Longtime public safety communications professional Steve Devine will join APCO International on February 2, 2015 in the grant-funded position of Project 25 manager.

Devine, a long-standing APCO member, has an extensive background in the public safety communications sector that includes 15 years working within the standards process for the Project 25 (P25) standard.  Most recently, he served as the technical lead and P25 liaison for the Missouri Statewide Interoperability Network.  Some of Devine’s previous service includes the FCC Emergency Response Interoperability Committee, (ERIC), Co-Chair of the National Regional Planning Councils (NRPCs), and as APCO Frequency Advisor for Missouri.

In his new role, Devine will manage on behalf of APCO the interactions of a broad base of public safety representatives in their work within a P25 user leadership structure that meets quarterly in conjunction with the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) to refine the user functionality requirements for the P25 standard for interoperable land mobile radio communications and to prioritize features and functions that require compliance assessment testing.

APCO Executive Director Derek Poarch said, “Steve’s experience in operating, designing and implementing public safety communication networks ensures that he will be a valuable addition to APCO and the broader P25 community and he will bring a unique perspective on current and future needs.“

About Project 25

The Project 25 (P25) program has a twenty-five year history of developing standards with federal grant support to improve public safety land mobile radio interoperability. Since its founding, a P25 users group has been co-convened regularly by representatives of APCO International and the National Association of State Technology Directors (NASTD) with the support of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Association of State Emergency Medical Officials, National Sheriffs’ Association and participation by various federal, state and local agencies.