When most of the world sleeps, overnight telecommunicators make critical decisions with fewer resources, less visibility and little recognition for the unique challenges they face.
APCO International Announces 2026 Award Winners
APCO International is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 Emergency Communications Center Awards and Technology Leadership Awards. The winners will be recognized during the Opening General Session at APCO 2026, APCO’s Annual Conference & Expo, taking place August 2-5 in San Antonio, Texas.
APCO and Vasana Partner to Bring Wellness Tools to APCO Members
APCO International is excited to announce a new partnership with Vasana, Inc., a leader in science-backed human performance and well-being. This partnership will give APCO members access to the Vasana platform, an AI‑powered behavioral health and performance platform that supports first responders, public safety teams and high‑pressure operational environments with diagnostics, analytics and personalized resilience tools such as guided breathing, grounding and visualization practices, all structured to support real-time regulation and recovery.
Young Professional Spotlight: Christie Nash, Hamilton County Emergency Communications District (Tenn.)
In today’s ever-evolving world of emergency communications, the voices behind the headset often go unheard. This spotlight highlights Christie Nash, a dedicated telecommunicator whose journey into public safety reflects both resilience and a deep commitment to her community.
APCO International Announces Christi Lower as Director for APCO Institute
Dr. Christi Lower, PhD, CAE, recently joined APCO International as director for the APCO Institute. Dr. Lower has 15 years of experience leading high-profile and large-scale education and workforce initiatives in the nonprofit and public sectors.
House Advances Public Safety Communications Bills, Including the FirstNet Reauthorization Act
The House of Representatives advanced several public safety communications bills this week. APCO commends the House of Representatives for advancing these important public safety communications bills and looks forward to working with the Senate toward final enactment.
APCO International Announces Congressman Neal Dunn, M.D., as a 2026 9-1-1 Impact Awards Recipient
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International is pleased to announce Congressman Neal Dunn, M.D., as a recipient of the 2026 9-1-1 Impact Awards. Congressman Dunn, along with his fellow 2026 9-1-1 Impact Award recipients, exemplifies a strong commitment to advancing public safety communications.
APCO Applauds Introduction of Additional Next Generation 9-1-1 Legislation
On March 11, Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ted Budd (R-NC) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced the Next Generation 9-1-1 Act in the U.S. Senate. APCO International celebrates the introduction of another bipartisan effort to strengthen the nation’s commitment to modern, resilient emergency communications.
Young Professional Spotlight: Katherine Rogers, Williamson County Department of Emergency Communications (Tenn.)
Katherine Rogers didn’t enter public safety as a stepping stone to something else. From the very beginning, she knew exactly where she wanted to be: behind the headset.
APCO Announces Final Approval and Publication of Two Training Standards
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International is proud to announce final approval of APCO ANS 3.106.3-2026 Core Competencies and Minimum Training Standards for Public Safety Communications Quality Assurance Evaluators (QAE) on January 20 and APCO ANS 3.104.3-2026 Core Competencies and Minimum Training Standards for Public Safety Communications Training Coordinator on January 27.
APCO Hosts Wellness & Workforce Summit
On February 18-19, 2026, APCO hosted the Wellness & Workforce Summit, an event that built on previous wellness and staffing summits to advance the conversation around workforce sustainability in public safety communications. Over 175 attendees gathered for two full days of education, emotional discussions, technology demonstrations and collaboration.
APCO International Announces Recipients of the 9-1-1 Impact Awards
APCO International announces the recipients of the 2026 9-1-1 Impact Awards, who will be honored during an awards reception in Washington, D.C. The 9-1-1 Impact Awards provide a unique opportunity to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to public safety communications while celebrating the collective achievements of our community.
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.”
Silent Key: Bernard Joseph “Buster” Brown
Bernard Joseph “Buster” Brown, a dedicated APCO member of Estill Springs, Tennessee, passed away January 15. Brown, the assistant director of the Rutherford County (Tennessee) Emergency Communications District in Murfreesboro, was an APCO member for 20 years.
From Fire Telegraph to Internet Protocol Alerts: The Evolution of Fire Station Alerting Systems
The lineage of fire station alerting traces a remarkable arc, from the copper wires of the fire telegraph to fiber optics and cloud servers. Yet the mission has not changed: deliver critical information clearly, reliably and instantly.
APCO International, EMDRIA and NENA Partner on New EMDR Course Targeting Public Safety Communications Professionals
APCO International has partnered with the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) and NENA to develop a course for EMDR therapists specifically focused on 9-1-1 professionals.
Young Professional Spotlight: Erin Jillson, Nashoba Valley Regional Emergency Communications Center (Mass.)
For Erin Jillson, emergency dispatching isn’t just a job, rather it is a career built on responsibility, teamwork and quiet impact.
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.”
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 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 Announces the Final Approval and Publication of Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement Program Standard
APCO/NENA ANS 1.107.2-2025 was developed by APCO International in conjunction with the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) through APCO’s ANSI-accredited standards development process, bringing together subject matter experts from across the public safety communications field.
Finding a Voice
It is just over an hour and a half into a Saturday shift at Allen Communications in the Allen, Texas, Police Department when a voice comes over the main police channel: “I think we got shots fired at the outlet mall.”
APCO Announces Final Approval and Publication of Minimum Training Standards for Public Safety Telecommunicators (PST)
APCO International is proud to announce final approval of APCO ANS 3.103.3-2025 Minimum Training Standards for Public Safety Telecommunicators on October 31.
APCO Seeks Working Group Members to Assist With the Development of New AI Standard
Today at the APCO AI Summit, APCO International announced the creation of a new operational standard titled Best Practices for Artificial Intelligence Integration into the Emergency Communications Center (ECC).
Leading With Transparency
Cyberattacks on 9-1-1 centers are no longer rare events — they’re becoming an unfortunate reality. In a single breach, dispatch operations can be paralyzed and confidential personnel data exposed. ECCs must be prepared not only to respond technically but also to communicate clearly, calm public fear and protect the people behind the consoles.
