The Executive Council Meeting on Friday, Aug. 5.

“We really hit the ground running in September,” APCO International President Bill Carrow told the Executive Council on Friday, Aug. 3, during the Council’s annual meeting. He was referring to the efforts — both top down and at the grassroots level — to obtain the D Block in the 700 MHz band for a National Public Safety Broadband Network.

Immediate Past President Dick Mirgon has been spearheading the charge. He gave a full report to the Council, calling special attention to the efforts of Bill Keller of Texas (who was presiding over the meeting) to launch a calling campaign to obtain the backing of Sen. Kay Baily Hutchison for Congressional allocation of the D Block to public safety.

“If the leadership is there in the state, then we can make a difference on the Hill,” said Mirgon. “Where we’re stuck is in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, specifically with Greg Walden of Oregon.” He encouraged all public safety personnel to continue calling, writing and meeting with their members of Congress so the issue doesn’t die. Such communications are critical he said, and “It’s working; it’s effective; it’s going to get us where we need to go.”

“Thank you, right down to the membership,” said Carrow. “This campaign has certainly opened the eyes of a lot of legislators. Thank you for the time and effort that has been expended.”

Executive Council representatives hard at work.

Dave Saffel, who chairs the APCO International Finance & Budget Committee, said APCO had “what I would consider in this economy a banner year.” He and Interim Executive Director Mark Cannon reported on the financial health of the organization, and painted a picture of a strong, stable organization with plans for growth.

Cannon also described the association’s top 10 accomplishments of the past year:

10.    Maintaining financial stability,
9.    The development of new and revised standards,
8.    The release of new and updated courses,
7.    Extending APCO’s international reach with the first ever Global Congress in Dubai in June,
6.    The growth of the Corporate Partners program,
5.    The expansion of spectrum management services,
4.    The launch of the 9-1-1 Advisor Software,
3.    Refreshing APCO’s brand,
2.    The work of the ProCHRT task force on training and professional development, and
1.    The efforts to achieve legislative action on the D Block.

The Executive Council also broke into several small caucuses to further the discussions on the ProCHRT work and ways to encourage members to run for APCO office.

Mike Jeffres

Second Vice President candidate Mike Jeffres also addressed the Council: “I want to step into a leadership role. I want to provide more to APCO than I have in the past.”

APCO members will be able to learn more about all of these issues — and vote — in the First and Second General Business Meetings on Sunday at 4 p.m. in Room 201 and on Tuesday at 4 p.m. in the same location.