APCO News

Standards Call to Action

APCO International is seeking public review and comment through August 20 for its first candidate American National Standard (ANS), The Minimum Training Standards for Public Safety Communications Training Officers (CTO).  To review and comment, please visit http://www.apcointl.com/about/911/ansi_activity.php.

Leadership Certificate Program Graduation Ceremony

Please join us in congratulating the graduates of the APCO Institute Leadership Certificate Program. The students that have successfully completed this program will have earned the designation of Registered Public Safety Leader, a formal and prestigious acknowledgement of excellence in our industry. The graduation ceremony will take place at 3:00p.m. on Monday, August 6 in the APCO Pavilion in Baltimore.

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.

From Washington

Visit Your APCO DC Office While in Baltimore

Are you considering combining a little tourism with attending the conference? The Washington Office has prepared a few suggestions to help with your planning.

- If you plan to meet with a member of Congress, please make an appointment! NOTE: It is summer recess for Congress but key staff remains. If you're unable to see a member of Congress, make your appointment with a member of the legislative staff in charge of telecommunications. For tips on member of Congress networking, visit http://www.apcointl.com/government/meetingtips.htm .  We ask that you give special attention to the "Go Local" tip.

- If a meeting takes place and there are issues that need follow-up, please advise Yucel Ors, Director of Legislative Affairs, at orsy@apcomail.org or 202.833.1997.

- Requests for White House Tours must be coordinated through one of your Members of Congress and are accepted up to six months in advance. NOTE: A minimum of 30 days is required. For more information, visit  http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/tours/. 

- For information on United States Capitol tours, visit http://www.aoc.gov/cc/visit/index.cfm.  You may also contact one of your Congressional Representatives in advance to request a tour.

- The office will be open for visitation by members Monday, July 30 thru Friday, August 10. Baltimore is 30 miles from Washington and accessible via rail or car. Penn Station is within walking distance of the Convention Center. We will provide you with directions for rail or car.

Please e-mail or call Betty Nelson with any questions at nelsonb@apcointl.org or 202.833.9779. If you plan to visit the office, try to provide a minimum of 24 hours notice.

APCO Adopts 700 MHz Position

APCO International adopted a "700 MHz Position Summary" that has also been adopted by the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC), of which APCO is a member.  Visit http://www.apcointl.org/news/2007/NPSTCPublicSafety700MHzPositionPaper-07062007.pdf to view the Position Summary.

Conferences and Meetings

Watch APCO TV at the Annual Conference

APCO-TV is the official television news broadcast to be shown throughout the duration of the APCO International 73rd Annual Conference and Exposition, August 5-9 in Baltimore, MD.  APCO-TV is an initiative providing up-to-the-minute news for the Conference, and will include delegate reactions to key issues, interviews with key personalities at the event, as well as pre-recorded documentaries and profiles on key issues and projects for the public safety communications industry.  APCO-TV's daily news broadcasts will be viewed in the exhibition halls and on a dedicated TV channel in APCO partner hotels in Baltimore.  To broaden the reach of APCO-TV, it is supported by the APCO-TV official newsletter and program guide, and a dynamic online presence at www.apcotv.com.

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

The APCO Institute Resource Room will be located in the Convention Center in room
339. There 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.

Chapter Officer Training & Mentoring Course - Seating is Limited!

The Chapter Officer Training and Mentoring Course will be held on Sunday, August 5 between 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.

Calling All Chapter Officers!

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.

Training and Certification

Four Indiana Agencies Implement APCO EMD

APCO Institute announced this week the addition of four Indiana agencies as APCO EMD User Agencies. The agencies are Cass County E9-1-1, Clark County 9-1-1/Central Alarm, Wayne County Emergency Communications Department, and Winchester Police Department.  The APCO Institute EMD Program, based on EMD Guidecards and software, is a systematic way to manage EMS resources in an organized and effective manner and to provide medical assistance to callers, when needed, until medically trained field response units arrive at the scene.  Visit http://www.apcointl.com/institute/emd_program.htm  for more information.

Special Interest Web Seminar - Suicide Bombers - The Future of Domestic Terrorism

APCO will conduct a web seminar titled "Suicide Bombers - The Future of Domestic Terrorism"  on August 22 at 2:00p.m. EST. This session will discuss the issues associated with one of  the biggest threats looming on the horizon for public safety - domestic suicide bombings. Topics will include the telecommunicator's role in responder safety, explosive event  information gathering and resource allocation after detonation. We will also discuss secondary explosions and when first responders become the target.  Visit  http://www.apcointl.com/institute/webinars.htm for more information. 

Law Enforcement Guide Cards Now Available

The APCO Institute is now offering Law Enforcement Dispatch Guidecards. The Law Enforcement Dispatch Guidecards use law enforcement specific information and call handling techniques taught in the APCO Institute's Public Safety Telecommunicator 6th Edition training course and incorporate information provided by subject matter experts in the public safety  communications industry. These new guidecards are available in paper and electronic format  and can be customized to meet the needs of individual agencies.  Visit  http://www.apcointl.com/institute for more information.

Web Seminars

Join the APCO Institute each Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. EST 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. The upcoming  web seminar is "ABCs of EMD" on July 25.

Discount Training Offer Ends July 31

The 2007 Fire Season has started across the country. The National Fire News reports that  there have been 49,857 fires so far this year with over 2,261,484 acres burned to date. The  National Preparedness Level is now at 4 based on a scale of 1-5.  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.

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Attend one of our co-hosted classes!

Public Safety Telecommunicator 1, 6th Edition
Toledo, OH  August 13-17
Oregon, Il   September 10-14

Communications Training Officer
Port St Lucie, FL July 23-25
Baltimore, MD (pre-conference)  August 3-5  

Communications Center Supervisor 
Baltimore. MD (pre-conference) August 3-5
Sebastian, Fl    Sept 10-12

Fire Service Communications 1st Edition
Albuquerque, NM August 14-17