We're anxious to hear what FCC Chair Michael Powell has to say during the panel session Monday morning-- there are so many topics that are pending before the FCC, and so many inter-related with other issues: digital TV and cellular being the most pressing.
We're also awaiting any announcements on public safety issues that the FCC traditionally tries to release during the week of APCO. Lots of Orders and Petitions are pending-- we can't guess what will make the news.
Sam Donaldson taking questions!? That'll be a twist. Sam's catch-phrase with those he interviews is, "Hold on...", usually uttered after a particular interesting statement by the interviewee, and followed by Sam's pointed follow-up question.
A local controversy involves the release of a man who confessed in 1976 to murdering a police office in 1974. State law was changed in 1979 to allow murders parole. Off. Ronald Manley confronted two burglars at 4:30 a.m., ordered them to drop their guns, and then was shot as he reached into his patrol car to radio for assistance. IPD officers apparently did not carry portable radios in 1974.
Indianapolis area law enforcement agencies are trying out a new tactic: putting up "Roadblock Ahead" signs, then watching to see who makes a U-turn. They don't actually set up a roadblock, but this technique apparently catches drug runners using I-65 from the south.
A recent USA Today newspaper investigation found many fire and EMS agencies don't track response time-- including Indianapolis. But IFD and Wishard Hopsital will install an automated system soon, officials say, to help determine better ways of responding to EMS calls, and to reduce the 850 deaths a year from cardiac arrest.
Association of
Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO)
2003 Annual Conference
Preview
It's "Back Home Again In Indiana" for anyone who attended the NENA conference in "Nap Town" last year, and the themes of homeland security, interoperability, and staffing continue to take the spotlight. Each of these topics will be covered in seminars and panel discussions during the four-day annual conference.As usual, the conference is also the One Big Place to meet with other public safety communications professionals who are sharing the same problems and, hopefully, some solutions. Networking is name of the game for each and every APCO conference.
Continue to check our homepage for the link to daily, on-scene updates from the conference, and all the news that we uncover.
Keynote
FCC Chair Michael Powell will give a special address to APCO attendees during the FCC Regulatory Review Panel on Monday at 1 p.m. Powell joined the Commission in 1997, and has presided over some of the most crucial--and controversial--communications issues in the nation's history.
APCO has also booked ABC reporter and commentator Sam Donaldson to present an opening session speech on Monday morning. Donaldson has been an pointed inquirer during his since 1977, and has faced down many U.S. Presidents and other politicians. After his speech, he'll be taking questions from the audience--sort of like being on the opposite side of a press conference.
APCO has posted a list of conference highlights, and educational sessions.
Panel Discussions
APCO will host panel discussions during the week on:
- interoperability
- National Public Safety Telecommunication Council operations
- the Commission on Law Enforcement Accreditation process
Conference Sessions
APCO's educational sessions include all phases of comm center operations, from technical to non-technical topics:
- wireless data, including the CDPD shut-down and alternative networks
- interoperability, including technical and "human" solutions
- telematics, how it works and how calls are handled
- wireless 911, including Phase I/II, working with carriers, and handling calls
- staffing, from recruiting, to training and retention
- homeland security, including general approaches, APCO's work, and TSP
- radio technology, basic subjects for dispatchers, and advanced topics for technicians (software defined radio, in-building coverage, Project 25, 3G technology)
Trade Show
We've never received so many pre-show postcards, brochures and e-mail messages-- and many of the companies are not ones we've previously seen interested in the public safety market. We can only assume the exhibit hall will be filled with booths and there will be lots of activity. Here are some of the companies that contacted us (drawings may include certain conditions):
PowerPhone will show their Total Response, computer-aided call handling product, which has taken three years to develop. It provides an integrated and systematic approach to emergency call handling. They're also offering a drawing for an Xbox game machine at booth #329.
Software developeor TriTech Software Systems may have a huge crowd--they're offering free rides on a Segway personal transportation device at booth #235. They'll also be showing the VisiNET Mobile data software.
Omaha-based Adesta said in a letter that it's "an infrastructure provider," and offered more information on the company as "a single point of contact to integrate, manage, design, engineer, construct, operate and maintain a system tailored to your needs."
Nice Systems Inc. offers a chance to win a PDA at booth #1205, where they'll be showing their line of digital logging recorders.
Allen Telecom is now part of Andrew Corporation, and will be at booth #2030 and #1544 showing their, "full line of advanced wireless technology products and system solutions.
Radio manufacturer EFJ will be at booth #1133 showing their products, which includes voice-over IP based infrastructure and multi-protocol subscriber products.
CritiCall will be at booth #1123 showing their dispatcher/calltaker pre-employment skills testing software, and will also offer a drawing for a $100 gift certificate from the airline of your choice.
Honeywell Batteries offers replacements for 2-way radios, wireless phones and other portable devices, and they'll be at booth #142.
Bird Electronic Corp. and TX RX Systems Inc. will be giving technical training presentations at booth #523 that last 15-20 minutes and cover signal boosters, RF antenna and cable testing and other topics.
Radio Satellite Integrators, Inc. offers mobile data using any type of wireless link (radio, cellular, GPRS, etc.). We don't know what booth they're staffing, but check their Web site for more info.
Genicom offers "critical response printing systems" for firefighting or other agencies, with easy-to-read print-outs that organize information for quick reading. They're at booth #232.
Lockheed Martin will be at booth #2430 explaining their management and data systems for public safety and criminal justice applications.
Smartlink Radio Networks Inc. will be at booth #2423 showing their interoperability solutions, which allow communications on different radio systems using different protocols.
Wright-Line will display their line of furniture and accessories, what they call "technical environment solutions," and also offer a drawing to win an ergonomic chair at booth #2447.
EADS Telecom will offer a chance to win a Sony Clie PDA at booth #1923, and also explain their digital radio networks.
Datamaxx Group will show the complete line of their mobile data solutions, including handheld access to law enforcement databases, at booth #229.
Dictaphone is showing their line of digital logging recorders at booth #1439, and also offers a drawing for a digital camera.
After Hours
At Tuesday night's traditional event, APCO has booked country music signer Lorrie Morgan for, "A Night at the Races" celebration.
The Indianapolis Fire Department maintains a streaming, RealAudio version of its radio broadcasts. For other public safety radio frequencies, consult the IndyScan Web site, which is quite comprehensive.
The City
Indianapolis is the crossroads of America, and it seems everyone has indeed crossed into the city: NENA attendees, soccer and basketball tournament players and tourists from everyone. It certainly makes for a dynamic and interesting town.
In the 1970s and 1980s the city poured millions of redevelopment dollars into its downtown area after, like many cities, the inner city began to decay. The city took the do-nothing, going-nowhere White River and gave it a make-over. They linked it up with the adjacent, 1893-era barge canal and some bridges, and meandered it all through a huge complex of new buildings, including a new zoo, an arts museum, the NCAA headquarters and Hall of Fame, a baseball park, a domed stadium, a convention center and a handful of large hotels. The result is a downtown that almost never sleeps and a list of events that never ends.
The city is centered around Monument Circle, which features the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. There is an impressive War Memorial nearby, and over-street Artsgarden where piano concerts are held.
Check the official Indianapolis city Web site for more information.