Alexandria, VA – The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International announces the recipients of its prestigious 2016 Public Safety Communications Leadership in Policy Awards, who will be honored during APCO’s Annual Public Safety Communications Leadership Dinner in Washington, DC on May 17, 2016.

The Awards Dinner commemorates leaders who have made outstanding contributions to public safety communications.

The award winners are:

Leadership in Advocacy Award
Rear Admiral Ronald T. Hewitt, USCG (Retired)
Director, Office of Emergency Communications, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Leadership in Regulatory Service Award
Thomas J. Beers
Policy Division Chief (Retired), Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau, Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Leadership in Legislative Service Award
John Branscome
Senior Counsel to Ranking Member Bill Nelson, U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation

Leadership in Advancing Communications Policy Award
TJ Kennedy
President, First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet)

Award recipients will be recognized by members of the public safety community, government, and industry during the dinner at the Renaissance Downtown Hotel in Washington, DC.

“It is our honor and privilege to celebrate these leaders in public safety communications,” said Brent Lee, president of APCO International. “This event is a great opportunity to gather as an association and celebrate significant contributions to improving public safety.”

For information about the Awards Dinner, visit leadersdinner.apcointl.org.  A portion of the proceeds from this event goes to the continued support of the Public Safety Foundation of America, which focuses on improving public safety services to our communities.

APCO International® (www.apcointl.org)
APCO International is the world’s oldest and largest organization of public safety communications professionals and supports the largest U.S. membership base of any public safety association. It serves the needs of public safety communications practitioners worldwide – and the welfare of the general public as a whole – by providing complete expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach.