Alexandria, Va. – The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) have partnered to draft educational materials that will provide smartphone application (app) developers an in-depth understanding of current enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) system capabilities and limitations. The document “Public Safety Considerations for Smartphone Application Developers” can be found here http://apcointl.org/resources/app-developers.html.

Due to the increase of smartphone apps entering the market involving public safety and emergency communications, APCO felt that there was a strong need to better inform current and potential app developers of the systems’ capabilities. Many of these new apps display a high degree of creativity and innovation, but they need to take into consideration the E9-1-1 technical architecture as well as the operations of public safety answering points (PSAPs) which may influence these product offerings.

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.