I will start by brining you up to date with what has been going on in 2016 so far.
The Executive Committee met with the group leaders to review mid-year progress in late January, this meeting was immediately follow by the Board of Directors quarterly meeting.
The Credentials Committee certified a single candidate for Second Vice-President, Holly Wayt is running for that position prior to the filing deadline.
The Committee also certified that Martha Carter has declared her candidacy for the next highest office, First Vice-President.
As a reminder a Candidate can be nominated from the floor by the quorum as long as they are certified by the Credentials Committee prior to the vote.
On February 10, APCO announced the establishment of Project 43, Broadband Implications for the PSAP, being spearheaded by Past President Steve Proctor of the Utah Communications Authority and later issued a Call for Participation in support of six P43 working groups focusing on cybersecurity, governance, operations, staffing, technical and training. The deadline for applications is March 21.
In February the Board of Directors met in Daytona Beach, FL for a workshop to review in detail the scopes, goals and progress of each committee and developed proposals that would make modifications to certain committees to enhance the overall impact of committee-supported work for the benefit of the public safety communications profession.
The Government affairs office has been busy filing comments with the FCC regarding proposed improvements to the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system. APCO expressed support for expanding the permissible length of WEA messages, adding a category of “Emergency Government Information” allowing embedded content such as phone numbers and URL’s, improving the geo-targeting of alerts, affording WEA public safety originators options to participate in testing, and improving logging and test reporting.
Jeff Cohen, Mark Reddish, and Max Hsu (GRO Staff) met with FCC’s Public safety and Homeland Security Bureau staff to reiterate APCO’s position regarding the FCC ruling requiring wireless providers to forward calls from non-service initialized (NSI) devices. APCO’s position is that the FCC should sunset the call-forwarding rule and affirmatively prohibit 9-1-1 calls from NSI devices, following and appropriate time period. Protecting access to 9-1-1 for all those who need it is critical, but PSAP’s also must be protected from the substantial burden placed upon them every day by fraudulent, harassing and wasteful calls from NSI devices to 9-1-1.
FirstNet released its request for proposals, RFP for the nationwide public safety broadband network, over 400 questions from respondents regarding the RFP were submitted and FirstNet has held a follow up webinar to address the questions and provide additional guidance to those wishing to submit proposals. In addition, the GRO filed comments with NTIA regarding the proposed scope of NTIA’s authority over FirstNet fees. APCO expressed support for NTIIA’s determination that its statutory responsibilities with respect to review FirstNet fees is limited and clear, and accordingly NTIA should execute its duties to afford FirstNet as much flexibility as possible.
On February 2, Jeff Cohen and Mark Reddish attended a hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology entitled “Status of the Public Safety Broadband Network.” The purpose of the hearing was to examine the progress of deploying the nationwide public safety broadband network. TJ Kennedy, President of FirstNet, and David Furth, Deputy Chief of the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, served as witnesses.
The GRO filed comments on February 8 responding to the FCC’s annual Report to Congress on the state collection and distribution of 911 fees. APCO noted the harmful impact of diverting 911 fees, including making the case for significant federal funding to support NG911 deployment. Additionally, APCO urged the FCC to clarify certain definitional issues with respect to NG911 and cybersecurity, and requested that the Commission examine state and local governance issues that might impede deployment of NG911.
GRO filed comments on February 9 responding to a Request for Information seeking input on how NIST might update its Cybersecurity Framework. APCO acknowledged that use of the Framework has so far been limited in the public safety community, but noted that—especially with the advent of NG911 and FirstNet—it is critical that cybersecurity for PSAPs and the entire 911 ecosystem be considered as part of the overall critical infrastructure approach. Furthermore, APCO asserted that additional funding, both for education and resources, would be essential to assist PSAPs in utilizing the Framework to develop cybersecurity best practices.
On February 19, the Federal Communications Commission released the final (consolidated) report of the Task Force on Optimal PSAP Architecture (TFOPA). GRO will continue to monitor any work performed by the Task Force until its charter expires in December 2016. Additional information about TFOPA can be found here.
On February 23, GRO attended a Tech Showcase and the 911 Honor Awards reception on Capitol Hill, both of which were hosted by the NG911 Institute. During the Tech Showcase, experts from the industry, FirstNet, the Department of Homeland Security and the National 911 Program gave presentations on the latest developments in public safety technology. During the Honor Awards reception, members of the Congressional NG911 Caucus, other members of Congress, federal agency staff, members of the public safety community, vendors and members of the general public recognized exceptional leaders and heroes in the 911 community.
Narrowbanding (Update) – FCC Provides Further Guidance for Wideband Only Licenses On January 13, the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications and Public Safety and Homeland Security bureaus issued a joint public notice providing additional guidance on wideband only licenses.
Previously, LMCC filed a letter with FCC on November 4 seeking clarification on wideband licenses (non-complaint licenses). LMCC sought this clarification since there was conflicting guidance on this issue from FCC staff. LMCC specifically asked that (1) non-compliant licensees with wideband-only authorizations do not qualify as affected licensees for purposes of analyses conducted pursuant to 90.187 of the FCCs Rules, irrespective of the operational status of their systems; and (2) non-compliant licensees – those that reflect only non-compliant emission designators – may not now bring their licenses into compliance with the narrowbanding mandate absent evidence of frequency coordination.
On December 17, 2015 LMCC filed a second letter with FCC stating: “This letter informs the Commission that, pending the FCC’s response, both B/ILT and Public Safety FACs understand that they have authority to perform frequency coordination activities in compliance with the provisions of this rule section; that is, licensees whose authorizations report a non-compliant wideband emission designator only are not being recognized as affected parties for purposes of exclusive use channel analyses.”
Highlights of the January 13 FCC public notice are the following:
1) No wideband operations without waiver. FCC will not permit wideband only operation with a waiver or unless wideband equipment meets efficiency standard.
2) Coordinators to contact wideband licensees. FCC argues that “if a licensee is operating in compliance with narrowbanding but has not updated its license, the FCC suggests that the license complies with the spirit of the rule.” 3) Fines. Licensees operating in wideband mode only after January 1, 2013, without a waiver are in violation of FCC’s rules and are subject to enforcement action. FCC action includes loss of license and fines up to $16,000 per violation or day (up to $112,500 for a single act). 4) Take action now. FCC states that it will attempt to contact non-compliant licensees assuming they have working emails. FCC’s first attempt at this failed with more than 60% undeliverable. AFC can assist with determining whether licenses are in compliance and file necessary modification with FCC. Please contact APCO-AFC for further details.
700 MHz Regional Planning Committees Plans (valid as of 01/26/2016) Until the regions have developed their plans and had those plans approved by the FCC, no licenses (other than state-wide licenses on the 2.4 MHz state allocation at 700 MHz) can be granted at 700 MHz. Fifty-four of the 55 regions have either held or set the date for their first meeting. Forty-six (46) regional plans have been approved (there are 55 regional planning committees), one is pending plan amendment, and eight have not submitted their plans.
FCC directed the 700 RPCs to file Plan amendments to address how the Regions would process applications for the 700 MHz narrowband “former reserve” frequencies. In Regions with T-Band cities, T-Band incumbents must be given priority access to the former reserve frequencies for a period of at least five years. The regions were given until October 30, 2015 to file such amendments.
On February 3, the FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) and Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) announced that they will begin accepting applications for the operation of mobile repeaters on the following six VHF frequencies: 173.2375, 173.2625, 173.2875, 173.3125, 173.3375, and 173.3625 MHz beginning on March 15, 2016.
History: On August 6, the FCC adopted a Report and Order that amended its rules to allow the operations of vehicular repeater systems (VRS) and other mobile repeaters on these channels. The FCC found that the only way to accommodate both telemetry and VRS on these frequencies was through frequency coordination, to ensure geographic separation as well as minimize the risk of commingling voice and data operations. The FCC directed the coordinators to send a consensus protocol to the Bureaus, which the Land Mobile Communications Council filed on September 30. The Public Notice on February 3, serves as the Bureaus’ approval of the protocol to begin accepting applications on March 15. For more information on VRS and how to file applications with AFC, visit www.apcointl.org/afc.
APCO Institute to Launch Public Safety Telecommunicator 1, 7th Edition – Canada Version The PST1 7th Edition, Canada Version course made its live debut on the Institute’s distance learning system on February 3. This four-week course provides the most up-to-date basic training for telecommunicators in Canada. This version includes the contribution of workgroups from across Canada who reviewed all modules to ensure their applicability to Canada and provided extensive content to reflect Canadian government and legal systems, regulatory authorities, and operational settings.
On the same day, the PST1-Canada Update course also went live online. This course provides a walkthrough of the new 7th edition to those who have been working in the current PST1 - Canada course. The course highlights the new points and updates included.
CAC & Silent Key Scholarships: The Institute began accepting CAC/Silent Key Scholarship applications on January 1 through the online application process. Currently 57 applications have been submitted, with 150 pending. The application process is open through March 31, 2016. Scholarship recipients must be current APCO members and maintain APCO membership throughout the scholarship period.
Continuing Dispatch Education: The Institute continues to generate monthly topics for the Illuminations program designed to assist agencies with their continuing education in both general topics in public safety communications and EMD. Currently over 1,200 students are enrolled in the program.
The Institute launched its Certified Public-Safety Executive (CPE) program, which is designed to elevate professionalism, enhance individual performance and recognize excellence in the profession. Participants may be managers, supervisors, agency executives or others whose work and life experiences have motivated them to learn the necessary skills to successfully lead organizations within the complex and ever-changing environment in which public safety agencies operate.
The program consists of two 12-week online courses and one nine-day capstone course at APCO offices in Daytona Beach, FL. The program begins July 6, 2016, and ends January 13, 2017. Applications must be completed by May 15. More information, including course content, visit www.apcointl.org/cpe.
Chapter Challenge During January and February, the 2016 Chapter Challenge generated a lot of interest with chapter Leaders. This APCO Institute promotional campaign is succeeding on many levels.
• Several chapters have already met the Challenge by scheduling at least two co-hosted course with their chapter members and agencies.
• The Institute is discovering how to better assist each chapter with their individual and sometimes unique needs.
• The chapters are discovering how the Institute can help them, in ways that perhaps they were not aware of in the past.
By establishing, re-establishing and rebuilding relationships, the Institute’s partnership with every APCO Chapter makes the entire APCO International organization stronger and more beneficial to the members and to the public that we all serve.
The 9-1-1 Location Technologies Test Bed Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) The TAC has unofficially selected a vendor. Negotiations are in progress. The selected vendor will serve as the Test Bed Administrator-Executor and will test deployed and emerging wireless 9-1-1 location information technologies consistent with the FCC’s Order, and ATIS ESIF specifications.
(CTIA) Location Accuracy PSAP Implementation Work Group CC9S staff continue to co-chair bi-weekly calls for this work group. The work group is responsible for assisting PSAPs in implementation of dispatchable location solutions and related processes, e.g., presentation of location data (x-y and Dispatchable Location) as part of 911 calls and standardization of confidence and uncertainty data. A Wireless Webinar Outline Draft was presented on 12/01/2015.
The Wireless Association (CTIA) Location Accuracy NEAD Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) The NEAD TAC is currently reviewing vendor RFP responses. It will meet to evaluate bids and determine finalists over the next two weeks and plans to have finalist presentations in DC the week of February 15.
ATIS Emergency Location Accuracy (ELOC) CC9S staff continues to support multiple workgroups for both the CTIA led oversight efforts and ATIS led standards development. Staff participated in one face-to-face Emergency Location meeting with ATIS in January. The ATIS ELOC committee, along with the Emergency Services Interconnect Forum (ESIF), is engaged in standards development to guide the technical aspects of location technologies.
Task Force on Optimal PSAP Architecture (TFOPA) TFOPA conducted a final vote on the consolidated report on January 29, which was approved as submitted. TFOPA leadership will next meet to determine future work; its charter continues until December of 2016.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) The public input closing date for the first draft of the 2019 edition of NFPA 1221 Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services Communications Systems is June 27, 2016. The first draft report posting date is March 1, 2017
The NPFA 1061: Professional Qualifications Document is entering its revision cycle for fall 2017. APCO staff attended the first draft meeting in early February. Several comments from APCO were addressed during the meeting and further discussion is planned.
All APCO standards activity has been added to the KAVI site and it is fully operational at this time.
Recommended Training Guidelines for 9-1-1 Telecommunicators The stakeholders for this group released the final draft for public review on February 1, 2016. Closing date for comments is March 15, 2016.
APCO has filed a Project Initiation with ANSI and has issued a call for participation for workgroup members to participate in the creation of an ANSI standard addressing Public Safety Grade Site Hardening Requirements.
This standard will address the requirements for “public safety grade” site hardening of wireless communications sites and facilities. The establishment of a standard is intended to assist public safety communications wireless network builders in constructing hardened public safety wireless networks and systems. This effort documents public safety requirements regarding various characteristics to make mission critical communications wireless networks sufficiently robust to meet the service availability requirements of public safety. The effort will standardize what is required to make wireless network sites “public safety grade” or to the extent to which they are hardened. This effort specifically addresses hardening for wireless communications sites with both transmission and/or reception capabilities.
We are looking for a well-balanced group that will include contributions from technical and operational subject matter experts. The time and day that the WG will meet is yet to be established.
Those interested should complete the online application and indicate their preference for this workgroup at: SDC Application. The application deadline is March 25, 2016. Selections will be made within two weeks of the deadline and all applicants will be notified of their status.
APCO has issued a call for participation for workgroup members to participate in the creation of an ANSI standard addressing the Conveyance of Emergency Incident Data.
The Conveyance of EIDD Working Group will focus on developing an ANSI accredited APCO/NENA Standard for transporting (conveying) Emergency Incident Data Documents (EIDDs) between systems (FEs). The data elements contained in EIDDs are defined in a soon to be released joint APCO/NENA ANS. The new standard will define how EIDDs are exchanged and transported from NG9-1-1 networks and systems. Expertise in information sharing and specifically in using web services and other protocols is desired. Operational familiarity with the needs for exchanging data between call takers and dispatchers, emergency responders and other user systems is also highly sought. We are looking for a well-balanced group that will include contributions from technical and operational subject matter experts. The time and day that the WG will meet is yet to be established. The WG plans to start meeting in March.
Those interested should complete the online application and indicate their preference for this workgroup at: SDC Application. The application deadline is March 18, 2016. Selections will be made within two weeks of the deadline and all applicants will be notified of their status.
Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP) Kings III, a Texas-based company, is the newest member of the alarm industry to commit to participation in the ASAP program. Kings III monitors emergency telephones in elevators and at swimming pools. Maryland is the latest state to open the state switch to Nlets to facilitate ASAP traffic between alarm central stations and Maryland PSAPs.
Important Dates to Remember
- Committee sign-up opened February 1, 2016
- Scholarship applications deadline – midnight (ET), March 31, 2016
- PSAP award nominations deadline – midnight (ET), April 1, 2016
- Registration and housing will open April 1, 2016.
- Program Guide AdvertisingFull page, ½ page, ¼ page and business card full color size ad space available.
- Exhibit Sales as of 1/21/2016 Booth rates increased on January 1 to $24.50/square feet
Keynotes - Opening Session: Lou Holtz, Legendary Football Coach and Analyst, ESPN (2004-2015)
- Distinguished Achievers Breakfast: Doris Kearns Goodwin, Presidential Historian and Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author
- Food For Thought Luncheon: Bob Woodward, Legendary Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist/Author and Associate Editor, The Washington Post
Registration fees are now online. To give people more choices, this year’s registration was reduced by $30 to $420 (previously $450) for a full registration. We are able to offer the reduced rate by making the Distinguished Achievers Breakfast and Food for Thought Luncheon optional events. This means, attendees can opt in for one or both events for $15 each – adding up to no more than last year's full registration fee. Some will see a price break, though, by paying only for what they can attend. Day passes and spouse/guest registration rates have been similarly reduced. A separate ticket is also still required for the Wednesday evening dinner a choice we began offering back in 2007.
Housing will open April 1, 2016 for attendees. The housing block for the Executive Council will open at the end of March. Please keep an eye out for an email regarding booking your hotel room within the special Executive Council block at the Rosen Centre.
Professional Development Sessions Speakers that submitted a proposal will be notified by the end of March.
New Products Zone Is Back. APCO International invites companies exhibiting at APCO 2016 to submit new* products to be displayed on the Expo floor in an area called the New Products Zone. ("New" is defined as having been released or substantially revised between September 2015 and August 2016.)
Promotion for the zone includes:
- Listing on the APCO 2016 website
- Dedicated pre-show email blast to registered attendees
- Dedicated page in the program guide
- Listing post-show in APCO's PSC magazine
App Island is an area exclusively for demonstrating public safety apps in an engaging setting, with turnkey stations designed to facilitate a hands-on experience. The special rate for 2016 exhibitors is $900.
Spots Still Available in the Presentation Theater. Present your product or service in the Presentation Theater and invite attendees to visit your booth for continued demonstrations. Make your reservation through the exhibitor portal or contact Lisa Williams. APCO Expo YouTube Channel APCO continues to create and deliver more marketing benefits and value for exhibitors. This new free tool will host exhibitor video clips highlighting unique products and services, plus an opportunity to invite buyers to their APCO 2016 booth. For more information, contact Chris Price (703) 439-9040 or mailto: cprice@tradeshowlogic.com.
Exhibit Sales as of 02/16/2016
10X10’s Sold /Hold | 486 |
Number of Exhibiting Companies | 204 |
Number of repeat exhibitors | 185 |
Number of new exhibitors | 9 |
Frank J Kiernan
Executive Council Representative
APCO Atlantic Chapter