October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month — we've put together weekly videos this month featuring cyber tips from APCO's senior technology strategist, Megan Bixler. This week's video is about phishing attacks in emergency communications. Bixler emphasizes the importance of layered defenses, including email filters, firewalls, multifactor authentication and regular staff training, to protect ECC operations, public safety and the citizens they serve.

Watch the video

We are currently accepting volunteers to help guide APCO and iCERT's program aimed at promoting the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in emergency response and public safety communications. 

There are four workgroups to select from:

• Education: This group will create or gather materials that explain AI concepts and their applications to emergency response and public safety communications systems.
• Risks & Challenges: This group will identify the risks and challenges and develop guidelines for responsible AI use.
• Implementation: This group will focus on general issues that affect the adoption of AI in existing emergency response systems.
• Legal & Policy: This group will identify existing legal requirements, including those related to liability, acceptable risk, intellectual property rights and regulatory compliance.

For questions, contact Megan Bixler or Don Brittingham, or visit the website.

Volunteer

The Evolving Role of AI in ECCs
October 29 | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. ET
Sponsored by Hexagon
Register

Transforming Incident Response and Enhancing Mutual Aid
November 5 | 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. ET
Sponsored by FirstNet, Built with AT&T
Register

APCO is seeking volunteers to contribute their expertise and help shape the future of emergency communications as part of a standards working group. Choose from:

• Best Practices for Artificial Intelligence Integration Into the Emergency Communications Center
• Best Practices for the Use of Social Media in Public Safety Communications (Revision)
• Public Safety Communications Common Status Codes for Data Exchange (Revision)

The time commitment is typically a couple of hours per month. APCO encourages members and non-members at all levels and roles in emergency communications to participate. Apply by Friday, October 31.

Learn more

Unlock all 132 professional development sessions from APCO 2025 with our conference session recordings. With the opportunity to earn up to 132 CEUs throughout the year, you'd be giving your agency the flexibility to learn, grow and stay ahead. Purchase session recordings today and benefit from the valuable education shared at APCO 2025 — all on your own schedule.

APCO offers specialized agency instructor courses across key public safety disciplines to train the next generation of emergency communicators. Available instructor courses include:

• Public Safety Telecommunicator
• Communications Training Officer  
• Emergency Medical Dispatch
• Fire Service Communications
• Law Enforcement Communications

These programs will equip experienced personnel with the skills and credentials needed to effectively teach within their agencies. Courses are available online and most are offered monthly.

Learn more

End 2025 strong by learning new skills and earning CDEs. Seats are available for these online and virtual courses, which begin in November. Click on a course to learn more and register.

• Bullying and Negativity in the Comm Center, 2nd Ed. #76677 (11/5 - 11/25: Online - 8 CDEs)
• Surviving Stress #77409 (11/5 - 11/25: Online - 8 CDEs)
• Active Shooter Incidents for PSC, 2nd Ed. #76654 (11/12 - 12/2: Online -  8 CDEs)
• Communications Center Manager, 1st Ed. #77520 (11/12 - 12/16: Online - 24 CDEs)
• Fundamentals of Tactical Dispatch #77306 (11/13 - 11/14: Virtual Classroom - 16 CDEs)
• Public Safety Telecommunicator 1, 7th Ed. (11/19 - 12/16: Online - 40 CDEs)
• Law Enforcement Communications #77373 (11/19 - 12/30: Online - 32 CDEs)

See the full training schedule

Tait Communications P25 Network Implemented in US Public Safety Communications Research Lab