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.
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.
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 Location Accuracy
APCO has advocated for sensible improvements aimed at ensuring that ECCs receive actionable location information.
4.9 GHz
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.
News from APCO's Government Relations Office
AT&T Takes Next Steps to Discontinue Traditional Landline Services
AT&T is seeking approval from the FCC to discontinue traditional copper-based landline service in several states as it continues its transition to IP-based and wireless technologies.
FCC Seeks Public Safety Input on May 2025 Cellcom Outage
The FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau is seeking input from public safety agencies, government entities, and the public on the impacts of a service outage in Wisconsin and Michigan experienced by Cellcom in May 2025
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 […]
Public Safety Leaders Urge Senate to Fund Nationwide 9-1-1 Upgrade in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Today, a coalition representing state and local government leaders, industry professionals, and tens of thousands of 9-1-1 first responders sent a letter to members of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee urging federal investment in Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) technology to replace outdated emergency communications infrastructure across the country.
APCO Urges Technical Flexibility in the 4.9 GHz Band to Support 5G Deployments
On May 12, APCO submitted a filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging the agency to amend its technical rules governing the 4.9 GHz band to support the deployment of advanced technologies, such as 5G
