Alexandria, VA – The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International is proud to announce final approval of APCO ANS 2.108.1-2026 700 MHz Deployable Public Safety Trunking Systems, APCO ANS 3.102.3-2026 Core Competencies and Minimum Training Standards for Emergency Communications Center (ECC) Supervisors, both on June 26, and APCO ANS 3.101.4-2026 Core Competencies and Minimum Training Standards for Public Safety Communications Training Officer (CTO) on July 27.
Nationwide interoperability is a key objective in the deployment of trunked radio systems in the 700 MHz public safety frequency band. This standard provides the information necessary to allow system operators and administrators to configure these deployable systems in a consistent and predictable manner.
Additionally, the revision of the ECC supervisor standard acknowledges that this role is one of the most important and influential within any public safety communications agency, one that serves as a critical link in personnel development and operational management. ECC supervisors are typically tasked with maintaining appropriate staffing levels, enforcing agency policies and procedures, and providing direction and supervision to employees. Providing clear, comprehensive training guidelines can help ECC supervisors handle the high-stress nature of their work.
Finally, the new edition of the CTO standard promotes a consistent, structured approach to training telecommunicators, aligning with federal, state, local, tribal and departmental regulations while advancing CTO professional development. The CTO standard recognizes the critical importance of the training officer role within an ECC. To be effective, they must demonstrate technical proficiency, leadership and instructional skills while upholding ethical and operational integrity.
“These publications are a testament to the dedication of the emergency communications professionals who gave their time and expertise to this process,” said Jack Varnado, president of APCO International, “By grounding these standards in the real-world experience of public safety professionals, APCO has delivered resources that are not just current — they are practical, meaningful and built by the people who live this work every day.”
The standards indicated above were developed through APCO’s rigorous standards development process, drawing directly on the expertise of high-performing incumbents who know these roles best. Together, they provide agencies with forward-looking, field-informed resources for building and sustaining adequate systems and a workforce committed to the highest standards of service to the communities they protect.
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APCO International is the world’s oldest and largest organization of public safety communications professionals and supports the largest U.S. membership base of any public safety association. It serves the needs of public safety communications practitioners worldwide – and the welfare of the general public – by providing complete expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy, and outreach.
