On the final day of APCO 2025, the Food for Thought Luncheon in the Baltimore Convention Center hosted more than 1,000 public safety communications professionals. Attendees on Wednesday, July 30, recognized agencies that earned APCO accreditation; heard about Baltimore’s advances in public safety communications and about APCO 2026’s San Antonio destination; and were inspired by the founder of Because I Said I would, a mental health resiliency charity based on keeping promises.
APCO 2025 Heads to Baltimore
July 27-30 is going to be special in Charm City this year when APCO 2025 comes to Baltimore. It will be the third time in the 21st century that the APCO Conference & Expo has visited Baltimore, and it gives attendees easy access to the heart of the city.
Invest in Our Best
How do we maintain? How do we keep pushing forward? How do we make sure those who stay are uplifted or given opportunities to do something different? How do we make sure our centers are maintained and represented by the best and brightest?
Young Professional Spotlight: Iris Harris, Lincoln County E9-1-1 (Okla.)
Since May 2017, Iris has been answering the call — literally. What started as a job to support her through school quickly became a career she couldn’t walk away from.
Silent Key: T. G. Mieure
APCO Life Member and long-time Illinois police and communications officer T. G. Mieure of Waukegan passed away on June 17 at the age of 71.
Mieure was a pillar of Illinois APCO for decades and a respected voice in the international APCO community.
APCO Provides Recommendations to the FCC for Improving 9-1-1 Location Accuracy
On June 6, APCO submitted comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with recommendations for how the agency can strengthen its wireless 9-1-1 location accuracy rules so that public safety telecommunicators receive the most actionable location information possible.
Coalition Urges Senate to Fund Nationwide 9-1-1 Upgrade in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
A coalition representing state and local government leaders, industry professionals, and tens of thousands of 9-1-1 first responders sent a letter to members of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee urging federal investment in Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) technology to replace outdated emergency communications infrastructure across the country.
APCO Unveils Newly Designed Walk of Heroes
APCO staff and the Board of Directors gathered at APCO Headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida, to unveil the new walkway and water fountain feature.
APCO International Announces 2025 Award Winners
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.
