Alexandria, VA – The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International is seeking comments for the candidate American National Standards (ANS) Crisis Intervention Techniques and Call Handling Procedures for Public Safety Telecommunicators. This standard will identify training requirements for handling calls involving emotionally distressed individuals.

“Many encounters with emotionally distressed individuals do not involve the threat of violence, although some callers can be a danger to themselves or others,” said Margie Moulin, President of APCO International. “This standard will identify training requirements and procedures for these particular types of calls.”

The public may review and comment on this candidate standard from December 18, 2020 through February 1, 2021.

Candidate ANS 1.120.1-20XX Crisis Intervention Techniques and Call Handling Procedures

For questions regarding APCO Standards, please email apcostandards@apcointl.org or contact the Standards/ACS Program Manager at (571) 289-7402. For more information on APCO standards activities, visit www.apcointl.org/standards.html.