Washington, DC – Responding to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski appointing David S. Turetsky as Chief of the Commission’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB), Gregg Riddle, president of APCO International, the world’s largest organization of public safety communications professionals, released the following statement pledging to supportively work with Turetsky on matters of importance to the public safety communications community:

“APCO International extends congratulations to David Turetsky on his new position as Chief of the FCC’s PSHSB. The FCC plays a critical role in fostering an environment that enables the public safety communications community to efficiently and effectively protect our nation.

“APCO is committed to working side by side with Mr. Turetsky on important public safety communications issues, such as the FCC’s responsibilities under the public safety provisions of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act, promoting Next Generation 9-1-1 services, and addressing the land mobile radio needs of first responders. Communications technology has rapidly evolved in recent years, with more and more Americans now taking advantage of innovative applications and services. APCO looks forward to collaborating with the FCC in order to ensure that our first responders can also utilize the most advanced communications technology to best serve communities across the country.”

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 About APCO International™ (www.apcointl.org)

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.