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APCO SEEKS COMMENTS ON UPDATE TO SERVICE CAPABILITY STANDARD
June 8, 2010, Alexandria, Va. - The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International released for comments today a candidate American National Standard (ANS) to assist public safety answering point (PSAP) managers and their governing authorities in identifying their current level of service capability.
Candidate APCO/NENA ANS 1.102.2-201x Service Capability Criteria Rating Scale Revision of APCO/NENA ANS 1.102.1-2008 is an assessment tool that facilitates an objective review of the current capabilities of the PSAP against models representing the best level of preparedness, survivability and sustainability amidst a wide range of natural and man-made events. The self-evaluation assessment tool provides the basis for discussion with funding bodies concerning the PSAP status in regard to their current technological position and readiness or effectiveness to survive certain risks associated with local vulnerabilities.
"Our public safety answering points must be able to survive during disasters in order to provide the public with the emergency services they need when they need them the most," APCO International President Richard Mirgon said. "This standard allows them to assess their capabilities prior to an event to ensure the highest level of preparedness and response to the safety and security needs of the public."
As a joint effort of APCO International and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), the standard was reissued to allow for the addition of "Day-to-Day" operations service capability criteria items and provide updates to existing "Survivability" items, based upon lessons learned in the field since the original publication. The proposed ANS can be downloaded at http://www.apcointl.org/new/commcenter911/ansi-activity.php. Comments and questions must be sent by July 19 to standards@apcointl.org. About APCO International
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to the enhancement of public safety communications. APCO International serves the professional needs of its 15,000 members worldwide by creating a platform for setting professional standards, addressing professional issues and providing education, products and services for people who manage, operate, maintain and supply the communications systems used by police, fire and emergency medical dispatch agencies throughout the world. For more information, visit www.apcointl.org.
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