Join us for the next event in APCO’s Summit Series — the Wellness & Workforce Summit, taking place February 18-19, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.

This event will explore the full employee experience — from recruitment and retention to culture, leadership and wellness — through innovative, practical and evidence-based strategies. Sessions will move beyond traditional wellness approaches to examine an integrated framework for individual and organizational resilience. Earn up to 11.5 CDEs and leave with tools to strengthen mental, physical and organizational health and to cultivate workplaces where people and agencies thrive.
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On November 18, APCO filed reply comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on modernizing the nation's alerting systems. APCO expressed support for a comprehensive review of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to ensure they remain effective, reliable and aligned with modern communications capabilities. APCO urged the FCC to expand the reach of emergency alerts to streaming platforms, incorporate multimedia content (such as photos of a missing child in an AMBER alert), and actively monitor – and where appropriate, enforce – compliance with the FCC’s geotargeting requirements to make sure alerts are accurately delivered only to those for whom they are relevant.
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APCO has officially released the updated APCO/NENA Standard for the Establishment of a Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement (QA/QI) Program for Emergency Communications Centers. The revised standard is flexible and scalable, giving agencies of all sizes the tools to build effective QA programs with current, comprehensive guidance for both traditional and emerging technologies.
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We are still searching for speakers who have a strong grasp of emerging issues, innovations and technology in the emergency communications industry. Don’t miss this opportunity to have your insight heard by thousands of public safety professionals from across the industry!

If selected, you will receive a full complimentary registration to the conference. Call for speakers closes December 8 — submit your proposal today.

On November 18, APCO submitted comments to the FCC on the Safer Buildings Coalition’s request to update the rules for industrial signal boosters. APCO noted that the current rules have created gaps that have led to inconsistent installations and harmful interference. APCO supported the Safer Buildings Coalition’s recommendations to modernize the authorization framework for industrial signal boosters and proposed further rule changes to improve tracking installations, train installers, and require coordination with certified public safety frequency coordinators.
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On November 19, APCO, together with the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Sheriffs’ Association submitted a filing in response to NextNav’s request for FCC action to modify the 900 MHz band and a related Notice of Inquiry on the development of positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) technologies and solutions. While acknowledging the importance of exploring PNT solutions for public safety, the  groups cautioned that the changes proposed by NextNav could create interference with existing life-safety systems operating in the lower 900 MHz band. The groups urged the FCC not to consider any proposals requiring alterations to the lower 900 MHz band, while continuing to explore alternative PNT solutions that support public safety without disrupting critical communications systems.
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On November 19, Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) introduced the 988 Lifeline Location Improvement Act, a bill to establish an advisory committee to study the legal, technical and funding challenges related to transmitting location information with calls to 988. The bill calls for research on the feasibility of providing dispatchable location information, meaning the caller’s street address as well as the floor level, room number, and other information as applicable. This type of precise location information is the gold standard for public safety. The advisory committee will include a representative from the 9-1-1 community, ensuring public safety perspectives are included in the final recommendations. APCO thanks Senators Lujan and Barrasso for their leadership on this important issue.
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A new report from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is now available. NTIA conducted a national landscape analysis to understand how ECCs are engaging with AI and other emerging technologies. This research surfaced insights directly from public safety leaders, highlighting early successes, common challenges and areas of opportunity. It is designed to help ECC directors and local officials understand how AI is being used effectively today and what is needed to scale its benefits.
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Change Management in the ECC: Guiding Teams Through Technology and AI Adoption
December 2 | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. ET
1 CDE | Free for members; $59 for non-members
Sponsored by Aurelian
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From the Emergency Communications Center to Capitol Hill: A Fireside Chat on Health and Wellness for Public Safety Telecommunicators
December 9 | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. ET
1 CDE | Free for members; $59 for non-members
Register

Whether you prefer to learn online, virtually or in-person, the APCO Institute offers a variety of courses to meet your learning needs. There are still seats available in these upcoming courses. Click on the course date to learn more and register. 

Online Courses

• Comprehensive Quality (16 CDEs): 11/26 - 1/6
• Customer Service in Today's Public Safety Communications (8 CDEs): 12/3 - 12/23
• Active Shooter Incidents for Public Safety Communications, 2nd Edition (8 CDEs): 12/3 - 1/6
• Communications Center Supervisor, 5th Edition (24 CDEs): 12/10 - 1/13
• Communication Center Manager, 1st Edition (24 CDEs): 12/10 - 1/20

APCO Virtual Classroom Courses

• Crisis Negotiations for Telecommunicators, 2nd Edition (8 CDEs): 12/11
• Bullying and Negativity in the Communications Center, 2nd Edition (8 CDEs): 12/19
• Public Safety Telecommunicator 1, 7th Edition (40 CDEs): 1/5 - 1/9
• Communications Training Officer, 6th Edition (24 CDEs): 1/13 - 1/15
• Communications Center Supervisor, 5th Edition (24 CDEs): 1/20 - 1/22

In-Person Courses

• Roanoke, VA - Law Enforcement Communications, 1st Edition (32 CDEs): 12/15 - 12/18
• Worcester, MA - Communications Center Supervisor, 5th Edition Version 1 (24 CDEs): 1/5 - 1/7
• Cairo, NY - Customer Service in Today's Public Safety Communications (8 CDEs): 1/6 or 1/13
• Post Falls, ID - Fundamentals of Tactical Dispatch (16 CDEs): 1/12 - 1/13
• Manchester, NH - Public Safety Telecommunicator 1, 7th Edition (40 CDEs): 1/12 - 1/16

View all upcoming courses