerns and issues associated with response to such high-profile fluid situations. Also covered in this session will be specific calltaker and dispatcher actions that agencies can incorporate into their policies and
procedures for handling these types of calls.
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Share Your Expertise
Thanks to those of you who have already shared your thoughts in the APCO Exchange. You can see answers to previous questions at http://www.apcointl.com/
theexchange/index.cgi?read=5956
This week an APCO Member asks: "Does anyone have a procedure/protocol for handling Phase II wireless calls? Specifically hang-ups, misdials, open lines, etc?"
Give your answer in the APCO Exchange at http://www.apcointl.com/
theexchange/index.cgi?read=5978
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Attend one of our co-hosted classes!
Public Safety Telecommunicator 1, 6th Edition
Benton Harbor, MI June 11-15
Communications Training Officer
Lubbock, TX June 11-13
Communications Center Supervisor
Libertyville, IL June 13-15
Fire Service Communications 1st Edition
Peterborough, Ontario June 4-7
Telecommunicator's Role in Homeland Security
Baltimore, MD (Pre-Conference) August 5
Training at Your Desktop
Public Safety Telecommunicator 1, 6th Edition
Starts June 6
Communications Training Officer - Instructor
Starts July 18
Communications Training Officer
Starts June 6
Communications Center Supervisor
Starts July 11
EMD Concepts
Starts June 27
EMD Instructor
Starts June 6
Fire Service Communications, 1st Edition
June 27
Fire Service Communications - Instructor, 1st Edition
Starts June 13
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