Announcements

  • APCO 2024 T-shirt Contest Now Open

    Calling all designers and artists! We want you to create our next conference shirt. Produce an original design that incorporates the host city Orlando and/or the state of Florida, and the spirit of APCO International and emergency communications. Designs will be voted on and the winner’s artwork will be printed on the back of the next APCO conference shirt in Orlando. The deadline to submit is May 6.

  • 2025 Conference Chair Nominations

    APCO is seeking a host committee chairperson for APCO 2025 taking place in Baltimore, MD on July 27-July 30, 2025. We are currently accepting nominations with the following requirements:

    • Nominations must include a letter of interest from the candidate, a letter of support from the candidate’s employer (if the candidate is retired, this item is not required) and letters of recommendation from the candidate’s executive council representative and chapter president. If the candidate is either the executive council representative or president for the Chapter, the candidate will then provide a letter of support from the immediate past president of the chapter or a vice president of the chapter.
    • Only APCO members in the “Full Member” category, who are in good standing, and who represent no commercial interest as defined in the membership policy, shall be eligible to serve as the conference host committee chair.

    Please submit your complete nomination to Patricia Giannini Henry at henryp@apcointl.org. The deadline for submission is May 1, 2024.  

  • [New Webinar] Improving 9-1-1 Staff Performance & Retention

    Improving 9-1-1 Staff Performance & Retention: Why Targeted Quality Assurance is Essential
    May 22 | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. ET
    Free for members; $59 for non-members | 1 CDE
    Sponsored by NICE

    Attend this webinar to learn:

    • Best practices from several accomplished 9-1-1 directors that you can put into practice to close the revolving door
    • Tips for automating everyday manual tasks so supervisors can get more time back in their day to mentor, coach and support staff
    • Why a consistent, targeted Quality Assurance & Improvement (QA/QI) program is essential to helping telecommunicators succeed, and stay on the job
    • How to leverage targeted QA reviews, and call handling and dispatch performance metrics to uncover coachable moments, performance issues, training gaps and recognition opportunities, and help telecommunicators before they slide too far down the slippery slope
  • NPSTW Contest Reminder

    If you haven't already, take some time to enter our NPSTW contest to win $100 for your ECC! Tell us about the movie that represents your center.

    Check out the entries we have received so far and vote on your favorites.

  • Join an APCO Standards Working Group

    APCO is seeking participants to create a Minimum Technical Requirements for Remote Support to Emergency Communications Center Operations standard. This ANS will define the minimum requirements used in an emergency evacuation situation or a stay-at-home order where separated operation and administrative staff are required. The deadline to sign up is April 1.

  • APCO Seeks Volunteers for Standards Revisions

    APCO seeks volunteers for the revision of the following two standards:

    • Core Competencies and Minimum Training Standards for Public Safety Communications Instructor. The revision seeks to identify the fundamental skills and minimum training prerequisites for those tasked with instructing personnel in the emergency communications center (ECC). Learn more
    • Core Competencies and Minimum Training Standards for Public Safety Communications Quality Assurance Evaluators. This revision seeks to identify the fundamental skills and minimum training prerequisites for those tasked with evaluating the quality of work performed by an ECC. Learn more

    The deadline to participate for both standards is March 24.

  • NPSTW 2024 Contest

    The contest for NPSTW 2024 (April 14-20) is now open! For this year’s contest, we’re asking you to name the movie for your comm center and give us a plot summary, then let us know why you chose it. In place of trailers, send us a picture of your team. The deadline to submit is April 22.

  • CPE Scholarships Close 1 Week

    The deadline for APCO CPE Scholarships is just one week away. If you are looking for financial assistance to participate in APCO’s Certified Public-Safety Executive Program, complete your application by February 15.

  • One Week Until Wellness Summit

    The 9-1-1 Wellness Summit is just one week away! There's still time to register and join us on February 6 in Atlanta. 

  • Limited Seats Available: Cybersecurity Fundamentals for the ECC in the APCO Virtual Classroom

    February 13 | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. ET

    Join this course designed by cybersecurity experts and ECC professionals to gain essential knowledge on how cyberattacks impact ECCs. Explore the anatomy of cyberattacks, identify signs of ongoing attacks and master mitigation techniques. The curriculum also covers preparation for ECCs for cyber threats, effective response strategies, and safeguarding critical data for post-attack forensics. $288 for APCO members; $332 for non-members. Worth 8 CDEs. Registration closes soon.

  • Introducing Student & Educator Membership

    We are excited to announce a new membership category for students and educators. This new membership category is intended to increase an interested student’s exposure to the public safety communications industry through APCO membership benefits, training and events. Help us spread the word and share this with your partners.

  • 9-1-1 Wellness Summit Is 4 Weeks Away!

    Register now to join us for the inaugural 9-1-1 Wellness Summit, taking place February 6 in Atlanta, GA.

    Gain valuable insights into stress and trauma management at the 9-1-1 Wellness Summit. Learn how these factors impact you and your team while acquiring practical tools to maintain optimal well-being. Our expert instructors will equip you with strategies to mitigate stress and trauma, allowing you to better save lives and live well.

  • Nominations Open for ECC and Technology Leadership Awards

    APCO's ECC awards recognize public safety communications personnel who have demonstrated the highest levels of personal and professional conduct and performance in the line of duty. Technology Leadership awards recognize centers for their use of technological advancements and the demonstrated benefit received to their employees and the citizens they serve. Nominations close April 1.

  • Scholarships Are Now Open!

    One of the many benefits of APCO membership is the opportunity to participate in the scholarship program. If selected you may use the funds for professional development and career advancement including all APCO Institute courses and leadership programs.
     
    Scholarship application deadlines: 
    • February 15 - CPE Program scholarships 
    • March 1 - RPL Program scholarships 
    • April 1 - General scholarships 
  • Happy Holidays!

    Happy to holidays to you and yours from everyone at APCO.

  • Standards Open for Review & Comment

    APCO seeks comments for two candidate American National Standards:

    • Public Safety Communications Incident Handling Process
    • Non-9-1-1 Call Processing and Dispatch

    The comment period is open from December 15 - January 29.

  • Call for Speakers Closes Next Week

    The deadline to submit a proposal for the APCO 2024 call for speakers is quickly approaching. Apply by 11:59 p.m. ET on December 13 to be considered for a one-hour presentation within our professional development program.

  • PSConnect Maintenance Wednesday, December 6

    Please anticipate a brief downtime between 8pm to 9pm ET (5-6pm PT) while infrastructure maintenance is performed on PSConnect Wednesday, December 6. We apologize for the disruption and appreciate your patience.

  • November/December 2023 PSC Magazine

    The latest edition of PSC magazine is out. Key articles include:

    • Back on Track: Responding to derailments
    • Refuge From Disorder: The realities of evacuation in response to civil disturbances
    • Death Wish: How PSTs can recognize and respond when criminal subjects want police to end their life.

    PSC magazine, in either print or digital form, is a benefit of APCO membership.

  • Happy Thanksgiving!

    We are thankful for each and every one of our members and all you do for your communities. Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at APCO!

  • Ask your U.S. Representatives to Co-Sponsor the 9-1-1 SAVES Act

    APCO is launching a grassroots advocacy campaign and needs your support. 

    For several years, APCO has sought to correct the federal classification of 9-1-1 professionals by reclassifying them as Protective Service Occupations as opposed to Office and Administrative Support Occupations. Now, momentum is building in the House for a simple legislative fix with the reintroduction of the 9-1-1 SAVES Act (H.R. 6319). APCO is seeking the assistance of its members and others. We’re asking you to TAKE ACTION - Ask your U.S. Representatives to co-sponsor the 9-1-1 SAVES Act.

    TAKE ACTION and use APCO’s advocacy portal to send a letter asking for support to get this bill through the House, and please share the link widely with colleagues: https://www.apcointl.org/advocacy/take-action/

    For more information, visit APCO’s reclassification page: https://apcointl.org/soc.

  • Latest Issue of PSC Magazine Just Hit the Stands!

    Articles featured in this issue:

    • Responding to derailments depends on rail company cooperation and cracking the coded language of trains.
    • Akron, Ohio, ECC personnel learned the realities of evacuation in response to civil disturbances.
    • How public safety telecommunicators can recognize and respond when criminal subjects want police to end their life.

    PSC magazine is a member benefit. Interested in joining? Learn more

  • Registration Now Open for New APCO Wellness Event!

    Registration is now open for APCO’s new event, the 9-1-1 Wellness Summit! Join us February 6 in Atlanta, GA, for strategies and tools to mitigate stress and trauma, allowing you to better save lives and live well. 

  • Post Your Jobs in APCO's Career Center

    Post your job openings in APCO's Career Center and connect with thousands of qualified applicants within public safety communications.

    APCO members receive a discount on job postings. 

  • APCO 2024 Call for Speakers Is Now Open

    We are looking for innovative, engaging, inspiring and informative individuals to speak at APCO 2024, taking place August 4-7 in Orlando, Florida. Submit your application for a one-hour presentation in one of our ten professional development tracks.

    The deadline to submit is December 13 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

  • NEW COURSE: Fundamentals of NG9-1-1

    October 31 - November 1
    Worth 16 CDEs

    This course explores technologies in a comprehensive, end-to-end way that aligns with the emerging consensus reached by the nation’s leading organizations in the field. Among the key concepts included in the course are the important role of interoperability in the success of NG9-1-1, the need for reliability, redundancy, and cybersecurity, and the new opportunities next generation technologies will offer ECCs to enhance their operations.

  • New Dates! Cybersecurity Training for ECCs

    This October, APCO offers comprehensive cybersecurity training developed specifically for emergency communications centers.  The courses are conducted by cybersecurity experts and industry professionals on the issues and solutions for cybersecurity threats to your agency and specific training on how to safeguard your emergency communications center.  The two courses are on-site in Daytona Beach, Florida, at APCO headquarters. Register to reserve your seat now. 

    Course 1:
    Cybersecurity Fundamentals for the ECC

    Date: October 24 | Worth 8 CDEs

    Course 2:

    Intermediate Cybersecurity Principles for the ECC

    Dates: October 25 - 26 | Worth 16 CDEs

  • Webinar: Considering the Cloud? 5 Reasons It May Be Right for Your Agency

    September 20  |  1:00 p.m. ET
    Free for members | Worth 1 CDE

    Cloud adoption is on the rise in emergency communications centers across the U.S., but is it right for your agency?

    In this webinar, Leah Hornacek, Hexagon sales manager and former 9-1-1 deputy director, will share the benefits of moving to the cloud to help you determine if it’s the right approach for your agency.

    Sponsored by Hexagon

  • Vote for Your Leadership

    Eligible members may vote online or at the APCO 2023 voting booth until Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at 2:15 p.m. Central Time. Results will be announced at APCO 2023 during the second general business session, Tuesday, August 8, at 4:15 p.m. Central Time.

  • APCO Forms New ECC Staffing Taskforce

    APCO is happy to announce the creation of the ECC Staffing Taskforce to study and make recommendations on effective recruiting, hiring, training and retention of public safety telecommunicators in both current ECCs and in the Next Generation 9-1-1 environment. We are accepting applications for volunteers now through July 27. Participation in the task force is open to members in any membership category.

  • APCO 2023 Early Bird Closes July 14

    Save $100 on conference registration with the early bird rate – ends on July 14. And don’t forget as a member you receive a $200 discount on registration rates. If you haven’t yet booked your hotel, don’t wait since housing closes July 14 as well.


    We look forward to seeing you in Nashville August 6-9!

  • A Few Seats Remain: Cybersecurity Fundamentals for the ECC

    August 5, 2023 | 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

    This course is built on the experiences of public safety cybersecurity experts and ECC professionals. This course will provide ECC professionals with foundational knowledge of cyberattacks, including the anatomy of a cyberattack, signs of an ongoing cyberattack and mitigation techniques. This includes preparing for cyberattacks, response to those attacks and the type of data to protect for post-attack forensics.

  • Pre-order Your APCO 2023 T-shirt

    Congratulations to Shante Lipscomb, communications manager for North Carolina A&T State University Police Department, for winning our T-shirt design contest! 

    Pre-order your APCO 2023 conference T-shirt now through July 7.

  • APCO International Announces 2023 Award Winners

    APCO is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 Public Safety Communications Awards and Technology Leadership Awards. The winners will be recognized during the Opening General Session at APCO 2023, APCO’s Annual Conference & Expo, taking place August 6-9 in Nashville, TN.

  • Webinar Wednesday: The State of 9‑1‑1 Staff Performance and Retention

    May 24 | 1:00 p.m. ET
    Worth 1 CDE. Free for APCO members

    Is your 9-1-1 center struggling with staff performance and retention? You’re not alone. Issues like these are putting a strain on 9-1-1 centers everywhere, and there are many contributing factors. NICE’s recent benchmark study on the current State of 9-1-1 Staff Performance and Retention pulls back the covers to examine why 9-1-1 telecommunicators are leaving and best practices you can put into practice to close the revolving door to do more with less.

  • Vote for the APCO 2023 T-shirt!

    The finalists have been selected and now it's time to pick your favorite T-shirt for APCO 2023! Voting ends on May 23.

  • CPE Class 15: Deadline to Apply Is May 15

    APCO is accepting applications for the next class of Certified Public-Safety Executives (CPEs) - APCO's renowned leadership program. The program consists of two 12-week online courses and one 10-day capstone course at APCO headquarters. Deadline is May 15.

  • Staffing Crisis Summit - Still Time to Register

    May 17-18 | Herndon, VA
    Join public safety professionals, state and local government leaders and innovative companies from the private sector to explore ways to improve retention, innovate recruiting, streamline the hiring process, implement creative staffing strategies and build a culture of excellence.

  • WEBINAR: The State of 9-1-1 Staff Performance and Retention

    Is your 9-1-1 center struggling with staff performance and retention? You’re not alone. Issues like these are putting a strain on 9-1-1 centers everywhere, and there are many contributing factors. Our recent benchmark study on the current State of 9-1-1 Staff Performance and Retention pulls back the covers to examine why 9-1-1 telecommunicators are leaving and best practices you can put into practice to close the revolving door to do more with less. Join us for this educational webinar to see how your agency compares to others on critical processes and issues, including:

    1. Staffing, turnover and retention
    2. Quality assurance and improvement (QA/QI)
    3. Performance management and reporting
    4. 9-1-1 records requests and incident reconstruction

      Sponsored by 
  • Thank You for Celebrating NPSTW With US!

    Thank you for celebrating NPSTW with us and thank you to those who participated in our contest - who is your superhero sidekick. We had 99 entries and more than 3200 votes! Two additional award winners were added this year - top dogs.

  • Happy NPSTW!!

    April 9-15 is National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week! Recognizing the first, first responders. In honor of #npstw we are hosting a contest on the NPSTW site and we want to know who is your sidekick or on your super team. Please share with us for a chance to win a gift card.

    And happy NPSTW! Thank you for the amazing work you do each day.

  • APCO 2023 Registration Now Open

    APCO's Annual Conference & Expo is taking place August 6-9 in Nashville, TN. Register by July 14 to get the early bird rate.

  • TODAY IS FLASH DAY!!!!!!

    Save $100 on your #APCO2023 registration today only! We can't wait to see you in Nashville!