On May 18, public safety and government officials joined APCO International at the Mandarin Oriental in Washington, D.C., to honor individuals who advocate for public safety on local, state and national policy levels. APCO Executive Director George S. Rice Jr. kicked off the event with a touch of humor, saying, “For APCO, this is our opportunity to recognize the vital role that all of you play in public safety communications and to underscore how your efforts [in policy] contribute to the success of our mission. It’s also our one, and only, chance each year to take 300 of our closest colleagues out to dinner without triggering an ethics investigation.”

In all seriousness, Rice discussed the importance of the commitment of policy makers and public safety officials. “The work that you do to advance public safety communications,” he said, “is exactly what we need to move our industry forward, to provide the service that this very complicated world requires to keep it’s people safe.”

From left: NYPD Deputy Chief Chuck Dowd and San Jose PD Deputy Chief Christopher Moore received the Ledership in Advocacy Award, presented by Stu Overby from Motorola, APCO President Richard Mirgon and APCO Executive Director George S. Rice Jr.

The first award presented was the Leadership in Advocacy Award. Deputy Chief Christopher Moore, San Jose (Calif.) Police Department, and Deputy Chief Chuck Dowd, New York City Police Department, both seasoned law enforcement officers, were honored for their work in advancing the campaign to create a national, interoperable public safety broadband network.

The Leadership in Regulatory Service Award was presented to Brian Marenco, of the FCC Public Safety and Homeland Security Division. Marenco has negotiated agreements with Canada and Mexico to allow U.S. public safety systems to operate along the borders, resolving serious spectrum disputes.

Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) received the Leadership in Legislative Service Award, honored for his leading efforts as chairman of the Homeland Security Committee on public safety funding and port and chemical plant security. In Congress, he has also led the effort to restore funding to the Secure the Cities Program.

Governor Tim Pawlenty (R-Minn.) and Governor Martin O’Malley (D-Md.) received the Leadership in Advancing Communications Policy Award for their support in allocating resources to public safety and investing in interoperability initiatives and broadband communications through their policies.

Pawlenty, who was unable to attend, wrote a statement that Ric read to the group: “Now more than ever, protecting the public is the first role of government and governors. We look to members of the public safety community to help meet that goal. Thank you for your work to continuously enhance public safety communications through your leadership, professionalism and service. It is my honor and pleasure to receive your recognition, and I look forward to your continued successful efforts in keeping our citizens safe.”

A Special Recognition Award was presented to Rear Admiral Michael Brown of the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Cybersecurity and Communications, honored for his leadership in securing funding for public safety communications.The Marilyn J. Praisner Award for Leadership in Local Government Communications Policy, which is awarded in conjunction with the National Association of Counties (NACo), was presented to Timothy Loewenstein, county supervisor for Buffalo County, Neb. Loewenstein was honored for his work on the Steering Committee of the National Coordination Committee, recommending standards for technology and deployment of the public safety interoperable bands in the 700 MHz spectrum to the FCC.

This year, the Public Safety Foundation of America (PSFA) established the Public Safety Fellows Program to recognize individuals for their leadership in research activities and service to local government while acting as a resource to planners and managers on emerging technology issues. William Schrier was honored as the first fellow for his involvement in the campaign to get the D Block allocated to public safety.

APCO and Public Safety Communications congratulate this year’s winners and thank them for their service to public safety communications. We also thank the sponsors of this year’s event:

• Platinum Sponsor:AT&T
• Silver Sponsors: ATX, L.R. Kimball, Motorola and TeleCommunication Systems
• Bronze Sponsors: Alcatel–Lucent, GeoComm, Harris, Intrado, Onstar, PlantCML/EADS, T-Mobile, TIA, TruePositions and Deloitte

For more information about the dinner, visit leadersdinner.apcointl.org.