Daytona Beach, FL—July 15, 2011— The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International will debut the fifth edition APCO Communications Training Officer (CTO) course at APCO International’s 77^th Annual Conference & Expo, August 7^th-10^th in Philadelphia, Pa.

APCO Institute’s Communications Training Officer Course certifies experienced telecommunicators to train and evaluate new trainees in a one-on-one training situation. Upon completion, Communications Training Officers can help build and maintain the CTO system while exploring important elements of effective CTO programs. Previous editions of the CTO program have been implemented in hundreds of agencies nationwide.

The fifth edition is the first in the public safety industry to expand on each component required to build a standardized structured training program within a communication center by presenting insight on performance based training using evaluations and documentation. Course material includes:

• Characteristics and task requirements of a CTO trainer
• Real life training liability issue case studies
• Review of APCO ANS training standards
• Steps required to achieve APCO Project 33 Training Program Certification

All course students will receive a CTO Program Implementation Workbook which provides information on building and improving the CTO Program within an agency.  This improved program highlights initiatives of the industry so Communications Training Officers are fully prepared and educated on all aspects of public safety.

APCO International’s President, Bill Carrow said, “A Standardized Training Program is necessary because it is court defensible and EEOC consistent. We are happy to release a course that provides the same educational experience to all new employees based on standards and agency defined requirements.”

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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.  www.apcointl.org