Artificial Intelligence in Emergency Communications
AI is a hot-button topic in public safety, and APCO is at the forefront of exploring the impact of this new technology on public safety communications. In October, APCO kicked off a three-pronged approach to examining how AI is transforming emergency communications, holding its first AI Summit, announcing a partnership with iCERT to examine AI implementation in public safety, and initiating work on an AI standard for public safety communications.
APCO and iCERT Come Together to Promote AI in Emergency Response
At the APCO AI Summit, APCO International announced a new partnership with the Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies (iCERT) to launch a new program to promote the responsible implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in emergency response and public safety communications systems. The collaboration will bring together APCO’s membership and iCERT’s technology partners to drive innovation, address challenges and strengthen the systems that protect our communities every day.
Sign Up to Participate
The program between APCO International and iCERT will culminate in the publication of a final report in 2027. If you are interested in supporting this program by lending your time and expertise, please indicate your interest in a working group. Sign-up ends January 30.
APCO Forms Working Group to Develop New AI Standard
APCO International recently announced the creation of a new operational standard titled Best Practices for Artificial Intelligence Integration into the Emergency Communications Center (ECC). APCO formed a working group for the standard, which will provide best practices for ECCs to implement artificial intelligence (AI). It will discuss various integrations and outline both operational and training aspects, including considerations for the following topics: alleviating ECC challenges, training, cybersecurity, ethical and legal considerations, mental health support for public safety telecommunicators (PSTs), and implementation considerations.
Note: The AI standard working group has reached capacity.
AI News From PSC
Artificial Intelligence Integration in 9-1-1 Centers
Jeremy Hill of the NTIA led a compelling panel discussion on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in 9-1-1 centers, sharing insights from a yearlong NTIA project, which conducted a comprehensive cross-country analysis to document the transformative impact AI is already having on public safety communications.
AI – Let’s Talk a Bot it!
This Think Tank session provided an overview of how AI voice/chat bots work, foundational concepts of conversational design and bot training tools, and ideas for applications in your operations workflows.
The Double-Edged Sword of AI in Emergency Communications
Attendees examined how AI can both strengthen and challenge cybersecurity efforts within emergency communications centers (ECCs).
Break Point
A telecommunicator emerges from personal and professional tragedy
determined to give colleagues’ mental health challenges a voice.
APCO Hosts a Public Safety Communications Event With PSBTA
On March 18-19, APCO International hosted a special event with the Public Safety Broadband Technology Association (PSBTA) in Washington, DC that focused on public safety’s use of 4.9 GHz and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Attendees gathered to discuss innovations and evolutions in public safety communications technologies, and they heard from speakers in the public safety communications industry from the emergency communications centers (ECCs) themselves to industry partners.
Artificial Intelligence for Training
APCO Adjunct Instructor Charles Vitale, from Rochester, NY, captivated his audience in this session by demonstrating how useful AI can be in an ECC training program, noting especially how artificial intelligence can help a trainer or manager who is suffering from a lack of time to accomplish tasks due to reduced staffing.
The Expanded Emergency Response Ecosystem
Representatives from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) led a session on the Expanded Emergency Response Ecosystem, which highlighted the comprehensive vision of next generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) and how emergency communications centers (ECCs) can benefit from this vision.
Chatbot 9-1-1
One technology being considered is chatbots — or bots — for non-emergency calls and for assistance during significant events.
