Richard K. Bauer, 75, of Wheaton, Illinois, retired deputy director for DuPage Public Safety Communications and a key figure in the Illinois APCO Chapter, passed away July 30.
Newly Updated! Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) 1, 8th Edition
APCO is pleased to announce the release of the Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) 1, 8th Edition and PST 1, 8th Edition Instructor courses, available beginning September 30, 2026. The 8th Edition replaces the PST 7th Edition curriculum and reflects the latest updates in public safety telecommunicator training.
To help current PST 7th Edition certificate holders transition to the new edition, APCO is offering the PST 8th Edition Update and PST 8th Edition Instructor Update courses. Current PST 7th Edition certificate holders have until September 26, 2028, to complete the applicable update course and maintain their certification.
Survey: State of AI in Public Safety
APCO International and RapidSOS are partnering on the first survey of its kind on AI in public safety. It asks ECC leaders and public safety telecommunicators what’s working, what’s holding agencies back and what would help as you explore where AI fits in your operation. It’s anonymous, takes about 15 minutes and results go back to the field in a joint report on the findings this fall.
GMU Comprehensive Survey of Emergency Communications Centers
Public safety communications professionals face unprecedented challenges — from staffing shortages and employee retention to evolving technology and increasing operational demands. To better understand these issues and develop meaningful solutions, APCO International has partnered with George Mason University to conduct a comprehensive survey of emergency communications centers (ECCs) across the United States.
PSC July/August 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:
- APCO Heads to San Antonio
- Membership in Action
- More Than a Booth
Plus CDE articles and online exclusives!
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.
From Canvas to Community: Paintings of 9-1-1
North Central Texas Emergency Communications District (NCT9-1-1) and Motorola Solutions turned public safety children’s art into building-sized murals in North Central Texas.
APCO 2026: Connect & Celebrate Dinner
The Connect & Celebrate Dinner in the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center on Wednesday, Aug. 5, featured award presentations, the swearing-in of the Board members and of the 2026-2027 Executive Committee. It also featured the farewell and inaugural addresses from outgoing President Jack Varnado and incoming President Michael O’Connor.
APCO 2026: Food for Thought Luncheon
APCO 2026’s Food for Thought Lunch on Wednesday at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center honored chapters for membership growth, recognized agencies for training accreditation, presented individual honors and looked to next year’s conference in Anaheim. A confidence coach and bestselling author closed with a pitch for why personal confidence pays off for you and those around you.
Wilderness Wellness for 9-1-1 Dispatchers
Wilderness wellness is built on three simple pillars: engaging with nature, connecting with others and incorporating movement. For 9-1-1 dispatchers, whose work demands constant exposure to trauma, this approach offers a science‑backed method for lifting the mental “cloud” that forms when difficult calls linger in our minds.
The Human Firewall
Cyberattacks against organizations are no longer a matter of if, but when. Bixler brought cyber preparedness down to the public safety telecommunicator level, emphasizing that everyone should know the initial steps in responding to a cyber incident.
