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APCO International is the world's largest organization of public safety
communications professionals. It serves the needs of public safety
communications practitioners worldwide - and the welfare of the general
public as a whole - by providing complete expertise, professional
development, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach.
Mission
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) is an international leader committed to providing complete public safety communications expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach to benefit our members and the public.
Vision
APCO International commits to strengthen our communities by empowering and educating public safety communications professionals.
Core Principles Manifesto
As the leading public safety communications association, APCO believes, stands for, advocates and/or supports:
- That every state mandate and/or adopt standard criterion for 9-1-1 public safety call taker and dispatcher training, using APCO ANS 3.103.1-2010: Minimum Training Standards for Public Safety Telecommunicators as a baseline, accredited by American National Standards Institute (ANSI), for certification and re-certification to maintain the highest level of knowledge, skill and ability;
- That Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) pre-arrival medical protocols are mandated and/or adopted by every state so that every citizen requesting an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) response is provided appropriate medical advice while EMS assistance is en route;
- That 9-1-1 public safety communications personnel should be paid a fair and equitable wage and receive benefits commensurate with the mission critical life saving nature of the job they perform each day, while working cohesively in providing services to and in support of Law Enforcement, Fire-Rescue and Emergency Medical Service providers;
- That adequate radio spectrum of all type (narrowband, broadband, etc.) is made available to public safety services to fulfill their mission and the needs and expectations of communities and citizens they serve and protect;
- That 9-1-1 fees/taxes collected from the public are used exclusively in support of 9-1-1 public safety communications and that funds collected are not diverted to other purposes; and
- That training, operational and technical standards are utilized and that the public safety communications standards continue to developed in support of the profession.
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