Denver, CO – Today, the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International announced the completion of a seminal report entitled “Broadband Implications for the PSAP.”  This report is the culmination of an exceptional, association-wide project known as Project 43.  It provides a forward-looking analysis of emergency communications, as 9-1-1 centers across the nation transition from decades-old technology to the broadband era and beyond.  The report and related materials can be accessed at www.apcop43.org.

A number of major, broadband-based developments are leading to a paradigm shift in the role of the 9-1-1 center (known as a public safety answering point or PSAP), even as this essential part of America’s critical infrastructure lags behind in technology.  Implementation of a new, interoperable, nationwide public safety broadband network by FirstNet will place broadband communications into the hands of first responders.  IP-based, Next Generation 9-1-1 technology will enable PSAPs to utilize broadband data in ways that will transform how the public reaches 9-1-1 and how 9-1-1 professionals interact with first responders.

Project 43 was a combined effort of nearly 80 member practitioners, assisted by APCO professional staff, working over the course of a year to set a vision for the future of emergency communications.  The report includes findings and recommendations that will help prepare all stakeholders – including frontline practitioners, managers, industry leaders, and appointed and elected officials – to address the operations, governance, cybersecurity, technology, training, and workforce issues associated with evolving communications technologies.  APCO has committed to undertake a number of follow-up actions and intends for the report to spur further work and important conversations in the years to come.

“Public safety communications professionals serve at the focal point of emergency response, which will increasingly become an emergency communications hub, tactical intelligence center, and unified command and control entity for all responding agencies and personnel,” said APCO Executive Director and CEO Derek Poarch.  “APCO will continue to do everything it can to ensure these life-saving professionals have the resources they need to accomplish their mission.  This report is only a starting point.  Achieving the vision of fully deployed, broadband-enabled, interoperable Next Generation 9-1-1 networks throughout the country is a national imperative, and we welcome the beginning of significant dialogue and collaboration.”