Alexandria, VA – The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International has issued a call for participation for working group members to participate in the development of APCO candidate ANS for Supplemental Emergency Responder Recommendations. As some local governments are now looking for alternatives to response options, 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 Emergency Communication Centers 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.

“Because local, regional and state agencies are looking for other response methods, we identified a need to produce a standard focused on ascertaining alternative response approaches,” said APCO International President Jason Kern. “This standard will provide guidance, direction and support in meeting this need.”

APCO International is looking for a well-balanced group that will include contributions from training, technical and operational subject matter experts from the public safety communications realm. All interested persons should complete the online application and indicate their preference for this working group at Working Group Sign Up Page.

The deadline is January 24, 2022. Selections will be made within two weeks of the deadline and all applicants will be notified of their status.

APCO International® (www.apcointl.org)
APCO International is the world’s oldest and largest organization of public safety communications professionals and supports the largest U.S. membership base of any public safety association. It serves the needs of public safety communications practitioners worldwide – and the welfare of the general public – by providing complete expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy, and outreach.