APCO Updates Position on Smartphone Apps

After two days of presentations and panel discussion at its annual Emerging Technology Forum, the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) has updated its policy on smartphone apps, and positioned itself as a app clearinghouse. The new policy is focused on, “a diverse, practitioner-driven public safety app ecosystem fostered through the collaborative efforts of public safety professionals and app developers.” It also recognizes that scores of apps are being developed by companies and groups that have no public safety experience or expertise, leading to some that might be ineffective or even contrary to current practices among public safety comm centers. The Emerging Technology Forum was held in Anaheim (Calif.) last week and covered NG911, SMS911, cybersecurity and other topics. Several sessions touched on smartphone apps, prompting APCO’s updated policy. “APCO’s technical resources, experience as an ANSI standards-setting body and expertise in public safety communications position the organization to serve a central role in fostering a vibrant environment for public safety app development,” APCO President Terry Hall said in a press release. Download (pdf) the full position statement on smartphone apps here, and read information about three apps that APCO believes, “exemplify the boundless scope of features and functionalities that will benefit public safety.”