APCO International Collaborates With Other Public Safety Communications Organizations on Minimum Training Guidelines for Telecommunicators

Alexandria, VA - This week an update to the Recommended Minimum Training Guidelines for Telecommunicators was published after three years of collaboration from several national, regional and state 9-1-1 organizations and agencies. Building on the inaugural 2016 guidelines, this effort focused on better equipping 9-1-1 personnel for their expanding and evolving job functions.

The newly revised guidelines elevate the recommendations regarding minimum training and address changes in the public safety communications industry and provide a consistent baseline for telecommunicator training across the United States. The minimum training framework outlines several core categories including, roles and responsibilities, legal concepts, interpersonal communications, emergency communications technology, call processing, emergency management, radio communication, stress management, quality assurance and on-the-job training.

"The publishing of these guidelines is the culmination of three years of hard work from the public safety communications community," explained Jack Varnado, president of APCO International. "Together these organizations lent their unique perspectives and expertise to compile a document that will better support public safety telecommunicators as their role continues to evolve with today's technology."

While the training is not federally mandated, it is collaboratively formulated by subject matter experts and serves as a foundation for professional development.

APCO International® (www.apcointl.org)

APCO International is the world's oldest and largest organization of public safety communications professionals and supports the largest U.S. membership base of any public safety association. 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.