From Washington

APCO Applauds FCC for Positive Public Safety Actions

Yesterday, the Federal Communications Commission ruled in favor of regulatory language recommended by APCO International, stating that the accuracy of caller location information provided by way of wireless 9-1-1 calls be measured at the PSAP level. This positive action will dramatically impact 9-1-1 call-takers' ability to locate and send appropriate resources to callers using wireless phones.   The FCC also took important steps to expedite the completion of the 800 MHz rebanding process that is designed to prevent dangerous interference to public safety radio communications.  Visit http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-276577A1.pdf for more information on the clarification of the geographic area over which wireless carriers must meet E9-1-1 location accuracy requirements. Visit http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-276578A1.pdf for more information on the new benchmarks and procedures to expedite the completion of the 800 MHz rebanding process.

Draft National Response Framework Released for Public Comment

The DHS released the draft National Response Framework (NRF), successor to the National Response Plan, for a 30-day public comment period. These documents are available at the newly-created NRF Resource Center, which is available at www.fema.gov/nrf. Individuals who wish to submit comments can obtain a comment form and instructions for submission online at www.fema.gov/nrf.

APCO News

APCO MAAP Expanding Roster

APCO Internationals Member Assistance Advisory Program (MAAP) is expanding its roster of volunteer Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) used to perform its MAAP Agency Reviews. MAAP has a wide-ranging yet simple goal: To provide public safety communications managers and their executive leadership with advice on the issues surrounding effective and efficient operations every day. Individuals interested in serving as a MAAP volunteer SME are encouraged to complete the online application located on the Comm Center and 9-1-1 Services webpage at http://www.apcointl.org/about/911/.  For more information on APCO Internationals Member Assistance Advisory Program contact the Comm Center & 9-1-1 Services Department at 911services@apco911.org.

AFC License Management

APCO-AFC announces its new License Management Service (LMS).  Many public safety agencies lack the full time expertise to properly maintain their FCC license to operate a radio system.  Your agency's FCC License is THE legal document authorizing radio system operation. Every public safety agency that operates a radio system is required to obtain and maintain an FCC license authorization.  APCO-AFC can assist you with managing your licenses to avoid the financial burden of losing a license due to oversights.  LMS participation provides discounts for other AFC services including license preparation, frequency coordination, and various RF engineering services that may be required to correct your call sign.  For more information, please visit "Managing Your License" at www.apcointl.org/frequency/licmgmt.html.

Conferences and Meetings

APCO Accepting Session Proposals for 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.

MOAPCO MULES/CJIS 2007 Conference

The Missouri Chapter is partnering with the Missouri criminal information system (MULES/CJIS) in presenting the MOAPCO MULES/CJIS 2007 Conference, September 16-19 in Jefferson City, Missouri.  Responsive to the needs of any discipline that utilizes MULES/CJIS, the conference is the largest emergency communication conference in the state. For further information go to http://www.moapco.org/.

Region 18 (LA) 700 MHz Public Safety Planning Committee Meeting

The next meeting of the Region 18 700 MHz Planning Committee is September 19 at Kenner Police Department, 500 Veterans Drive, Kenner, Louisiana in the Auditorium, beginning at 10:00 a.m. t=The latest draft of the Plan is now available for viewing and downloading at http://www.siec.la.gov/.  For more information contact William R. Vincent, Sr. at 337.291.5060 or eoc@lafayettegov.net.

Utah Chapter 4th Annual Conference and Vendor Show

The Utah Chapter Conference and Vendor Show will be held October 2-4 at The Karen Gail Miller Convention Center in Sandy, Utah.  Register by September 7 for Early Bird Pricing. Nominations for Utah APCO Hall of Fame are due by September 4.  For more information, contact Tracy Houston at 801.743.7000 or thouston@slco.org.

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.

Colorado APCO Chapter Conference

The Colorado APCO Chapter Conference will be held October 10-12 in Longmont, Colorado. For information and registration forms, visit http://www.apco-co.org/.

Mid-Eastern Chapter Fall Training Conference

The Mid-Eastern Chapter of APCO will hold its Annual Fall Training Conference and Exposition October 11-13 at the Atlantic Sands Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, DE. For information on this exciting event visit us at http://www.mideasternapco.com/.

New Mexico APCO/NENA Fall Conference

The New Mexico APCO/NENA Fall Conference will be held in Albuquerque, NM October 15-17.  Visit http://www.nmpsta.org/ for more information.

Illinois Chapter 23rd Annual 9-1-1 Conference

The Illinois Chapters of APCO and NENA in cooperation with the Illinois Commerce Commission will hold their 23rd Annual 9-1-1 Conference October 21- 24 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield, IL. For information on this exciting event visit us at http://www.911conference.org/.

2007 Alaska Symposium for Emergency Communications

The first ever Alaska Symposium for Emergency Communications (ASEC) brought to you by the Alaska Chapters of NENA, APCO and NLECTC-NW will be held October 22-24.  Visit http://www.alaskaapco.org/ for more information.

West Virginia Chapter Conference

The West Virginia Chapter is meeting for training and a vendor show October 22-26 at the Canaan Resort and Conference Center.  Please contact Connie Thomaschek at 304-623-6559 cthomaschek@harrco911.org for registration and more information.

Region 14 (IN) 700 MHz Region Planning Committee Meetings

The Region 14 (Indiana) 700 MHz Region Planning Committee will hold meetings on October 24 at 1:00 p.m. (EST) in the training room of the Greensburg Police Department, 201 South Broadway, Greensburg, IN 47240, and on December 12 at 1:00 p.m. (EST) at the Indiana State Police Communications Division Training Room, 8500 East 21st Street, Indianapolis, IN.  Visit http://region14rpc.googlepages.com/ for more information.

2007 Atlantic Chapter Conference

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 http://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.

Montana Chapter Conference

The Montana Chapter of APCO is holding its 2007 conference on November 15 and 16 in Great Falls, Montana at the Best Western Heritage Inn. For more information, including attendee and vendor registration forms, visit http://www.mtapco.org/. For more information contact Kimberly Burdick at kburdick@mtapco.org or President Susan Bomstad at sbomstad@mtapco.org.

Training and Certification

Continuing Education Discount

We recognize the need for continuing education and will be offering a significant discount on select titles from our "Training in a Box" series every month starting September 1. The titles will be packaged to meet specific training needs for EMD, supervisors, call handling techniques, liability issues and HAZMAT and fire calls. The cost for each package will range from $99 for the three-title package and up to $125 for the five-title package. Each title contains a 1-2 hour lesson, complete with PowerPoint and student test. For additional information on the "Training in a Box" Series please visit http://www.apcointl.com/institute/products_publications.htm. The September Series - Three Titles for $99 including Shipping and Handling - includes: Call Prioritization, Communications for Responders and Report Procedures.

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 http://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 title is Teamwork in Communications on September 19.

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

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   http://www.grantwritingusa.com/ to register.

Click here to visit the APCO Store.

Click here for rebanding information.

Click here for APCO publications.

Have a position opening?

Why not advertise where
public safety communications
professionals look first?

Click here for more information.  

Click here for the Calendar of Events.

Click here for info on PSFA.

Click here for frequency coordination information.

Attend one of our co-hosted classes!

Public Safety Telecommunicator 1, 6th Edition
Bedford, PA   September 17-21
Greenfield, MO November 5-9

Public Safety Telecommunicator 1, 6th Edition Instructor
Sugar Land, TX November 5-9

Communications Training Officer
South Winsor, CT November 6-8

Communications Training Officer Instructor
Sugar Land, TX November 5-9
  
Communications Center Supervisor 
Bolingbrook, IL October 15-17
Papillion, NE  November 6-8 

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

Telecommuicators Role In Homeland Security    
Bolingbrook, IL October 22-24

Emergency Medical Dispatch Instructor
Bedford, VA  November 12-16