Tag: committees

Health and Wellness

Public safety telecommunicators are devoted to assisting others every day, whether it be to help guide them through personal crisis, deal with life threatening situations, answer questions or assure them help is available. It is essential that telecommunicators take good care of themselves so they are able to better handle challenges and mitigate the impact of shift work and stress.

Studies show there may be negative health effects from shift work, stress, lack of exercise or poor eating habits. The resources in this section may help individuals recognize signs of possible trouble and be proactive about building positive habits and striving for good mental and physical health. These resources may be adopted by an individual or used to motivate a shift or agency to challenge themselves to work toward optimum health as a group.

Diet and Exercise

Night Shift

General Health

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Specific to Telecommunicators

Recognizing and Mitigating Stress

Specific to Telecommunicators

Legislative Resources

Legislation targeting mandatory training, certification, adequate funding and retirement benefits ensures that the profession of public safety communications meets defined standards and the high-level expectations of the public. Even though there are similarities, each state has a unique legislative process. The route can be daunting. Protocols must be followed and deadlines must be met. “Learning the ropes” takes time and effort. Seek the advice of those who have experience in your area. Establishing relationships and partnering with all disciplines of public safety strengthens our position and resolve. Each mandate involves some funding, and most cities, counties and states struggle with limited budgets. Clear purpose and justification are required to convince legislators to support legislation and allocate funds.

Sample Legislation

What Does Success Look Like?

Justification/Position Papers

National Advocacy

Law Enforcement Associations
Fire Associations
EMS Associations
Benevolent Associations
Fraternal Associations
Unions
Other

Personnel & Recognition

The “Human Factor”, whether referring to hiring, retention or recognition, presents an extreme challenge to a highly skilled workforce with mission critical outcomes. The resources in this section can help you meet these challenges by identifying different ways to address staffing through recruitment/hiring practices, training, health impact awareness and mitigation, turnover and other human factors identified within public safety communications.

Recruitment

Staffing

Recognition

Training, Certification & Standards

Pursuing mandatory minimum training standards and certification will achieve recognition that public safety communications has come of age and is identified as a mission critical core component of the nation’s public safety services.  Through expectations of higher levels of competency, the outcome assures the quality of public service each and every time an emergency occurs.

Promoting Professional Training and Certification

State Mandates – Certification & Training

Resources

Public Safety Communications Resources

The reports and studies in this section contain of a wealth of detail and documentation to support initiatives to further the goals for an agency, chapter or individual. Testaments of those performing this work every day corroborate the conclusions of the studies, reports and articles along with comparisons to other strictly regulated careers such as air traffic controllers who are also held to a high standard of competency.

Reports & Studies

Toolbox Setup Samples

Testimonials

Other Resources

Public Education & Media Relations

Seeking opportunities to celebrate our profession within our workplace as well as educating our communities will further our goals of achieving recognition for the critical role telecommunications plays in public safety. Enhancing relationships with our law enforcement, fire service and EMS partners will help reinforce that telecommunicators are the true first responders. Building effective relationships with the media will help further educate the public and highlight the positive work that is accomplished every day. Reaching out through citizen academies or tours; connecting with and educating elected officials; and working with children in local schools are among the efforts that will help put a face to 9-1-1.

Public Education Ideas

Tools

Press Releases

Media

Commercial Advisory Council Nominations

If you are a motivated and engaged APCO Commercial Member and want to help make the Association even better, we encourage you to become involved in the CAC. Nominations will be accepted through June 16, 2023.

Service on the CAC is a four-year term, and each year nominations and elections are held to fill open positions.

Not sure if it’s right for you?  The Associate Membership option,  a non-voting, one-year term, provides a taste of CAC membership without the four year commitment.

Nomination Process

To nominate yourself or another, complete the nomination form below or email the following information to [email protected].

  • Your name and contact information (phone, email, and USPS mail address)
  • The name of your company AND the name of any parent company. CAC rules require that only two members of any company or subsidiary may serve on the CAC at any given time.
  • Your APCO membership number and the APCO chapter(s) in which you hold membership.
  • A general description of your interest in serving on the CAC and how your participation would help broaden or strengthen the CAC.
  • A letter from your local chapter recommending you for service on the CAC. (optional)

You may also nominate yourself at the CAC Annual Meeting at the APCO Annual Conference & Expo.

CAC Nominations Form

  • Describe your interest in serving on the CAC and how your participation would help broaden or strengthen the committee.

Election

The Nominations Committee will review the background, industry segment and geographical area of the nominees and recommend a slate of nominees to the CAC by July 5, 2023. The Council will vote on nominees at the annual CAC Meeting, August 9, 2023, in Nashville.