APCO News

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Buyer's Guide Entries Now Due - LAST CHANCE!

Ensure you get listed in the 2008 Buyer's Guide (scheduled for print publication in the October issue of APCO's Public Safety Communications and online posting in October 2007), and submit your form by this Friday, August 24! Download and complete the form at http://www.apcointl.com/buyersguide/documents/PSCBG08.pdf. Fax it back to 619.699.6722 or 619.699.6246.

Roll Out of AFC License Management

AFC has introduced a new service to help public safety agencies manage their licenses.  The service is comprised of three phases.  Phase one is preliminary call sign research where all call signs licensed to an agency are captured in one spread sheet.  The second phase is initial call sign review during which the call signs are reviewed to ensure that they are in good standing.  The third phase will be on-going monitoring of the license where the licensee will be notified of any pending filing with the FCC.  More information on this service is available at http://www.apcointl.com/frequency/licmgmt.html.

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

APCO Files Comments on Wireless Accuracy

On August 20, APCO filed comments in response to Section III.B of the FCC's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 07-108 on wireless E9-1-1 location accuracy requirements encouraging the FCC to "clarify that PSAP service areas are the relevant area of compliance."  Visit http://www.apcointl.com/new/documents/APCO-comments-NPRM-Part-III-B.pdf to view the filing.

Public Safety Narrowband Operations Outside the 700 MHz Consolidated Narrowband Blocks Prohibited

The FCC prohibited authorization, whether pursuant to individual license or State License, of any new narrowband operations in the 764-767/794-797 MHz and 775-776/805-806 MHz bands as of 30 days following the adoption of the Second Report and Order, which will be August 30.  Visit http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-07-3644A1.pdf%20%3Chttp:/hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-07-3644A1.pdf for more information.

PSIC Amendment Notice of Availability of Funds

On August 3, the President signed into law the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Pub. L. No. 110-53). Based on the changes included in this law, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has issued modified grant guidance to the Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grant Program to take effect immediately. NTIA also extended the deadline for each State and Territory to submit its Statewide Communications Interoperability Plans and Investment Justification under the PSIC Grant Program from November 1 to December 3.  Visit http://www.ntia.doc.gov/psic/modifications_081607.html for more information.

FCC Revises 700 MHz Rules

In a Second Report & Order the FCC revised the 700 MHz band plan and service rules to promote the creation of a nationwide interoperable broadband network for public safety and to facilitate the availability of new and innovative wireless broadband services for consumers.  Visit http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-132A1.pdf for more information.  Visit http://www.apcointl.com/new/news/700-order.php to view APCO International's response.

Conferences and Meetings

APCO International Accepting Session Proposals for 2008 Annual Conference

The Call for Papers is now open for the 74th Annual Conference & Exposition, to be held August 3-7, 2008 in Kansas City, Missouri. Submissions will only be accepted online at http://www.apco2008.org/abstract_submission.cfm.  For a complete list of submission requirements and evaluation criteria, please refer to http://www.apco2008.org/abstract_submission.cfm .  The submission deadline is October 1.  If you have further questions, please call APCO International, 386.322.2500 or 888.APCO.9-1-1.

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.

Region 18 (Louisiana) 700 MHz Public Safety Planning Committee Announces its Next Meetings

The Region 18 (Louisiana) 700 MHz Public Safety Planning Committee announces its next three meetings.  The meetings are scheduled as follows: September 19 at 10:00 a.m. at the Kenner Police Department in the Auditorium, 500 Veterans Drive, Kenner, Louisiana; October 24 at 9:00 a.m. at The Carter Plantation, 23475 Carter Trace, Springfield, Louisiana, and; November 14 at 10:00 a.m. at the at the State Claiborne Bldg, 1-155 North Dakota Room, 1201 N 3rd Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  The purpose of these meetings will be to review, discuss, and approve the latest draft of the 700 MHz Region 18 plan.  For more information contact William R. Vincent, Sr. at 337.291.5060 or eoc@lafayettegov.net.

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.

Nebraska APCO and NENA 2007 Fall Conference

The Nebraska Chapters of APCO and NENA are holding a joint conference and expo October 2-3 in Lincoln, Nebraska at the Holiday Inn Downtown. Visit http://its.ne.gov/network_serv/wireless/wireless.html for more information.

Alaska Symposium for Emergency Communications

The 2007 Alaska Symposium for Emergency Communications hosted by Alaska NENA / APCO will be held at the Hawthorn Suites in Anchorage, Alaska, October 22-24.  For more information email gina.wheeler@ctsc.net or call 907-569-5672.

2007 Atlantic Chapter Conference Announces 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 13-14 at the Holiday Inn in Casper, Wyoming.  Contact Bill Gordon at tpdadmin@hscounty.com for more information.

Training and Certification

Share Your Knowledge by Way of a Web Seminar

Do you have a subject or training topic that is of special interest and that you would like to share? The APCO Institute is seeking new areas of interest to present for our Web Seminar Series each Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. All presenters are compensated for their time by the APCO Institute. If interested, please contact schatelk@apco911.org for details.

Earn Your RPL

The APCO Institute Leadership Certificate Program is a comprehensive 12-month online program leading to the professional designation of Registered Public-Safety Leader (RPL).  For more information on the APCO Institute Leadership Certificate Program, please visit www.apcoinstitute.org.

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 titles include:

Motivating Employees - August 29
Forging a Bond by Communicating Kindly - AKA - Play Nice! - September 5

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.

North Central Region Training Schedule

Wausau, WI - September 17-19 - CTO
Bolingbrook,IL - October 8-11 - Fire Service Comm.
Bolingbrook, IL - October 15-17 - CCSC
Bolingbrook IL - October 22-24 - CTO
Bolingbrook, IL - October 25 - Homeland Security
Papillion, NE - November 6-8 - CTO
Westerville, OH - December 3-5 - CTO
Deerfield, IL - March 7, 2008 - Homeland Security

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
Bedford, PA   September 17-21
Carthage NC  October 15-19

Communications Training Officer Instructor
Sugar Land, TX  November 5-9

Communications Training Officer
Wausau, WI  September 17-19
Salina, KS  September 17-19
  
Communications Center Supervisor 
Sebastian, Fl      Sept 10-12
Bolingbrook, IL  October 15-17
Papillion, NE  November 6-8 

Fire Service Communications 1st Edition
Bolingbrook, IL      October 8-11 

Telecommuicator's Role In Homeland Security    
Bolingbrook, IL  October 22-24

Emergency Medical Dispatch Instructor
Bedford, VA  November 12-16