Reporter’s Notebook
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International’s newly appointed Professional Communications Human Resource Taskforce (PRO-CHRT) will study the current status of training standards and certification requirements, retirement options, and other key human-resource issues related to public-safety communications professionals. Specifically, PRO-CHRT will identify the professional certification levels and minimum training requirements for public-safety communications professionals in the United States. In addition, the study will examine retirement benefits and the Fair Labor Standards Act as they pertain to compensation and scheduling.
APCO plans to use the PRO-CHRT study to develop a toolbox that also will include a synopsis of state labor laws, retirement benefits, training and certification requirements, sample legislation, and effective strategies to advocate for these issues.
Wireless Matrix has extended its contract with satellite service provider SkyTerra through 2012. The agreement allows Wireless Matrix to provide its existing satellite data communication services via SkyTerra’s planned next-generation satellite network. Wireless Matrix’s satellite customers will continue to receive satellite communication service without interruption.
U.S. Army Communication and Electronics Command (CECOM) has selected Codan US Inc., Military and Security Division, to provide $5 million of high-frequency manpack radios and base stations for use by the Afghan National Police. The radio systems will be used for internal policing operations and in-country security as well as other communications purposes countrywide.
The Bahamas Telecommunications Co. has selected Comptel Corp. Dynamic Operations Support System (OSS) software to bridge its new IP-based platform with its billing support system.