The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Emergency Communications Center Awards and Technology Leadership Awards. The winners will be recognized during the Opening General Session at APCO 2025, APCO’s Annual Conference & Expo, taking place July 27-30 in Baltimore, MD.
Silent Key: Donna Marie Bird
Longtime APCO member Donna Bird passed away after 48 years of distinguished service to Fairfax County’s Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC), helping to shape both the foundation and future of 9-1-1 in the county.
APCO International and Dubai Police Headquarters Enter Into Strategic Partnership
Today at the World Police Summit, APCO International signed a partnership agreement with Dubai Police Headquarters to collaborate on advancing the agency’s role as a respected leader in the public safety communications industry.
Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA) Supports 911 SAVES Act
The Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA) wrote a letter expressing support for legislation that would reclassify the occupation of public safety telecommunicators to give them the recognition they deserve.
Senate Commerce Committee Advances Reclassification Bill; More Work Ahead
On April 30, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation voted to advance the bipartisan Enhancing First Response Act (S.725) to the full Senate for consideration.
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.
Young Professional Spotlight: Ashley Michels, St. Charles City Police Department (Mo.)
Ashley Michels, the Communications Unit Supervisor at the St. Charles City Police Department in Missouri, embodies resilience, adaptability, a deep-seated dedication to serving others and more.
APCO International Announces Nicole McGinnis as New Chief Counsel
APCO International announced this week that Nicole McGinnis has accepted the position of Chief Counsel. Nicole joins APCO after serving the last 10 years in various leadership positions with the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau.
Eye of the Storm
As a public safety telecommunicator in Buncombe County, North Carolina, for more than eight years, I have experienced many critical incidents. But nothing could have prepared me for the catastrophe that the city of Asheville experienced during Hurricane Helene.
APCO Hosts Second 9-1-1 Wellness Summit
On March 2-3, more than 150 attendees gathered for the second 9-1-1 Wellness Summit in Portland, Oregon.
Young Professional Spotlight: Haley Wright, City of Shawnee 9-1-1 (Okla.)
The APCO Young Professionals Committee is proud to announce Haley Wright as the January 2025 Spotlight winner.
The Livestream Leap
For years the 9-1-1 industry has been told that Next Generation 9-1-1 is on the horizon — it is coming soon so get ready. ECCs around the country are adopting technology that brings either livestreaming video into the 9-1-1 center or live 9-1-1 calls into the patrol car.
APCO International Announces Recipients of the 9-1-1 Impact Awards
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International announces the recipients of its inaugural 9-1-1 Impact Awards, who will be honored during an awards reception in Washington, D.C. The 9-1-1 Impact Awards replace the Public Safety Communications Leadership in Policy Awards to encompass a wider range of eligible recipients.
Silent Key: Weldon Joe Blair
Weldon Joe Blair, 88, a life and senior member of APCO, passed away January 4.
Joe was a U.S. Army veteran and worked on classified projects for Collins Radio. He also worked at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. A lifetime member of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), Joe enjoyed meeting and talking to people worldwide as a Ham Radio operator.
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.
Young Professional Spotlight: Kirstie Brokaw, Genesee County 9-1-1 (Mich.)
Meet Kirstie Brokaw, a dedicated 9-1-1 telecommunicator who has been making a difference at Genesee County 9-1-1 for over seven years. Kirstie is a Certified Training Officer (CTO), LEIN TAC, and an active member of the public relations team.
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 International and Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS) Partner to Advance Public Safety Communications Globally
The partnership brings APCO’s industry-leading training to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Alexandria, VA – Today, APCO International entered into a landmark partnership with Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS) to deliver APCO’s industry-leading training to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This strategic partnership goes beyond a traditional training agreement, representing a comprehensive approach […]
Motorola Solutions Foundation Awards $50,000 Grant to APCO International in Support of Professional Development Scholarships
Motorola Solutions Foundation, the charitable arm of Motorola Solutions, has generously awarded a $50,000 grant to the APCO International to support the Commercial Partner Scholarship Program.
APCO Hosts Second 9-1-1 Staffing Crisis Summit
On October 22-24 more than 200 attendees from public safety communications gathered for APCO’s 9-1-1 Staffing Crisis Summit in Fort Worth, Texas. Session topics varied from lessons learned from ECC leaders who have implemented retention strategies to how to prepare your ECC for the next generation 9-1-1 professional.
APCO Applauds FCC Action Securing the 4.9 GHz Band for Public Safety
The 4.9 GHz spectrum band is used by the public safety community for broadband communications. APCO has long played an active role in proceedings at the Federal Communications Commission about the future of this band, strongly advocating for the interests of public safety. We believe that public safety users should have primary, interference-free access to the band, and that public safety use should be optimized in a manner that promotes innovation, helps modernize public safety communications and enables 5G services., the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a long-anticipated Report and Order concerning licensing and use of the 4.9 GHz band.
Young Professional Spotlight: Trae Maeder, Lee County Port Authority (Fla.)
The APCO Young Professionals Committee is proud to announce Trae Maeder as this quarter’s Young Professional Spotlight. Hailing from Florida, Trae has worked in several different roles of 9-1-1 dispatching and contributed his knowledge to multiple committees and organizations over his nine years of service.
Cyber Serious
Global public safety communication systems have increasingly become cyberattack targets and the threat is growing. These cyberattacks can adversely affect citizens who may be cut off from immediate emergency assistance or first responders who may be left without the proper information, communications and support they need to do their jobs and stay safe.
Teammates-in-Action: Britt Whitmire
This date of a notable action by Whitmire given of 2/23/2024 only comes to mind because it is the most recent date that Britt Whitmire worked overtime. That within itself may not sound special or unique.
Teammates-in-Action: Dispatcher Robin Donahue, Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency
On March 14, 2024, Dispatcher Robin Donahue fielded a phone call from a female who was reporting the male she was with was having a mental health crisis.
