Asserting APCO’s Leadership Role in Public Safety Communications
The Government Relations Office (GRO) establishes and maintains relationships with Congress, federal agencies, the Administration, industry leaders, and national public safety and governmental organizations to advocate for the policies, regulations, and legislation of most importance to APCO members.
APCO Provides Recommendations to the FCC for Improving 9-1-1 Location Accuracy
On June 6, APCO submitted comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with recommendations for how the agency can strengthen its wireless 9-1-1 location accuracy rules so that public safety telecommunicators receive the most actionable location information possible.
Featured News
NG9-1-1 Presentation
This slide deck contains talking points on why federal funding is needed for Next Generation 9-1-1. We’re making it available for public safety communications professionals to use as a resource in their advocacy efforts.
News Highlights From APCO's Government Relations Office
APCO Provides Comments to Improve Interoperability and Reliability for NG9-1-1 Systems
On August 4, 2025, APCO submitted comments in response to the FCC’s Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on improving interoperability and reliability for NG9-1-1 systems.
APCO First Vice President Jack Varnado Participates in FCC Hurricane Resiliency Roundtable
On July 7, APCO International First Vice President Jack Varnado served as a panelist during the FCC Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau’s Hurricane Season Resiliency Roundtable.
APCO Joins International 5G Standards Meetings to Advance Public Safety Communications
LAPCO took part in international 5G standards meetings held by 3GPP in Prague, Czech Republic to develop technical specifications for the 4.9 GHz spectrum band, an important step towards bringing 5G services to the public safety community in the U.S.
APCO Urges Technical Flexibility in the 4.9 GHz Band to Support 5G Deployments
APCO urged the FCC to amend its technical rules governing the 4.9 GHz band to support the deployment of advanced technologies, such as 5G
Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA) Supports 911 SAVES Act
The Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA) wrote a letter expressing support for legislation that would reclassify the occupation of public safety telecommunicators to give them the recognition they deserve.
APCO Applauds FCC Action Securing the 4.9 GHz Band for Public Safety
Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a long-anticipated Report and Order concerning licensing and use of the 4.9 GHz band.
Policy Priorities
APCO is a recognized and well-respected leader when it comes to legislative and regulatory efforts directed at improving emergency communications, including 9-1-1 services and public safety spectrum use.
9-1-1
APCO is a recognized and well-respected leader when it comes to legislative and regulatory efforts directed at improving 9-1-1 services.
9-1-1 Location Accuracy
APCO has advocated for sensible improvements aimed at ensuring that ECCs receive actionable location information.
4.9 GHz Spectrum
APCO advocates that public safety use of this spectrum band should be optimized in a manner that promotes innovation, helps modernize public safety communications and enables 5G services.
6 GHz
APCO advocates that sharing the 6GHz band with large numbers of unlicensed devices should only occur if appropriate measures are in place to prevent, identify and eliminate interference to public safety’s systems.
Public Safety Telecommunicator Job Reclassification
APCO continues its work to reclassify public safety telecommunicators as a “protective service” occupation to accurately reflect their life-saving role.
