APCO Preshow
The day terrorists attacked the United States changed everyone in America. It also changed public safety communications’ attention to preparation and its approach to potential, similar situations. This year’s APCO International Conference & Exposition reflects those changes in its conference agenda as more sessions cover homeland security and terrorism. APCO also stays with some basics of mobile radio communications and the operations of 9-1-1 centers. Once again, the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials — International brings the world of critical communications together on Aug. 11-15, 2002, in Nashville, Tenn.
APCO SuperSessions focus on events of Sept. 11
The Conference Committee, in cooperation with the APCO International staff, has designed a series of super sessions to deal with the historic and tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001. The sessions will enable the agencies involved to tell their stories directly to APCO members, according to APCO’s conference agenda and registration information booklet. Expanded times and facilities have been arranged to allow representatives from New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania to share the challenges faced and lessons learned. Also scheduled to appear is Jim Hall, former chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, who will offer a unique insight into the critical issues that we all face.
An update of APCO’s own homeland security intitiatives will be provided.
John Sununu to chair APCO town hall meeting
John Sununu, former New Hampshire governor and White House chief of staff to former President George Bush will chair a “town hall meeting” at the opening session on Monday, Aug. 12.
The town hall meeting will continue APCO’s engagement and dialogue on issues affecting public safety communications and homeland security and will follow APCO’s Homeland Security Summit held in June in Washington.
As a follow-up to the summit, APCO said that it would be releasing a white paper at the conference. The white paper “will be designed to provide clear direction to legislators and policy makers who are crafting new laws to improve America’s homeland security.”
A recently released APCO survey of public safety officials showed that 58 percent of public safety communicators consider funding to be the most significant barrier to meeting homeland security needs. APCO will present strategies in the white paper for local, state and federal jurisdictions responsible for public safety funding.
Additional public safety leaders will be added as participants of the town hall meeting.
Schedule at a glance
Sunday, Aug. 11
7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Golf tournament
8 a.m.-5 p.m. AFC advisor refresher training
Noon.-4 p.m. Exhibitor booth selection appointments
Noon.-9 p.m. Registration
7 p.m.-11 p.m. Attendee welcome reception
Monday, Aug. 12
7 a.m.-7 p.m. Registration
8 a.m.-5 p.m. AFC advisor refresher training
8 a.m.-8:45 a.m. New attendee orientation
8 a.m.-3 p.m. Exhibitor booth selection appointments
9 a.m.-11 a.m. Opening general session/town hall meeting
12:30 p.m.-4:15 p.m. Concurrent sessions
5 p.m.-7 p.m. Exhibitor wine & cheese reception
Tuesday, Aug. 13
7 a.m.-5 p.m. Registration
8 a.m.-9:30 a.m. First general business session/awards
8 a.m.-5 p.m. AFC advisor refresher training
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Exhibitor booth selection appointments
9:30 a.m. Grand opening of exhibits
9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Exclusive exhibit hours
1:30 p.m.-4:15 p.m. Concurrent sessions
6:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Grand Ole APCO Night
Wednesday, Aug. 14
7 a.m.-5 p.m. Registration
8 a.m.-5 p.m. AFC advisor refresher training
8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Exhibits open
10 a.m.-11:45 a.m. Concurrent sessions
Noon-2 p.m. Past presidents/life members luncheon
Noon-2 p.m. Chapter presidents/secretaries luncheon
1:45 p.m.-3:15 p.m. APCO SuperSession
Thursday, Aug. 15
7 a.m.-10 a.m. Registration
8 a.m.-5 p.m. AFC adviser refresher training
8 a.m.-9:45 a.m. Concurrent sessions
8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Corporate advisory committee meeting
10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. APCO SuperSession
1 p.m.-1:45 p.m. Concurrent sessions
2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. APCO SuperSession
6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Closing reception
7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Closing banquet
