Photos of Spring Conference posted

You can view photos of the Spring '11 Conference in Topeka by following this link...http://www.flickr.com/photos/ksapco/sets/72157626608447132/

Executive Director Rice to leave APCO

From Executive Council Rep Michele Abbott:  This message is provided to you as official notice that Executive Director George Rice has made a career decision to step down from his position with APCO International effective June 30, 2011.


The five years of George’s tenure have been a challenging time for the field of public safety and for APCO International. Yet, it was also a highly productive time, where APCO grew in professionalism and permanent infrastructure supports needed to thrive in current and future settings. For these and many other aspects of APCO International’s endeavors over the past five years, and on behalf of the Executive Committee, I offer a sincere thank you to George for his leadership.

As of July 1, Deputy Executive Director Mark Cannon will assume the role of Interim Executive Director, supported by the senior staff team of Chief Operations Officer Barbara Myers and Chief Administrative Officer Ricky Marshall.

The Executive Committee is currently examining Policy Manual provisions for an Executive Director search, in conjunction with the strategic needs of the association. Further updates on these matters will be provided as information becomes available.

We wish George all the best in this next stage of his career.

Additional classes available

Additional presentations from the APCO/KCJIS Spring Conference are now available at www.kspaco.net.  Check back frequently as more are posted.  They are valuable for sharing the information with employees in your department.

Conference materials available

Materials from two of the Spring '11 Conference presentations are now available on the Kansas APCO website.

The Powerpoint presentation on the DNA Databank, and the class handout from the Kansas Open Records Act is now available at http://www.ksapco.net/training.html.

2012 Conferences planned

Kansas APCO 2012 Conferences are already in the planning stages.  The 2012 Spring Conference will be hosted by Hutch/Reno County Emergency Communications and is scheduled for April 1-3 at the Ramada Convention Center in Hutchinson (formerly the Grand Prairie Hotel).

The 2012 Fall Conference will be held in Topeka at the downtown Ramada Inn.  The conference will be in October, however dates and times have not yet been set.

With budget preparations on the horizon, be sure to budget funds to attend these two conferences!  They are valuable for gaining knowledge about your job, about upcoming technologies, to network with and learn from colleagues, and to stay abreast of changing legislation.

Fall Conference '11

Kansas APCO announced today that the 2011 Fall Conference will be held in Wichita, and hosted by Sedgwick County Emergency Communications and the Andover Police Department.

Check back at www.ksapco.net as dates and locations develop.

Spring Conference is winding down

The Spring Kansas APCO/KCJIS Conference is winding down.  Thanks to everyone who participated or instructed, and thanks to the conference host Shawnee County Sheriff's Office.  Check back for more information on the conference as well as photos of the event.

Department of Homeland Security issues new document

The Department of Homeland Security has issued "A Practical Guide to Narrowbanding".  The guide is one of many emergency communications resources available, including the NIFOG, the Plain Language Guide, and templates to help draft SOPS and MOUs.
The guide to narrowbanding, along with other resources, can be found at their website at http://www.dhs.gov/files/publications/gc_1285865538920.shtm. 

HAPPY NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK!

A salute to everyone who performs the duties of Public Safety Dispatching.  You are in an honorable profession, your work is critical, and you save countless lives every day.  Hats off to each of you.

April 10-16: National Telecommunicators Week

Next week is National Telecommunicators Week.  Two sources of information are http://ntw911.com/, and http://npstw.com/.  Hats off to all public safety dispatchers who give of themselves to serve their citizens.

April is National 9-1-1 Education Month

April is National 9-1-1 Education Month, a time to focus on public education about 9-1-1 and emergency communications systems.  There are many resources for information including http://psc.apcointl.org/2011/03/17/apco-international-featured-on-dr-oz-9-1-1-segment/,
http://www.e911institute.org/, and http://www.911forkids.com/. 

Tentative Conference Schedule posted

While it is always subject to last minute changes, the schedule for the Spring Conference has been posted.  The document shows class and meeting times, a list of general and breakout sessions, as well as instructor bios.  Remember, this is a combined KSAPCO and KCJIS Conference, and there is still time to register.  Visit the webpage at www.ksapco.net.

Vendors can now pay on-line

Vendors who have booths at the Spring Conference, or those who are sponsoring Kansas APCO can now pay on-line.  Visit the Spring Conference page at http://www.ksapco.net/.