APCO News

Standards Call to Action

The Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) has posted the "Emergency Management Standards by EMAP" for public comment.  Stakeholders from the National Emergency Management Association, International Association of Emergency Managers, National Governors Association, The Council of State Governments, International City/County Management Association, National Association of Counties and other public and private sector partners came together to create the Standards, separate and independent of NFPA 1600. These standards are written to serve as a set of standards defining a quality emergency management program to be a tool for strategic planning and improvement efforts. These standards are open for public comment thru July 31, 2007. To comment visit http://www.emaponline.org/?341.

APCO International Job Services

Looking to make your next great hire? Let APCO International help you with your candidate search by advertising your vacancy on the APCO Job Services board or in the APCO magazine -- or both!  Take advantage of the power of tapping the resources of the largest network of public safety communications professionals in the world.  Join the hundreds who advertise where public safety communications professionals look first.  Visit http://www.apcointl.com/services/jobs/ for more information.

Conferences and Meetings

Advanced Registration Ends Next Week for APCO Conference

Don't wait any longer!! Only a few days left to save on your registration for the APCO International 73rd Annual Conference & Exposition in Baltimore, Md. Simply register online at www.apco2007.org before Friday, July 13.

TA at APCO Conference

The TA will be offering educational sessions on "Preparing for Implementation" at the  APCO Conference in Baltimore, MD at the Baltimore.  Sessions will outline steps necessary to prepare for the implementation phase of your reconfiguration as well as general guidance into the rebanding process.  Sessions will be held Monday, August 6 between 2:45p.m. and 4:00p.m. and Tuesday, August 7 between 1:00p.m. and 2:15p.m. in the convention center room 344.  RSVP by July 27 by emailing elaine.ayensu@bearingpoint.com.

Chapter Officer Training & Mentoring Course

The Chapter Officer Training and Mentoring Course will be held on Sunday, August 5between 9:00a.m. and noon in Baltimore at the Convention Center in room 304. This three-hour course is free to members. It provides an overview to the association's workings and is a benefit to any member seeking a leadership position within their chapter or committee participation. Login and pre-register at http://www.apconetforum.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?WebCode=LoginRequired&Site=APCOWeb and select upcoming events.

New Attendee Orientation

Is this your first annual conference or the first in a long time? Come to this session and we'll help you plan your week in Baltimore.  First time attendees in this session will be entered in a drawing to win an APCO Store gift certificate. Afterward, attendees will be escorted to the First General Business session where they will have preferred seating. The New Attendee Orientation will be held Sunday, August 5 at 4:00p.m. in Baltimore at the Convention Center in rooms 316-317.

Pavilion Schedule

We've created an environment with social networking in mind. Meet & Greet sessions are intended to get like minded individuals together based on their chapter locale and interests for the purpose of networking and sharing of information, ideas and a little fun!

Monday, Aug 6
9:45a.m. Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting
10:00a.m. Fun & Games
10:30a.m. SmartBoard Presentation
11:00a.m. Institute Staff & Online Alumni Meet & Greet
11:30a.m. Western Region Meet & Greet
12:00p.m. Chapter Officers Meet & Greet
12:30p.m. East Coast Region Meet & Greet
2:00p.m. COTM Alumni and Interested Members
3:00p.m. RPL Graduation Ceremony

Tuesday, Aug 7
9:30a.m. Exhibit Hall Opens
10:00a.m. Gulf Coast Region Meet & Greet
10:30a.m. No Central Region Meet & Greet
11:30a.m. SmartBoard Presentation
12:00p.m. 9-1-1 for Kids press conference

Wednesday, Aug 8
9:30a.m. Exhibit Hall Opens
10:30a.m. Wanda's Fancy Feet Contest
11:00a.m. Closing event
1:00p.m. Exhibit Hall Closed 

Chapter Officer's Workshop

The Chapter Officer's Workshop will be held on Thursday, August 9 between 9:30a.m. and 12:15p.m. in Baltimore in the Convention Center in room 331.  This interactive workshop is focused on chapter activities and how the Membership Team at HQ can support the local activities.  We're going to have a special break-out session dedicated to Chapter Conference Best Practices. Chapter officers should login and pre-register at http://www.apconetforum.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?WebCode=LoginRequired&Site=APCOWeb and select upcoming events.

Historic Room - Rm. 336

"The Once Upon a Time..." room is where you'll see APCO history unfold before your eyes.  Radio equipment, documents, books, conference pins, publications, coffee mugs, and much more will be on display.  Each year the room gets bigger and better.  Items you've seen before may not be in the room this year as the room content changes from year to year.  Come see what APCO history is all about.

Earn a Free Day at Conference - Become a VOLUNTEER!!

Volunteers will receive a day pass for each day of service. Service must be a minimum of four hours each day.  Breakfast and lunch will be provided for the volunteers.  Volunteers receive a Volunteer Shirt.  To Download a Volunteer Application please visit www.apco2007.org . If you have any question about Volunteers please contact the 2007 Baltimore Conference Committee Volunteer Chair John Crabill at john.crabill@montgomerycountymd.gov or (240) 773-7036.

APCO Institute Resource Room - Rm. 339

At the APCO Institute Resource Room in Baltimore you will be able meet the APCO Institute staff and learn about the training, products and services we have to offer. You will also have the opportunity to preview our current course materials and view live demonstrations of the APCO Multi-Purpose Dispatch Software (MEDS) and the Expectations: Evaluations Software. Learn how you can earn your professional designation as a Registered Public Safety Leader (RPL). Stop by and meet some of the graduating students and gather information on this exciting program.

APCO Comm Center & 9-1-1 Services Resource Room - Rm. 337-338

Stop by the APCO Comm Center & 9-1-1 Services Resource Room in Baltimore to see what challenges lay on the horizon for public safety communications and how APCO International is poised to address those issues both now and in the future. Informational topics include Comm Center standards and effective practices, staffing and employee retention, and Next Generation 9-1-1 issues such as VoIP and other emerging technologies.

Training and Certification

Fire Season is Here - Discount Training Offer from the Institute

The 2007 Fire Season has started across the country. The National Fire News reports that there have been 43,546 fires so far this year with over 1,642,730 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 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 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!  Visit www.grantwritingusa.com to register.

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.  Visit http://www.apcointl.com/institute/ for more information.

The Telecommunicator's Role in Homeland Security

An article titled Homeland Security Training for Dispatchers was published in the May issue of 9-1-1 Magazine. In it the author Mike Scott mentions the APCO Institute's Telecommunicator's Role in Homeland Security Course and the critical role dispatchers play in recognizing terrorist incidents and how this course will assist the telecommunicator in determining that a possible terrorist event has occurred and the appropriate response. This eight-hour course is available for your agency as co-hosted class or as a contract class. Please contact schatelk@apco911.org for details or visit our website at http://www.apcointl.com/institute/training.htm.

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Click here for info on PSFA.

Click here for Project LOCATE information.

Click here for frequency coordination information.

Click here to visit the APCO Store.

Click here for rebanding information.

Attend one of our co-hosted classes!

Public Safety Telecommunicator 1, 6th Edition
Toledo, OH  August 13-17

Communications Training Officer
Port St. Lucie, FL  July 23-25

Communications Center Supervisor 
Baltimore. MD (pre-conference) August 3-5

Fire Service Communications 1st Edition
Baltimore, MD (pre-conference) August 2-5

Telecommuicator's Role In Homeland Security    
Baltimore, MD (pre-conference) August  5