Professional Memberships

[MrJim911]

Does anyone here belong to APCO, NENA or any other professional 911 organization? I belong to APCO myself. If you joined did your agency cover the sign up cost and do they cover the annual membership fees?

[Duckie911]

Mr Jim -
I don't belong to any of those - but my agency would not cover squat, nada, ziltch, ohh-gotz. They don't even send us to schools or classes that would help us do a beter dispatching job. :mad:

[KYEMT325]

I am a new member of KENA/APCO myself (KENA being the Kentucky Emergency Numbering Assoc). Matter of fact, my agency sponsors the state KENA/APCO website on the University's website (until they can get their own domain).

Membership costs are covered by the employee, if we want something (other than training which the state makes us go to thank God), we have to get it ourselves cause no one else is going to offer to get us there.

[DispNowCopL8r]

MrJim911,
I have never heard of any of these enlighten me please.

[MrJim911]

Wow! Never heard of them? Where do I begin? (APCO) The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials - International, Inc. - APCO International - is the world's oldest and largest not-for-profit professional organization dedicated to the enhancement of public safety communications. APCO, I believe, has about 20,000 members internationally. Go here and it'll answer any questions you might have. http://www.apcointl.org/

NENA is the National Emergency Number Association.
NENA's mission is to foster the technological advancement, availability, and implementation of a universal emergency telephone number system. In carrying out its mission, NENA promotes research, planning, training and education. The protection of human life, the preservation of property and the maintenance of general community security are among NENA's objectives.
http://www.nena9-1-1.org/

I highly advise anyone who plans on making a career out of 911 dispatching to join these 2 orginizations.

[DispNowCopL8r]

Yeah I'm pretty suprised too! I think I might have heard of APCO before, but but are new to me, didn't know there was something I could join like that for this job...thanks for the info, I'll look into it.

[ladymoonlite]

APCO is a very worthwhile organization. They are involved in training, legislation, sharing information of all kinds and promoting Telecommunications in general. Membership is covered by the city for Supervisory staff here, but I'd continue my membership at my own cost if it wasn't. As a matter of fact I wouldn't have this job now if it weren't for APCO!

[Lupey]

Originally posted by Duckie911
but my agency would not cover squat, nada, ziltch, ohh-gotz. They don't even send us to schools or classes that would help us do a beter dispatching job. :mad:

We must work for the Same Depart :D

[JazznDBluz]

Jim ~

I'm a member of APCO, and yes, our memberships are all paid for by the department. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to attend any of the banquets/meetings/seminars that are held, but hope to in the near future.


Suz

[MrJim911]

Suz,

For the past 2 years I've attended the APCO/NENA/ICC Conference in Illinois. Last year it was held in Springfield (our Capital). It's a great time and you learn alot. Not to mention all the food is free, paid by the department! Our Director usually takes about 3 of us. I can't wait till October of this year to go again. :bounce:

[tuesjinx911]

The agency I am with covers the memberships for all shift supervisors, some training officers, and the operation coordinator. Our director is a past president of the Virginia chapter of APCO. Two of our training officers have taught classes at several APCO conventions.

[MrJim911]

Another co-worker and I are trying to put together a class that we could teach at the Illinois Conference in a few a years. It'll probably cover educating the public on 911/how to start such a program. This has been named by APCO as one of the problems for the lack of recognition for what we do and there are currently no good mass public education programs out there that I'm aware of. So we'll probably start local and see what kind of response we get as far as attendance, etc... And we'll go from there.

[ladymoonlite]

Jim, I'm interested! I agree with you, there's not much public ed out there, except the small portion of what goes out to young schoolchildren. We all know, however, that THE SEVEN YEAR OLD CAN BE THE BEST CALLER! They're usually easier to deal with than the 17 yr old or the 70 yr old!

Let me know if you decide to start a program locally - maybe we can collaborate?

[MrJim911]

I most certainly will contact you. This is in it's early stages and were still working on the outline of how a class such as this one would progress. But maybe by this summer or fall we'll be ready to give it a try at a local town meeting type setting. I'll keep you updated!

[JazznDBluz]

Hey Jimbo! ~

I sure envy you.. I've been tryin' to get to an APCO meeting ever since I've been in law enforcement, and I started dispatching in 1996. So, you can see why I'm hoping to finally be able to attend the next one!

Take care!

:hustle: :hustle: :hustle: :hustle: :hustle: :hustle: :hustle:

[MrJim911]

I wish you luck Suz, the seminars can be alot of fun and very educational. Also a great place to meet new people.

[Lynn]

The Village of Oak Lawn's 9-1-1 Communications Center, the center of dispatch interest to me has a site. For some reason, I could not get the link to this site :( . It states in the information on the site, given to the public, that they are active in NENA and APCO. I have read the information on both, and they seem like essential tools. As far as who pays for membership, the site does not state who is responsible. If I knew how to get the link to this site I would.
:confused: It says on the site that NENA is holding it's annual conference June 16-20 2002 in Indianapolis, IN. APCO is having it's annual Conference and Exposition in Nashville, TN, Aug 11-15 2002. If anyone could tell me how to get these links on this thread because they would like more information, I'd be more than happy to put them here.
Lynn

[MrJim911]

The site for Oak Lawn is http://www.villageofoaklawn.com/

You can access the 911 center over on the left hand side.

The sites for NENA and APCO are:

http://www.nena9-1-1.org/

http://www.apcointl.org/

[ladymoonlite]

What timing! I just received info that Wisconsin APCO is hosting the 2002 North Central Regional conference & Exposition (the Moospaper came out today!)

I haven't checked the website, but they say updated information is available at www.apco2002.com