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2008-2010 APCO Press Releases
2/8/2010 - APCO AND NPSTC SEEK COMMENTS ON ADDITION TO DRAFT CHANNEL NAMING STANDARD The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) released for comments an addition to a candidate American National Standard (ANS) to ensure national consistency of interoperability on related radio channels.
2/3/2010 - APCO EMD PROGRAM HELPS 9-1-1 CALLTAKERS SAVE LIVES Following a recent story on The Today Show that highlighted the importance of training for 9-1-1 calltakers, the APCO Institute reminds public safety agencies of its life-saving Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Program.
1/28/2010 - APCO RECOMMENDS COMMUNICATIONS RESTORATION PLAN FOR HAITI The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International has participated in discussions with U.S. officials coordinating with Haitian government officials to discuss plans to restore public safety communications services in Haiti following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake on January 12.
1/28/2010 - PUBLIC SAFETY LEADERS REITERATE CALL FOR CONGRESS TO REALLOCATE D BLOCK TO PUBLIC SAFETY In the wake of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) first public disclosure of proposed portions of the National Broadband Plan due to Congress in March, major national public safety associations firmly reasserted their strong, united support for Congress to introduce and pass legislation reallocating the D Block spectrum to public safety now. Rear Admiral (Ret.) James Arden Barnett, Jr., Chief of the FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, presented on the FCC's National Broadband Plan as part of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International's 2010 Winter Technology Summit.
1/21/2010 - FAYETTE COUNTY EMA/911 IMPLEMENTS APCO EMD Fayette County EMA/911 recently implemented the APCO Institute Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Program. Fayette County EMA/911 is a county-wide 911 public safety answering point serving the County of Fayette, Penn., a mostly rural and urban area approximately 50 miles south of Pittsburgh, Penn. and 20 miles north of Morgantown, WV with a population of approximately 147,000 and an annual call volume over 100,000.
1/11/2010 - APCO EVENT EXPLORES EMERGING EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International will host its Winter Technology Summit January 25-27 in Orlando, Fla. to discuss the latest trends and emerging technologies in emergency communications.
1/11/2010 - SANTA MONICA FIRE DISPATCH COMMUNICATIONS CENTER IMPLEMENTS APCO EMD Santa Monica Fire Dispatch Communications Center recently implemented the APCO Institute Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Program. Santa Monica Fire Dispatch Communications Center provides fire suppression and rescue, medical aid and advanced life support for all Santa Monica residents with an annual call volume of 11,500.
1/7/2010 - MEDIA ADVISORY: NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY LEADERSHIP CALLS ON CONGRESS AND THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO REALLOCATE BROADBAND SPECTRUM FOR PUBLIC SAFETY In an unparalleled event, the leadership of America's emergency first responders has come together to call on Congress to immediately reallocate the 700 MHz "D" Block spectrum to public safety. At this press conference, our nation's top police chiefs, sheriffs, and fire chiefs will highlight the urgent need for an interoperable public safety wireless broadband network. They will also report out on their meetings with key members of Congress and the Obama Administration that will have taken place earlier in the day.
11/16/2009 - PUBLIC SAFETY ASSOCIATIONS HOLD THIRD MEETING TO FORM CONSENSUS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONWIDE BROADBAND NETWORK The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCC) co-hosted a meeting on Friday of nine major public safety organizations to further address matters related to the development of a nationwide interoperable broadband network. The meeting included representatives from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), Major County Sheriffs' Association (MCS), Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association (MFCA), National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), National Emergency Number Association (NENA) and the National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) in follow up to two meetings convened in April and May of this year.
10/26/2009 - APCO INSTITUTE PRESENTS NEW TRAINING ON PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS STAFFING AND EMPLOYEE RETENTION APCO Institute today announced the release of its new course, Public Safety Communications Staffing and Employee Retention. This course is designed to provide guidance and information to public safety communications center employees at every level.
10/26/2009 - FCC APPOINTS APCO BOARD MEMBER TO CO-CHAIR COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today heralded the appointment of Immediate Past President Chris Fischer of Seattle, Wash. as co-chair of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council (CSRIC) for a term of two years.
10/26/2009 - HAMILTON COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS DISTRICT IMPLEMENTS APCO EMD Hamilton County Emergency Communications District recently implemented the APCO Institute Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Program. Hamilton County Emergency Communications District provides 9-1-1 service for all Hamilton County residents, excluding the municipalities of Soddy Daisy and Lookout Mountain, providing dispatch services for emergency medical services (EMS), fire/rescue and law enforcement with an annual call volume near 900,000.
10/22/2009 - APCO TO HOST THIRD MEETING TO DISCUSS DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONWIDE INTEROPERABLE BROADBAND NETWORK The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International announced today that it will convene, in conjunction with the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCC), a meeting of eight key public safety organizations to further address matters related to the development of a nationwide interoperable broadband network. In addition to the convening organizations, the meeting will include the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the Major County Sheriffs’ Association (MCS), the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association (MFCA) and the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) and the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) and serve as a follow up to meetings convened by MCC and APCO International this spring.
10/19/2009 - APCO AND NPSTC SEEK COMMENTS ON DRAFT CHANNEL NAMING STANDARD The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) released for comments a candidate American National Standard (ANS) to ensure national consistency of interoperability on related radio channels. The proposed Standard Channel Nomenclature for Public Safety Interoperability Channels provides a standardized naming format for each Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated Interoperability Channel in Public Safety Radio Services.
10/16/2009 - APCO CELEBRATES SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO EXTEND VITAL PUBLIC SAFETY FUNDING The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today applauded the Senate's passage of a bill that will extend the current spending deadline for the Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) grant program to 2012. The PSIC program was originally established by Congress to provide one-time funding of $1 billion to state and local governments toward achieving interoperability among our first responders.
10/13/2009 - APCO ANNOUNCES INTENT TO DEVELOP STANDARDS FOR BUILD OUT OF 700 MHz BROADBAND NETWORK The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today announced its intent to develop standards for 700 MHz broadband networks. This effort builds on recent actions of APCO International, the Public Safety Spectrum Trust (PSST) and the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) Broadband Network Requirement Task Force. In reviewing the PSST-endorsed report, APCO International will identify gaps and set standards in those areas where none currently exist and where standards are necessary to ensure roaming and interoperability among localities and regions that intend to build out 700 MHz broadband networks.
10/13/2009 - APCO APPLAUDS ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR D-BLOCK COMMENTS The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today applauded Attorney General Eric Holder for his comments in support of direct allocation of the D-Block to public safety.
9/23/2009 - APCO-TRAINED COMMUNICATIONS CENTER OPENS IN MIDDLE EAST APCO Institute celebrated the opening of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) on September 23. The University includes Security Command and Control’s 911 Communications Center, staffed with APCO Institute-trained personnel and using APCO Institute support software, an all-inclusive program launched in April and administered by APCO Institute Adjunct Instructor Mark Boudreaux, director of Terrebonne 911 District in Louisiana.
9/23/2009 - APCO APPLAUDS SENATORS ROCKEFELLER AND HUTCHISON FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP TO EXTEND VITAL PUBLIC SAFETY FUNDING The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today applauded Senators John D. Rockefeller IV (D - WV) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R - Tex.) for their introduction of bipartisan legislation to extend the current spending deadline for the Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) grant program. The PSIC program was originally established by Congress to provide one-time funding of $1 billion to state and local governments toward achieving interoperability among our first responders.
9/22/2009 - HURON TOWNSHIP POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT IMPLEMENTS APCO EMD Huron Township Police and Fire Department recently implemented the APCO Institute Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Program. Huron Township Police and Fire Department provides call taking and dispatching for police, fire and emergency medical services (EMS) for the 36 square miles of Huron Township.
9/14/2009 - APCO SEEKS COMMENTS ON UPDATED DRAFT MINIMUM TRAINING STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International released for comments a candidate American National Standard (ANS) that identifies the minimum training requirements for public safety telecommunicators.
9/9/2009 - CORE COMPETENCIES FOR MANAGERS AND DIRECTORS APPROVED BY ANSI The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International announced today the approval by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) of a standard that outlines the core competencies that define the basic functions, duties, responsibilities, knowledge, abilities and expertise attributable to individuals who manage public safety communications operations.
8/20/2009 - APCO ANNOUNCES NEW TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION INITIATIVE The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today announced their intent to create a Training and Certification Tracking (TACT) System. This announcement came during their 75th Annual Conference and Exposition, which featured sessions on training and certification issues.
8/19/2009 - APCO LEADERSHIP HOSTS TOWN HALL ON 700-MHz BROADBANDThe Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International hosted a Town Hall Meeting on the FCC Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Notice Seeking Comment on Petitions for Waivers to Deploy 700-MHz Public Safety Broadband Networks during their 75th Annual Conference and Exposition. During the meeting, representatives of petitioners who filed waiver requests with the FCC to deploy the 700-MHz public safety broadband network discussed the issue.
8/18/2009 - APCO AND IJIS INSTITUTE PRESENT DATA INTEROPERABILITY PAPERSThe Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and the IJIS Institute's Public Safety Data Interoperability (PSDI) Program are releasing the Guide to Information Sharing and Data Interoperability for Local Communication Centers and the Priority Data Exchanges for Local Communication during a session at APCO Internationals 75th Annual Conference and Exposition today.
8/17/2009 - APCO EVENTS HIGHLIGHT STAFFING AND RETENTION ISSUESTwo events at the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International's 75th Annual Conference and Exposition today will highlight one of the most important issues affecting public safety communications and present information to help public safety communications professionals address it.
8/16/2009 - APCO HOSTS COML TRAINING In response to the immediate need for trained All-Hazard Communications Unit Leaders (COMLs), the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International hosted the All-Hazards Communications Unit Leader (COML) Course in conjunction with its 75th Annual Conference and Exposition in Las Vegas, Nev. The course is required for telecommunicators, police and fire personnel to be officially recognized and utilized under the National Incident Management System (NIMS) command structure.
8/5/2009 - APCO HOSTS 75th ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND EXPO IN LAS VEGAS The APCO International Annual Conference presents the industry's best educational and product offerings. This year's conference in Las Vegas will kick off the Association's 75th Anniversary. During the four days of the conference, attendees will learn new skills from more than 90 educational sessions, explore new products and services from more than 350 companies, and connect with over 5,000 other public safety communications officials.
8/5/2009 - APCO ELEVATES 9-1-1 CALL TAKERS AND DISPATCHERS The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today reiterated their support for the life-saving work of 9-1-1 call takers and dispatchers.
8/5/2009 - APCO CONGRATULATES COMMISSIONERS CLYBURN AND BAKER The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today congratulated Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, who was sworn in Monday, and Commissioner Meredith Baker, who was sworn in on Friday.
7/1/2009 - APCO SEEKS COMMENTS ON REVISIONS TO MINIMUM TRAINING STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORSThe Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today released for comment a standard to identify minimum training requirements for public safety telecommunicators. The revision includes information for those typically charged with receiving, processing, transmitting, and conveying public safety information to dispatchers, law enforcement officers, fire fighters, emergency medical and emergency management personnel. This document seeks to define training in certain knowledge, skills, and abilities to be provided to telecommunicators by the agency, allowing different agencies to comply with the portions of the standard applicable to the functions within their agency.
6/30/2009 - ARLINGTON COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER IMPLEMENTS APCO EMDArlington County Emergency Communications Center recently implemented the APCO Institute Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Program. Arlington County Emergency Communications Center provides 9-1-1 dispatching for Arlington County, Falls Church City, the Pentagon, Fort Myer Army Base and Arlington National Cemetery with a staff of 55 and an annual call volume of over 500,000.
6/26/2009 - APCO CONGRATULATES GENACHOWSKI AND MCDOWELLThe Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today congratulated Julius Genachowski on his Senate confirmation for chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Commissioner Robert McDowell on his Senate reconfirmation.
6/25/2009 - APCO RESPONDS TO NENA BROADBAND NETWORK POSITIONThe Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today responded to a proposal from the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) regarding public safety broadband communications. NENA�s plan is to auction both the 700-MHz band D-block and adjacent 10 MHz of public-safety spectrum for commercial use.
6/17/2009 - ORLAND CENTRAL DISPATCH IMPLEMENTS APCO EMDOrland Central Dispatch recently implemented the APCO Institute Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Program. Orland Central Dispatch provides 9-1-1 call taking and dispatching for the Villages of Orland Park, Orland Hills and Romeoville and the City of Calumet with three full-time staff and an annual call volume of 23,000.
6/15/2009 - ANSI APPROVES APCO/NENA STANDARD FOR TERT DEPLOYMENTThe Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) today announced the approval of the American National Standard (ANS) to assist public safety answering points (PSAPs) and governing 9-1-1 authorities with the information required for developing, training, equipping and deploying a Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce (TERT) team. The Standard for TERT Deployment, APCO/NENA ANS 1.105.1-2009, was approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) on May 29.
6/11/2009 - CALHOUN COUNTY 9-1-1 DISTRICT IMPLEMENTS APCO EMDCalhoun County 9-1-1 District recently implemented the APCO Institute Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Program. Calhoun County 9-1-1 District provides 9-1-1 call taking and dispatching for Calhoun County with 23 full-time staff and an annual call volume of 75,000.
6/9/2009 - APCO & NENA ENDORSE LTE AS TECHNOLOGY STANDARD FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONWIDE BROADBAND NETWORKThe Board of Officers of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and the Executive Committee of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) today announced both organizations� endorsement of Long Term Evolution (LTE) as the technological standard to be used in the development of a nationwide interoperable broadband network in the 700-MHz band assigned to public safety. APCO and NENA also urged their partner organizations meeting this week at the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council to join in endorsing LTE.
6/8/2009 - APCO ANNOUNCES 2009 P33 CERTIFICATIONS AND RECERTIFICATIONThe Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today announced the agencies they have recognized as having achieved certified compliance in meeting or exceeding the APCO Project 33 � Revised Minimum Training Standards for Public Safety Telecommunicators. The certification and recertification presentations will be made at the Distinguished Achievers Breakfast at the APCO International 75th Annual Conference and Exposition in Las Vegas, Nev. on August 18.
6/1/2009 - CULPEPER PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER IMPLEMENTS APCO EMDCulpeper Public Safety Communications Center recently implemented the APCO Institute Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Program. Culpeper Public Safety Communications Center provides call taking and dispatching for all 9-1-1 calls for the city and county police department, sheriff�s office and fire rescue dispatch with 19 full-time staff and an annual call volume of 81,000.
6/1/2009 - APCO ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL HORIZON AWARD WINNERSThe Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today announced the inaugural winners of its Horizon Award. The Horizon Award acknowledges the efforts of communications centers that have proactively assessed and met the technological and operational needs of their center, employees and service population and are presented to one large center and one small center. The awards will be presented at the APCO International 75th Annual Conference and Exposition in Las Vegas, Nev. on August 18.
5/28/2009 - PUBLIC SAFETY ASSOCIATIONS MEET TO FORM CONSENSUS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONWIDE BROADBAND NETWORK The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International hosted a meeting today of eight major public safety organizations to further address matters related to the development of a nationwide interoperable broadband network. The meeting included representatives from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCC), Major County Sheriffs� Association (MCS), Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association (MFCA), National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), and the National Sheriffs� Association (NSA) in follow up to a meeting convened by MCC on April 20.
5/28/2009 - APCO PROMOTES PREPAREDNESS AT START OF HURRICANE SEASON The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today released recommendations for public safety communications personnel as they prepare for the 2009 hurricane season.
5/26/2009 - APCO ANNOUNCES 2009 PUBLIC-SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS AWARD WINNERS The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today announced the 2009 Public-Safety Communications Award winners. The awards will be presented at the Opening General Session of the APCO International 75th Annual Conference and Exposition in Las Vegas, Nev. on August 17.
5/21/2009 - IRIDIUM LAUNCHES THIRD ANNUAL "TEST YOUR SATELLITE PHONE" WEEK TO ENCOURAGE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS PREPAREDNESS Iridium Satellite LLC announces the kickoff of its third annual "Test Your Satellite Phone" initiative. In partnership with The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International, Iridium encourages emergency workers and first responders to prepare now to ensure that one of their most critical lifelines in a disaster � their satellite phone � works properly.
5/13/2009 - APCO TO HOST SECOND MEETING OF PUBLIC SAFETY ASSOCIATIONS IN FOLLOW UP TO MAJOR CITIES CHIEFS FORUM The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International announced today that it will host a meeting of eight major public safety organizations to further address matters related to the development of a nationwide interoperable broadband network. The meeting will include the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCC), Major County Sheriffs� Association (MCS), Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association (MFCA), National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), and the National Sheriffs� Association (NSA) and serve as a follow up to a meeting convened by MCC on April 20.
5/11/2009 - APCO SEEKS COMMENTS ON PROPOSED CORE COMPETENCIES FOR MANAGERS AND DIRECTORS The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International released for comments a candidate American National Standard (ANS) that outlines the core competencies that define the basic functions, duties, responsibilities, knowledge, abilities and expertise attributable to individuals who manage public safety communications operations.
5/4/2009 - APCO SUPPORTS EXTENSION OF PSIC GRANT PROGRAMThe Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today released a position statement expressing its support for Representative Anh "Joseph" Cao�s (R � La.) bill, H.R. 1819, to amend the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 to extend the interoperable emergency communications grant program (IECGP) through fiscal year 2012. The IECGP provides a critical continuation to the initial Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) funding program, which holds the promise of providing $1 billion to state and local government to begin to substantially address the lack of operable or interoperable communications among our nation�s first responders and public safety agencies.
4/28/2009 - BOONE COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY/E9-1-1 IMPLEMENTS APCO EMDBoone County Emergency Management Agency/ E9-1-1 recently implemented the APCO Institute Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Program. Boone County Emergency Management Agency/ E9-1-1 provides call taking and dispatching for all 9-1-1 calls for city, county and state police, fire departments and ambulance services with a staff of 19 and an annual call volume of over 20,000.
4/22/2009 - APCO-AFC TO PROVIDE FREQUENCY COORDINATION FOR PTI The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International announced today the partnership between its frequency coordination subsidiary, APCO-AFC, and the Public Technology Institute (PTI).
4/20/2009 - APCO LAUNCHES STUDY TO ASSESS HUMAN RESOURCES IN PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today announced their intent to study the current status of training standards and certification requirements, retirement options and other key human resource issues related to public safety communications professionals. The study will be conducted by APCO International's newly appointed Professional Communications Human Resource Taskforce (PRO-CHRT), symbolically approved during National Public Safety Telecommunications Week.
4/14/2009 - 9-1-1 MISUSE AND WIRELESS LOCATION ACCURACY ADDRESSED IN NEW PUBLIC
EDUCATION CAMPAIGN The Association of Public-Safety
Communications Officials (APCO) International today released two public
service announcements as a part of their campaign to educate the public
about the proper use of 9-1-1. These public service announcements,
released for broadcast during National Public Safety Telecommunications
Week, use humor to address two very serious issues plaguing the 9-1-1
system - the misuse of 9-1-1 for non-emergencies and the challenges
associated with calling 9-1-1 from mobile phones.
4/6/2009 - NEW EVENT FOCUSES ON WOMEN AND LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International will sponsor the first Women in Public Safety Communications Leadership Symposium in Orlando, Fla. May 7-8.
4/1/2009 - APCO SEEKS COMMENTS ON DRAFT STANDARD FOR TERT DEPLOYMENT The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) released for comments a candidate American National Standard (ANS) to assist Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) and governing 9-1-1 authorities with the information required for developing, training, equipping and deploying a standardized Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce (TERT) team. The Standard for TERT Deployment, APCO/NENA ANS 1.105.1-200x, includes information to provide guidance and helpful information regarding the development, maintenance and deployment of a TERT team.
3/30/2009 - APCO BRINGS PUBLIC SAFETY TO THE MIDDLE EAST The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International announced today that its training arm is reaching to Saudi Arabia in an effort to help secure a local university. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has accepted the APCO Institute�s proposal to provide an all-inclusive training program for communications personnel in their new communications center.
3/19/2009 - APCO ANNOUNCES 2009 LEADERSHIP IN POLICY AWARD WINNERS TO BE HONORED APRIL 7 TThe Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International will hold its Fifth Annual Public Safety Communications Leadership in Policy Awards Dinner on April 7 at the Fairmont in Washington, D.C. and present its annual awards for excellence in public safety communications policy.
2/23/2009 - TELECOMMUNICATOR TURN-OVER RATE REACHES 19 PERCENT The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today released a follow-up report to its Project RETAINS (Responsive Efforts to Assure Integral Needs in Staffing), which finds the national telecommunicator turn-over rate at 19 percent, an increase of three percent since the initial study conducted in 2005 and higher than the better-known turn-over rates of nurses and teachers. The report also includes highly sought-after guidelines to estimate the appropriate staffing levels for dispatchers.
2/18/2009 - BROWN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE UPGRADES EMD PROGRAM Brown County (Kan.) Sheriff's Office has become the latest communications center to upgrade their APCO Institute Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Guidecards to the Multi-purpose Emergency Dispatch System (MEDS) software.
2/9/2009 - APCO HOSTS 2009 WINTER SUMMIT IN ORLANDO With a focus on technology and information technology, APCO International's 2009 Winter Summit's presentations and networking opportunities arm you with up-to-date information on industry trends to help you make educated strategy and purchasing decisions throughout the year. The Winter Summit will provide solutions to executives who work for agencies on a local, state, and federal level. Along with the technology focus you'll hear the latest news on regulatory, policy, rebanding, narrowbanding, and Next Gen 9-1-1 issues affecting public safety communications.
2/5/2009 - APCO AFC SELECTED TO MANAGE CAPRAD The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International announced today that its Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) has been named as a subcontractor to manage the Computer Assisted Pre-Coordination Resource and Database (CAPRAD) system. As part of the contract, APCO AFC will provide technical, consultative, and personnel support to the 700/800 MHz Regional Planning Committees (RPCs) and the CAPRAD system.
1/29/2009 - APCO PRAISES FCC'S APPOINTMENT OF FURTH The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today praised Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Acting Chairman Michael Copps for the appointment of David Furth as acting chief of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau.
1/26/2009 - ANSI APPROVES ALARM MONITORING COMPANY TO PSAP DATA EXCHANGE STANDARDThe Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International announced today the approval of an American National Standard (ANS) to provide a standard data exchange for electronically transmitting information between an alarm monitoring company and a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).
1/23/2009 - APCO REAPPOINTED TO NTIA SPECTRUM COMMITTEEThe Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International announced today that its representative to the Department of Commerce's (DOC) National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Commerce Spectrum Advisory Committee, Robert Gurss, has been reappointed to represent the organization for a second two-year term. APCO International, through Gurss, has had representation on this committee since its inception.
1/21/2009 - APCO INSTITUTE LAUNCHES EMERGENCY MEDICAL DISPATCH ONLINEThe APCO Institute announced today it would offer its first online Emergency Medical Dispatcher course.
1/13/2009 - LEARN HOW TO READY YOUR COMMUNICATIONS CENTER FOR VRS AND IP CALLSAs you are aware, it is imperative that call takers are familiar with the unique processes involved in ensuring that all emergency calls are handled as efficiently and effectively as possible. Calls using Video Relay Service (VRS) or Internet Protocol (IP) Relay Service present additional challenges for call takers, but with the December 31 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandate upon us, we must take action to ensure our preparedness.
1/12/2009 - APCO AND PTI PRESENT TECH FOR EXECSThe Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International announced today its partnership with Public Technology Institute (PTI) to provide a specialized technical program designed for the unique educational needs of executive and strategic decision-making level public safety communications professionals. Tech for Execs will take place Tuesday, February 17 in Orlando, Fla. in conjunction with the 6th Annual APCO International Winter Summit.
11/25/2008 - SAGINAW CHIPPEWA TRIBAL POLICE IMPLEMENTS APCO EMDSaginaw Chippewa Tribal Police recently implemented the APCO Institute Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Program. Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police serves Mt. Pleasant and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe Reservation.
11/17/2008 - ANSI APPROVED APCO AND NENA STANDARD PSAP-SERVICE CAPABILITY CRITERIA RATING SCALEThe Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) announced today that the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) approved the APCO and NENA standard to assist Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) managers and their governing authorities to identify their current level of service capability.
11/17/2008 - BRADLEY COUNTY (TN) 911 IMPLEMENTS APCO EMDBradley County (TN) 911 recently implemented the APCO Institute Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Program. Bradley County 911 is a consolidated dispatch center serving Cleveland City, Bradley County and the City of Charleston with an annual call volume of 17,000.
11/10/2008 - APCO SEEKS COMMENTS ON ALARM MONITORING COMPANY TO PSAP DATA EXCHANGE DRAFT STANDARDThe Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International released for comments a candidate American National Standard (ANS) to provide a standard data exchange for electronically transmitting information between an alarm monitoring company and a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).
11/7/2008 - FCC RELEASES VACATED SPECTRUM SEARCH ENGINE - AFC ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS NOVEMBER 7The FCC today released the much anticipated public notice on Sprint/Nextel vacated spectrum. The FCC permitted Sprint/Nextel to release the spectrum it must vacate in stages as band reconfiguration progresses in each NPSPAC public safety region. Sprint/Nextel has relinquished its channel holdings in the 809-809.5/854.854.5 MHz band segment in all regions (20 channels in all). These channels will be made available for licensing exclusively to public safety entities for a three-year period, and exclusively to public safety and CII entities for an additional two years.
10/31/2008 - MILESTONE REACHED IN ALARM DATA TRANSMISSIONThe Public Safety Data Interoperability (PSDI) Program announces the successful conversion of the External Alarm Interface Information Exchange Packet Documentation (IEPD) to the National Information Exchange Model (NIEM) Version 2.0. NIEM is designed to develop, disseminate, and support information sharing standards and processes across the whole of the public safety, justice, emergency and disaster management, intelligence, and homeland security enterprise at all levels and across all branches of government. The PSDI program and the IEPD conversion project were funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, US Department of Justice. The PSDI program is co-managed by the IJIS Institute and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International
10/23/2008 - APCO RELEASES MISSING CHILD RESPONSE GUIDECARDS The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International released today guidecards to aid calltakers in handling calls pertaining to missing and exploited children through its APCO Institute. The Missing Children Guidecards are based on the APCO International American National Standard, released last year, and serve as a reference specifically for emergency calltakers to present the missing and/or sexually exploited child response process in a logical progression from the initial call through the first response.
10/14/2008 - APCO PARTICIPATES IN VETERAN CAREER TRAINING The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today participated in an orientation encouraging veterans to seek a career in public safety communications.
9/30/2008 - APCO AND NENA SEEK ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON DRAFT STANDARD PSAP-SERVICE CAPABILITY CRITERIA RATING SCALE The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) released for comments Friday a proposed addition to a candidate American National Standard (ANS) to assist Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) managers and their governing authorities to identify their current level of service capability.
9/22/2008 - TEXAS TERT ACTIVATION FOR IKE A SUCCESS The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), the founding partners of the National Joint TERT Initiative (NJTI), today reported the results of the Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce (TERT) activation in Texas following Hurricane Ike.
9/16/2008 - APCO HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF NATIONAL BROADBAND PUBLIC SAFETY NETWORK IN HEARING TESTIMONY TODAY The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International reaffirmed their support for a public safety broadband network that meets the needs of first responders during mission-critical incidents today in a hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security.
9/8/2008 - NEW JERSEY APPROVED APCO INSTITUTE PST1 COURSE The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International announced today that the New Jersey Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services approved the APCO Institute's Public Safety Telecommunicator I (PST1) online course for training its telecommunications professionals. All training courses used by its employees must first be approved by the New Jersey Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services. This body has previously approved the in-person version of PST1 and APCO Institute's Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Program.
9/1/2008 - IRIDIUM MAKES DONATION TO APCO SILENT KEY SCHOLARSHIP The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today announced that Iridium Satellite LLC has donated $17,000 to the association's Silent Key Scholarship Fund which provides current and future public safety communications professionals with training and educational opportunities in honor of deceased APCO International members.
8/26/2008 -APCO AND NENA APPLAUD FCC FOR VOIP E9-1-1 ACTION The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) today applauded the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for their adoption of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking implementing provisions of the NET 911 Improvement Act (PL 110-283) today.
8/25/2008 -APCO WINS AWARD FOR MISSING CHILD POLICY AND STANDARD The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International announced today it is being honored with the American Society of Association Executives' (ASAE) highest award.
8/18/2008 -
APCO RELEASES ANSI APPROVED WIRELESS 9-1-1 DEPLOYMENT AND MANAGEMENT EFFECTIVE PRACTICES The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International released today an American National Standard (ANS) outlining effective practices for deploying and managing wireless 9-1-1.
7/23/2008 - APCO APPLAUDS ADMINISTRATION FOR SIGNING OF VOIP 9-1-1 BILL The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International applauded the Administration for signing the compromise bill requiring Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers to provide 9-1-1 service, including enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) service, to their subscribers.
7/15/2008 - APCO STRESSES FUNDING AS KEY TO THE SUCCESS OF THE NECPIn testimony today before the House Homeland Security Committee's Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response, APCO International stressed the importance of full funding for interoperable emergency communications grant programs and the National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) in order for the goals of the NECP to be successful.
6/24/2008 - APCO APPLAUDS CONGRESS FOR PASSAGE OF BIPARTISAN VOIP 9-1-1 BILL APCO International applauded Congress for passing a compromise bill that requires Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers to provide 9-1-1 service, including enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) service, to their subscribers.
6/24/2008 - APCO ANNOUNCES 2008 TRAINER PSAP AWARD WINNER Euless (Tex.) Police Department Lead Dispatcher and Communications Training Coordinator Debra Riley-Torrez Named Trainer of the Year by APCO International
6/3/2008 - APCO ANNOUNCES 2008 TRAINER PSAP AWARD WINNER Euless (Tex.) Police Department Lead Dispatcher and Communications Training Coordinator Debra Riley-Torrez Named Trainer of the Year by APCO International
6/3/2008 - APCO ANNOUNCES 2008 TELECOMMUNICATOR PSAP AWARD WINNER Stafford County (Va.) Sheriff’s Office Communications Officer Karen Roy Named Telecommunicator of the Year by APCO International
6/3/2008 - APCO ANNOUNCES 2008 RADIO FREQUENCY TECHNOLOGIST PSAP AWARD WINNER Mobile County (Ala.) Electronics Department Director of Public Safety Communications Eric Linsley Named Radio Frequency Technologist of the Year by APCO International
6/3/2008 - APCO ANNOUNCES 2008 LINE SUPERVISOR PSAP AWARD WINNER WHITCOM Regional 9-1-1 Center Dispatch Line Supervisor Susan Waltz Named Line Supervisor of the Year by APCO International
6/3/2008 - APCO ANNOUNCES 2008 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIST PSAP AWARD WINNER Orleans Parish (La.) Communication District Systems Administrator Karl Fasold Named Information Technologist of the Year by APCO International
6/3/2008 - APCO ANNOUNCES 2008 COMMUNICATIONS CENTER DIRECTOR PSAP AWARD WINNER
Tacoma, Wash. Law Enforcement Support Agency Director Thomas Orr Named Communications Center Director of the Year by APCO International
6/3/2008 - APCO ANNOUNCES 2008 PSAP AWARD WINNERS
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today announced the 2008 Public Safety Award Program (PSAP) award winners. The awards will be presented at the Opening General Session of the APCO International 74th Annual Conference and Exposition in Kansas City, Mo. on August 4.
5/27/2008 - APCO AND NENA SEEK COMMENTS ON DRAFT PSAP SERVICE CAPABILITY CRITERIA RATING SCALE
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) released Friday a candidate American National Standard (ANS) to assist Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) managers and their governing authorities to identify their current level of service capability.
5/27/2008 - LOUISA COUNTY (VA) SHERIFF’S OFFICE IMPLEMENTS APCO EMD Louisa County (VA) Sheriff's Office recently implemented the APCO Institute Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Program. Louisa County Sheriff's Office provides emergency dispatch for police, fire and emergency medical services (EMS) for the city and county as well as providing some monitoring for the Virginia State Police and local school bus traffic with an annual call volume of 153,000 calls per year.
4/30/2008 - APCO CONGRATULATES NENA’S NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International congratulated the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) following their announcement today of the hiring of their new Executive Director, former AT&T Vice President Brian Fontes. APCO International works closely with NENA on 9-1-1 related issues, and has interacted with Mr. Fontes in his previous commercial sector role over the past several years.
4/21/2008 -APCO WINS ASAE’S 2008 ASSOCIATIONS ADVANCE AMERICA AWARD OF EXCELLENCE The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International has won the Award of Excellence in the 2008 Associations Advance America (AAA) Awards program, a national competition sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and The Center for Association Leadership, Washington, DC.
1/22/2008 -NEW STANDARD ADDRESSES HANDLING REPORTS OF MISSING CHILDREN The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today released a standard for emergency calltakers to use in handling calls pertaining to missing and exploited children.
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