Alexandria, VA – The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International has filed a Project Initiation with ANSI for the creation of an ANSI standard titled Supplemental Emergency Responder Recommendations.

9-1-1 calls traditionally resulting in the dispatch of law, medical or fire response, may be replaced or supplemented by alternative responder recommendations. This standard will address how ECCs can incorporate call taking processes currently in place to adapt to the use of alternative responders such as social workers, psychiatrists or other locally designated alternatives for non-violent situations.

“Some local, regional and state agencies are looking at alternative response approaches,” said Jason Kern, APCO International President. “This standard will provide guidance as to how these ECCs might operate in the future.”

A call for participation in a working group for this standard will go out in December 2021.