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 Hails Senate Passage of the Enhancing First Response Act
APCO applauds the toric passage of the Enhancing First Response Act (S.725) by the U.S. Senate. This legislation directs the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to reclassify public safety telecommunicators as “protective service” occupations in the federal government’s catalog of occupations, the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC), correcting their current miscategorization as “administrative/clerical” workers and recognizing the lifesaving nature of their work. This is the first time that reclassification legislation has passed a chamber of Congress.
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 Joins Public Safety Leaders to Champion FirstNet Reauthorization
APCO International joined leaders from the nation’s most prominent public safety organizations to urge lawmakers on Capitol Hill to swiftly and permanently reauthorize the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) before its legislative sunset in February 2027.
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 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. APCO emphasized that “dispatchable location” – meaning the caller’s street address plus their office, apartment or room […]
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
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.
