On March 1, 2013 the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International filed a Project Initiation Notification to revise APCO ANS 3.103.2-201x Minimum Training Standards for Public Safety Telecommunicators and to create Candidate APCO ANS 1.115.1-201x Core Competencies, Operational Factors, and Training for Next Generation Technologies in Public Safety Communications.

The revision of APCO ANS 3.103.2 – 201x Minimum Training Standards for Public Safety Telecommunicators will ensure the standard addresses the current state of the industry and to address new and emerging operational issues and procedures that  impact the training needs of public safety telecommunicators.

Candidate APCO ANS 1.115.1-201x Core Competencies, Operational Factors, and Training for Next Generation Technologies in Public Safety Communications will include a comprehensive set of  standards for processing, dispatch & utilization of multi-media systems; operational factors, including but not limited to: increased work load & multi-tasking; security requirements, impact of evolving voice & data networks; conceptual understanding of NG Systems, Emergency Services Networks, and IP networks; impacts of stress when handling graphic media; utilization of non-traditional resources, i.e.- third-party call centers, telematics, etc.; applications, both mobile and fixed.

“APCO recognizes the importance of training, both initial and ongoing, for our nation’s emergency communications centers. As technologies evolve, APCO continues to embrace the public and private sectors in developing standards. This new standard will provide the tools necessary to make next generation emergency communications a success,” said APCO President Terry Hall.

The public review and comment period is an important step in the standard development process.  This provides an opportunity for all interested parties to review and contribute.  Once completed, these draft standards can be downloaded for review at http://www.apco911.org/standards/call-to-action-review-a-comment.html.

Comments on these project proposals must be submitted via e-mail to standards@apcointl.org by April 15, 2013.

About APCO International™ (www.apcointl.org)

APCO International is the world’s largest organization of public safety communications professionals.  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.