The annual FCC update provided attendees with the latest information on federal actions impacting public safety communications. Representatives from the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau — from both the Policy and Licensing Division and the Cybersecurity and Communications Reliability Division — shared updates on key rulemakings and initiatives affecting public safety communications.
APCO 2025: First General Business Session
PCO 2025 attendees on Sunday heard about goals of the second vice president candidate, they considered an amendment to the association policy manual, and the new chief counsel laid out governmental strides for public safety communications.
APCO Welcomes Legislation to Help Provide Health and Wellness Resources for 9-1-1 Professionals
On March 17, the Providing Resources and Occupational Training for Emotional Crisis and Trauma in 911 Act, or the ‘‘PROTECT 9-1-1 Act,” was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. 9-1-1 professionals routinely face significant trauma as they work tirelessly to protect and save lives.
Congress Recognizes National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
Bipartisan resolutions were introduced in the House and Senate in April to support the goals and ideals of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.
APCO International Guidance on Requesting 9-1-1 Traffic in IP-Based Format
On March 25, 2025, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that 9-1-1 authorities can make requests to originating service providers (OSPs) to begin the process of delivering 9-1-1 traffic in IP-based format to delivery points designated by the 9-1-1 authority. This document informs APCO members of the FCC requirements regarding these requests and provides guidance […]
APCO Welcomes Reintroduction of Senate Bill to Reclassify Public Safety Telecommunicators and Improve Emergency Communications
On February 25, Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) reintroduced the Enhancing First Response Act, a bipartisan, zero-cost bill that would fix the federal classification of 9-1-1 professionals, improve the information shared during 9-1-1 outages and examine enhancements for 9-1-1 calls made from multi-line telephone systems.
Reclassification Update: U.S. House of Representatives Reintroduces Original 9-1-1 SAVES Act
Earlier this month, Congresswoman Norma Torres (D-CA) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), joined by several cosponsors, reintroduced the 9-1-1 SAVES Act (H.R. 637), correcting an amended version of the legislation that was introduced earlier this year.
APCO Congratulates Newly-Confirmed Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick
APCO extends its congratulations to Howard Lutnick on his confirmation as the United States Secretary of Commerce. Mr. Lutnick’s leadership and extensive experience in both the public and private sectors will be instrumental in driving economic growth, fostering innovation and enhancing critical infrastructure that benefits public safety.
APCO Welcomes Introduction of Legislation to Help Modernize 9-1-1 Centers in National Parks
On January 29, Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Angus King (I-ME) introduced the Making National Parks Safer Act, a bill that directs the Department of the Interior to develop a plan for upgrading emergency communications centers (ECCs) managed by the National Park System to NG9-1-1.
U.S. House of Representatives Reintroduces the 9-1-1 SAVES Act
On January 16, Congresswoman Norma Torres (D-CA) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) reintroduced the 9-1-1 SAVES Act in a step toward correcting the classification of public safety telecommunicators in the Standard Occupational Classification.
APCO, NASNA and NENA Push for Improvements to 9-1-1 Outage Notifications
On January 7 APCO, NASNA and NENA jointly filed an ex parte with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging the agency to improve the rules for 9-1-1 outage notifications to emergency communications centers (ECCs).
APCO CTO Appointed to US Department of Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee
The Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo recently appointed APCO International Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Steve Devine as a member of the US Department of Commerce’s Spectrum Management Advisory Committee (CSMAC). Devine brings 40 years of experience in public safety communications spanning from spectrum management, dispatch operations and Project 25 technologies.
FCC Announces Deadline for 4.9 GHz Licensees to Update Licensing Data
On December 9, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a Public Notice announcing that all 4.9 GHz public safety licensees must update their granular licensing data in the Universal Licensing System (ULS) by June 9, 2025.
APCO Offers Recommendations on Multilingual WEA Templates for 9-1-1 Outages
On November 12, APCO met with representatives from the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau to discuss proposed templates to translate Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) into multiple languages.
APCO Presses FCC for Improvements to Wireless 9-1-1 Location Accuracy and 9-1-1 Interoperability
On October 31, APCO staff met with Carmen Scurato, Legal Advisor for FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel, to discuss the need for FCC action to improve the location information provided with wireless 9-1-1 calls made indoors and to ensure interoperability among 9-1-1 service providers.
Advocacy Listening Session: Your Voice, Our Focus
APCO’s Government Relations team led an interactive session which included an overview of some of APCO’s top advocacy priorities and an opportunity to hear feedback from the membership on those priorities.
Connect With APCO’s Government Relations Team at APCO 2024
APCO’s Annual Conference & Expo provides a great opportunity for our government relations team to connect face-to-face with the membership, provide updates on our advocacy efforts and learn more about the issues facing the 9-1-1 community.
