Daytona Beach, FL— Today the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International applauded the fact that the National Homeland Security Consortium (NHSC) continued to advance national security and preparedness efforts by releasing recommendations informed by a collaboration with APCO International and the other 20 voluntary national associations that make up the NHSC.

The NHSC has identified six new priority issues for near term policy and strategic action by the nation’s leaders:

• Sustain homeland security investments and efforts while creating incentives for innovative and creative solutions;
• Allocate the 700 MHz D block radio spectrum to public safety in order to enhance communications through new technology;
• Address immigration reform by moving from debate and conversation to action;
• Develop a methodology to measure homeland security performance in ways that recognize the constantly evolving threat;
• Make cyber security a priority policy issue for government and the private sector; and
• Develop a more comprehensive and coordinated approach in the rebuilding of communities struck by major disasters.

“APCO International fully supports the addition of six new priorities to the National Homeland Security Consortium’s updated White Paper, including allocation of D Block to public safety to allow for build-out and funding of a nationwide, interoperable public safety broadband network,” stated APCO President William Carrow. He continued, “In September of this year at the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on our nation, we all hope to be able to celebrate a decade of real, meaningful success, not only in taking our fight to the terrorists abroad, but in securing our homeland and all of our hometowns.  Implementation of NHSC’s recommendations will go a long way toward realizing those near term goals and objectives.”

These recommendations are part of a broader white paper Protecting Americans in the 21st Century:  Imperatives for the Homeland — a document that was developed by the NHSC in 2008 and updated in 2010.  The white paper offers specific recommendations to enhance national homeland security efforts. The areas of focus include communication and collaboration; intelligence and information sharing; use of the military; health and medical; interoperability; critical infrastructure; surge capacity; sustained resources and capabilities; and immigration, border security and global supply chain security.

APCO International has been a part of the consortium since its inception in 2002, and has played a part in compiling the original white paper.  Contributions to the updated version were made by APCO International, which included input from its Civil Contingencies Network, a professional network of APCO International members with interests and goals associated with advancing policies and identifying solutions to improve communications prior to and during emergency situations.

A copy of the white paper can be found at: http://www.apcointl.org/new/commcenter911/downloads/NHSC%20Updated%20White%20Paper%20Oct2010.pdf.

About APCO International
APCO International is the world’s largest organization of public safety communications professionals. It serves the needs of public safety communications practitioners worldwide — and the welfare of the general public as a whole — by providing complete expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach. For more information, visit www.apcointl.org.