U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) have introduced the Lifeline for First Responders Act (S.4819), bipartisan legislation to better support the mental health needs of firefighters, EMS personnel, and emergency dispatchers.
Federal Agencies Take Steps to Promote State and Local Drone Defense
On July 1-2, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and Federal Communications Commission took steps to establish a framework for state, local, Tribal, and territorial (SLTT) law enforcement and correctional agencies to obtain and use capabilities to defend against hostile drones.
APCO Applauds FCC Actions to Modernize 9-1-1 Reliability Requirements and Improve Emergency Alerts
Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted two orders that advance the interests of public safety by modernizing 9-1-1 reliability requirements and strengthening the security of emergency alerting systems.
Federal Communications Commission Will Vote on NG9-1-1 Reliability and Emergency Alerting Measures Next Week
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has announced his proposed agenda for the Commission Meeting scheduled for June 25. Among other items, the FCC commissioners are scheduled to vote on public safety matters of particular importance to APCO members.
The FCC Takes Action to Modernize Disaster Information Reporting System
On May 21, the FCC unanimously adopted measures to modernize its web-based Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS). The FCC uses DIRS to gather information about service disruptions during disasters.
FCC Selects APCO CTO To Participate in Advisory Council
This week, the Federal Communications Commission announced the members of its Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council (CSRIC), including APCO’s Chief Technology Officer Stephen Devine.
House Energy and Commerce Committee Advances FirstNet Reauthorization Act
On March 25, the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously voted to advance the FirstNet Reauthorization Act (H.R. 7386) to the full House of Representatives.
Legislation to Reauthorize the FirstNet Authority Advances in the U.S. House of Representatives
Legislation to reauthorize the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) was introduced in the House of Representatives on February 5 and advanced out of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee to the full Energy and Commerce Committee on February 10.
APCO CEO and Executive Director Mel Maier Testifies in Congress on FirstNet Reauthorization
On January 28, APCO CEO and Executive Director Mel Maier testified before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media at a hearing titled “On the Front Lines of Connectivity: Examining FirstNet’s Role in Public Safety.”
Bills to Support Public Safety Communications Advance in the House of Representatives
On January 21, 2026 the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced the Emergency Reporting Act (H.R. 5200) and the Kari’s Law Report Act (H.R. 5201), bills that will help ensure access to 9-1-1 and improve situational awareness regarding network outages that can affect calls to 9-1-1.
APCO Submits Filing on Cell Signal Jamming
On January 12, 2026, APCO submitted a filing in the Federal Communications Commission’s proceeding on the deployment of cell signal jamming technologies to combat contraband phones in correctional facilities.
APCO President Jack Varnado Testifies in Congress on Needed Improvements to Public Safety Communications
On December 16, APCO President Jack Varnado, testified before the House Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee at a hearing titled “Legislative Improvements to Public Safety Communications in the United States.”
FCC Advances New Enhancements for Wireless Emergency Alerts
On December 18, the Federal Communications Commission set effective dates for new rules enhancing the multilingual capabilities for Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs).
APCO Commends Introduction of Next Generation 9-1-1 Legislation
On December 10, 2025, APCO International welcomed the introduction of the Next Generation 9-1-1 Act in the U.S. House of Representatives to advance the nationwide transition to Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1).
APCO Joins Public Safety Groups in Opposing Requested Rule Changes to the 900 MHz Band
On November 19, 2025, APCO, together with the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the National Sheriffs’ Association submitted a filing in response to NextNav’s request for Federal Communications Commission action to modify the 900 MHz band and a related Notice of Inquiry on the development of positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) technologies and solutions.
APCO Supports Legislation to Study Location Information for 988 Calls
On November 19, 2025, Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) introduced the 988 Lifeline Location Improvement Act, a bill to establish an advisory committee to study the legal, technical, and funding challenges related to transmitting location information with calls to 988.
APCO Supports Updating the Rules on Industrial Signal Boosters
On November 18, 2025, APCO submitted comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on the Safer Buildings Coalition’s request to update the rules for industrial signal boosters.
APCO Offers Recommendations to Modernize Emergency Alerting
On November 18, 2025, APCO filed reply comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on modernizing the nation’s alerting systems.
APCO Expands on Recommendations for FCC Action to Improve Interoperability and Reliability for NG9-1-1 Systems
On September 17, 2025, APCO filed reply comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to its Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on improving interoperability and reliability for NG9-1-1.
