APCO International — By the Members for the Members
The APCO International Executive Council met in an open meeting on Friday, Aug. 17, 2012.
“It’s a real pleasure to know that every chapter has a representative from the chapter here,” said APCO International President Gregg Riddle in his opening remarks. Thus, every chapter will receive first-hand reports from their Council member on the association business reported on during the meeting.
Representing the New Mexico Chapter and presiding over the meeting was Art Rios. He welcomed the Council and called the meeting to order.
The agenda included the introduction of and remarks by the two candidates for APCO International 2nd Vice President: Brent Lee and John Wright.
In their remarks, both men emphasized the need for more respect and recognition for telecommunicators.
“I know how little recognition telecommunicators get,” said Lee. “We all know that in times of disasters, we’re quick to send police, fire, EMS, but what about telecommunicators?” Among other things, Lee helped develop the COML program, All-Hazards Communications Unit Leader training. “We can make a difference,” he said. “I can step up and represent APCO.”
Wright played an instrumental role in the launch of the first National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and in making it an annual event recognized by Congress and the president. “We need to recognize telecommunicators as first responders,” said Wright.” APCO membership needs to be a value-added membership. … We need to keep membership informed on technical issues. We need to think about the loss of the T-Band.”
[Click here for more information about the candidates. Click here to vote.]
According to Executive Director Derek Poarch and Finance and Budget Committee Chair Dave Saffel, the association had a banner year. Association membership has now exceeded 15,000 members, and the association is in a strong financial position, with the ability to add a half-million dollars to its operating reserves.
APCO’s Chief Counsel for Law and Policy Jeff Cohen reported on the status of the National Public Safety Broadband Network and the First Responder Network Authority, or FirstNet, the independent authority within the NTIA that will hold the spectrum license for the network and be responsible for overseeing the network’s buildout and operation, in consultation with federal, state, tribal and local public safety entities, and other key stakeholders.
News on the next steps is anticipated during the conference.
Riddle said, “We got a challenge when Congress said, ‘You can have the D Block, but we’re taking back the T-Band.’ Please let your chapters know that APCO — along with our partners in the PSA — is working as hard as we can to gain/regain access to the T-Band.”
The three-year ProCHRT report by Chair Steve Souder incoming Chair Bill Carrow was eagerly received by the Council. ProCHRT was originally established three years ago as a task force to research and tackle the various human resource issues associated with public safety communications. Souder and Carrow also announced the establishment of a website dedicated to these issues.
The meeting ended on a high note, with several members thanking their mentors and outgoing members for their service.