Independence Hall

It’s 77 years after the premiere APCO International Annual Conference & Exposition, and the event still draws a crowd to experience cutting-edge public safety communications technology and education, and make powerful connections with other professionals. If you’re in the area, come by! Day passes can be purchased on site. To help you plan your busy schedule, here are some highlights of what Sunday, Aug. 7, offers attendees.

APCO’s golf fanatics will be up early on Sunday to participate in the Annual Golf Tournament from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

From 7 a.m.-5 p.m., stop by the Living Room to learn about healthy living, nutrition and even participate in yoga and pilates. Come kick back with us, and learn how to live well, eat right and take better care of yourself in The Living Room (113C). (See the full schedule of Living Room events.)

The conference provides attendees with the opportunity to branch out and meet new people. If you have never attended the APCO Conference before, then the New Attendee Orientation Brunch (10–11 a.m.) is a must attend. It will show you the ropes and allow you to make connections with other new attendees.

At 11 a.m., join us for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the Grand Opening of the Exhibit Hall, where you will see the latest technology on display from more than 250 companies. The hall will be open until 4 p.m. daily throughout the conference, officially closing on Tuesday (Aug. 9) afternoon.

Professional Development Sessions
Education is never on the back burner at an APCO Conference. Next Generation 9-1-1, management and supervision, disaster operations, LTE (long-term evolution), social media, crisis negotiations for telecommunicators, stress management, training, texting 9-1-1—if there’s a topic you want to learn about, there’s most likely a professional development session about it. Just a few sessions are highlighted below.

From 1:15–2:30 p.m.
Jeryl Brown, Anderson-Orange County (N.C.) Emergency Services, and Crystal McDuffie, N.C. State University Police Department, will help communications managers understand the effects of social media websites on the reputations and safety of their personnel, while discussing how to design and implement social media policies, during Social Network in an Emergency Service Environment.

Learn about the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center and its effect on the comm center from Terence Wyllie during his session, FBI Terrorist Screening Center (TSC): Information Sharing w/Law Enforcement and Communication Dispatcher Specialists.

Hear how alarm monitoring companies and PSAPs are working together to implement the APCO/ANSI standard during Critical Link: The Delivery of Alarm Transmissions Between Alarm Monitoring Companies and 9-1-1 PSAPs.

A panel will discuss NG9-1-1: Past Lessons, Present State, Future Opportunities.

From 2:45–4 p.m.
Ron Dunn, San Bernardino (Calif.) Sheriff’s Office, will discuss the public’s use of social media to access emergency responders and potential policies for PSAPs in Social Media and the Effects on 9-1-1 Call Handling.

APCO’s Sheila Hanna-Wiles will be presenting on how to cultivate leaders at your agency in Mentoring Program in the Communications Center. (For more information, read ASAP to PSAP in August PSC on p. 18.)

(View the complete schedule online.)

Can’t-Miss Events
The First General Business Session is Sunday, Aug. 7 at 4 p.m., at which members will meet the candidate for second vice president and hear resolutions presented from the floor.

After the business, make sure to join us for the Attendee Welcome Reception (6–9 p.m.) at the Franklin Institute, an inspiring and elegant venue. It will be the perfect end for a busy day and will get you excited about Monday’s events.