On January 28, APCO CEO and Executive Director Mel Maier testified before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media at a hearing titled “On the Front Lines of Connectivity: Examining FirstNet’s Role in Public Safety.”
APCO Scholarship Program Is Open
Are you an APCO member looking to advance your career with APCO Institute training but need financial assistance? APCO scholarships are available exclusively for APCO members and can be used for APCO Institute courses and leadership programs, including the RPL and CPE programs.
Key deadlines:
- CPE Scholarships: Applications due by February 15
- RPL Scholarships: Applications due by March 1
- General Scholarships: Applications due by April 1
PSC January/February 2026 Issue Is Online
PSC, APCO’s bi-monthly magazine, is a membership benefit and the authoritative source of information on public safety communications worldwide. This issue includes features on:
- AI at the Console: Reinforcement, Not Replacement
- Beyond the Call: How AI Improves the Non-Emergency Experience
- Integrating the Flock Camera System Into the ECC
Register Now for APCO’s Wellness & Workforce Summit in February 2026
The Summit program will explore the full employee experience including recruitment, retention, culture, leadership and wellness through innovative, practical, and evidence-based strategies. Join us in Phoenix to learn how to:
- Integrate wellness into organizational change
- Transform your leadership approach
- Boost communication and team dynamics
- Collaborate with peers shaping the future of the profession
Upcoming Webinars
- Redefining Reliability in Public Safety Communications. What Comes Next After Poly
January 28, 2026 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET - The Role of Over the Top (OTT) Applications and Services in NG9-1-1
February 25, 2026 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET
Free for members; $59 for non-members | Worth 1 CDE
Nominations Are Open for ECC and Technology Leadership Awards
The APCO awards honor the everyday heroes in emergency communications, as well as ECCs that exemplify technological excellence. The deadline to submit your nomination is April 1. All award winners will be honored at APCO 2026, August 2-5, in San Antonio, Texas.
Being an APCO member has added immeasurable value to my professional and personal growth. As a member, you have access to top-notch resources, industry expertise and the opportunity to join a networking powerhouse.
Keeping You Up to Date
APCO is your source for public safety communications news that affects you, your job and your community.
CPE Class 19 Graduates From APCO’s Certified Public-Safety Executive Program
APCO International is pleased to announce that the following individuals have recently earned the Certified Public-Safety Executive (CPE) designation.
Silent Key: Bernard Joseph “Buster” Brown
Bernard Joseph “Buster” Brown, a dedicated APCO member of Estill Springs, Tennessee, passed away January 15. Brown, the assistant director of the Rutherford County (Tennessee) Emergency Communications District in Murfreesboro, was an APCO member for 20 years.
Bills to Support Public Safety Communications Advance in the House of Representatives
On January 21, 2026 the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced the Emergency Reporting Act (H.R. 5200) and the Kari’s Law Report Act (H.R. 5201), bills that will help ensure access to 9-1-1 and improve situational awareness regarding network outages that can affect calls to 9-1-1.
APCO International Seeks Volunteers for Critical Public Safety Standards Development
APCO International has filed a Project Initiation with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to revise three critical industry standards.
APCO Submits Filing on Cell Signal Jamming
On January 12, 2026, APCO submitted a filing in the Federal Communications Commission’s proceeding on the deployment of cell signal jamming technologies to combat contraband phones in correctional facilities.
Thank You to Our Partners
Corporate Partner Spotlight
At NGA 911 we are on a mission to make 9-1-1 communication easier. We do that with secure, cloud-based NG9-1-1 technology. With NGA 911, you get accurate call routing, the highest possible fault tolerance and stability, and enhanced data for more effective and faster emergency response.
