by AllThingsECC.com | Aug 16, 2018 | Articles, Comm Center News
The Automated Secure Alarm Protocol Goes Live at its 40th Location
Alpharetta, Ga. has become the 40th public-safety answering point (PSAP) in the United States to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP) program and the first agency in the state of Georgia to use it. Georgia is the 13th state, in addition to the District of Columbia, to participate in the ASAP program.
The Alpharetta PSAP, which also dispatches for Milton, Ga., is currently operational with ADS Security in Nashville, Tyco, Rapid Response Monitoring, Vector Security, Protection One, Central Security, Guardian Protection Services, Affiliated Monitoring, Brinks, ESC Central and Vivint.
Security Central and ADT will be live with Alpharetta within the next few weeks.
“The City of Alpharetta is excited and honored to be the first agency in the state of Georgia to implement the ASAP program,” said Ben Bolin, Alpharetta Police Department’s 9-1-1 operations manager.
“In addition to the alarm companies currently participating with Alpharetta, ASAP is expected to be the catalyst to encourage participation by local alarm companies in the ASAP program. The ASAP program is state-of-the art technology by fully automating the delivery of alarm notifications to Alpharetta’s emergency communications center within seconds from alarm monitoring companies without having to make a telephone call.”
by AllThingsECC.com | Aug 6, 2018 | Articles, Comm Center News
NICE announces the recipients of its 2018 PSAPs’ Finest Awards, a recognition program for emergency communications professionals, now in its 13th year
HOBOKEN, N.J., August 6, 2018 — (BUSINESS WIRE)–NICE (Nasdaq: NICE) will recognize the recipients of its 2018 PSAPs’ Finest Awards today in a special ceremony in Booth #529 at the APCO 2018 Annual Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. The PSAPs’ Finest awards is a long-standing Public Safety recognition program sponsored by NICE. Awards are presented annually to winners in seven categories: Director, Line Supervisor, Technician, Trainer, Telecommunicator, Innovator and PSAP of the Year.
Over the last thirteen years that the program has been in existence, it has continued to expand and grow, with dozens of individuals receiving awards. Winners are selected by an independent panel of volunteer judges from the 9-1-1 community, who evaluate nominees based on their accomplishments, skills and service to community.
“With this year being the 50th anniversary of 9-1-1, I’m especially honored and humbled to recognize eight outstanding individuals and PSAPs who model the mission of 9-1-1 every day,” said John Rennie, General Manager of the NICE Public Safety group. “Much has changed in emergency communications over the last five decades, but it’s abundantly clear from this group that the commitment and dedication of those who work in 9-1-1 is as steadfast as ever.”
This year’s PSAPs’ Finest award recipients are:
* PSAP of the Year – Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Communication Bureau;
* Director of the Year – Liane Scharnott, Communications Center Director, Bayside Communications Center, Bayside, Wisconsin;
* Line Supervisor of the Year – Elli D. Childs, 911 Public Safety Supervisor 2, Pinellas County Regional 911, Largo, Florida;
* Technician of the Year – Brad Coffey. Section Chief – Infrastructure Support. Missouri State Highway Patrol, Jefferson City, Missouri;
* Telecommunicator of the Year – Ryan Culver, Telecommunicator, Ottawa County Central Dispatch Authority, West Olive, MI;
* Innovator of the Year – Shawn Shear, ENP, Communications Center Manager, Thornton 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Center, Thornton, Colorado;
* Trainer of the Year (two-way tie) – John Halaychik III, Professional Development Coordinator, Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response, Ithaca, NY (and) Sandy Swartz, Emergency Complaint Writer, St. Petersburg Police Department, St. Petersburg, Florida.
The PSAPs’ Finest Awards Program is made possible by 9-1-1 professionals who volunteer their time to serve as judges.
Anthony Castillo, ENP, Manager, Emergency Communications, Norfolk, Virginia, said the selections were not easy.
“It has truly been my honor sitting on the panel for NICE’s 2018 PSAP’s Finest Awards. The ‘hero’s work’ these dedicated men and women do every day is nothing short of outstanding,” Castillo said. “The award submissions we review make it difficult to select only one person or agency. Congratulation to those selected and nominated! Truly hero’s all!”
Panel member Shinar Haynes, Executive Director, Tarrant County 9-1-1 District (Fort Worth, Texas), said the 9-1-1 professionals are often overlooked.
“Although they’re a vital link in the public safety cycle, 9-1-1 professionals are not often recognized for their hard work, dedication, and selflessness. Still, these ‘heroes under the headset’ deal with everyone’s worst day, hour, or moment, while helping keep first responders safe,” Haynes said. “The PSAPs’ Finest nominations reflected this self-sacrificing spirit while also highlighting the importance of leadership, technology and training.”
Alphonso Dale, IT Project Manager, Information Technology Division, of Newport News, Virginia, said he was honored to be part of the selection panel. He noted that the awards honor behind-the-scenes work in public safety.
“This year’s selection process was very difficult as each nominee brought unique qualities to the profession,” Dale said.
Daniel R. Koenig, ENP, 9-1-1 Planning Coordinator, Palm Beach County (Florida) Public Safety Department 9-1-1 Technical Services, was also a member of the selection committee.
“9-1-1 professionals are the first access point for the public into the emergency services system. The initial contact often sets the tone for incidents and communications personnel often go unnoticed for the vital role they play,” Koenig said.
Nominations for the 2019 PSAPs’ Finest Awards will open in January 2019. More information can be obtained on the PSAPs’ Finest website or by emailing [email protected].
About NICE
NICE (Nasdaq:NICE) is the worldwide leading provider of both cloud and on-premises enterprise software solutions that empower organizations to make smarter decisions based on advanced analytics of structured and unstructured data. NICE helps organizations of all sizes deliver better customer service, ensure compliance, combat fraud and safeguard citizens. Over 25,000 organizations in more than 150 countries, including over 85 of the Fortune 100 companies, are using NICE solutions. www.nice.com.
by AllThingsECC.com | Aug 4, 2018 | Articles, Comm Center News
By Claire Foster
Originally published in the July/August 2018 issue of APCO’s PSC magazine.
For access to PSC magazine and more articles like this one, please log in or become an APCO member.
APCO International’s Annual Conference and Expo will arrive faster than you think. This year, the conference takes place in Las Vegas from August 5 to 8 at the Venetian-Palazzo Hotel’s Sands Expo Convention Center. 
Whether it’s your first year attending the APCO conference or your first time on any exhibit floor, you need to be prepared for the event. EagleView has exhibited at the APCO annual conference several times, showcasing the many uses of our Pictometry® imagery for public safety agencies. Here are a few of the lessons we’ve learned over the years from our experience on the exhibit floor:
1. Know your way around the exhibit floor. Most, if not all, conferences will publish a map of the expo hall before the event begins. Pay attention to your location on the map to see how attendees may approach your booth. Take advantage of nearby displays. So much is happening on the exhibit floor that can drive traffic your way. Some exhibitors will bring K-9 units and vehicles to the show. If you happen to be near those booths, these can be great conversation starters with attendees.
2. Pay attention to the agenda. The agenda for APCO’s annual conference is set up to optimize vendors’ time on the exhibit floor. It includes plenty of opportunities for attendees to check out the exhibits and meet with new and current vendors. Whether exhibiting by yourself or in a group, the agenda can help you predict when attendees might visit your booth. Ensure your booth is properly staffed during these times.
3. Show up to attendee events. EagleView uses attendee events to interact with customers and prospects in a more casual environment. The event’s organizers always pick great locations for the event. Last year’s event was in Denver, and this year’s event takes place in Las Vegas. This location is sure to draw plenty of customers and prospects for you to meet with.
4. Consider becoming a sponsor. As a sponsor in 2017, EagleView attended the award ceremony and sponsors’ reception the show’s
organizers put on. You might think that just because the event is only for sponsors it won’t bring you any connections. However, this portion of the conference offers ample networking opportunities with APCO leadership and other industry partners. This is just one of the many added benefits of becoming a sponsor.
5. Develop a goal for the event. Sure, you probably already know how important this is, but it bears repeating. Make sure you are clear on why you are exhibiting at the conference and what you plan to get out of it. Some questions you might ask yourself and your team include:
- How many leads do we want to collect?
- What products or services do we want to feature at our booth?
- Will we interview any existing customers to create case studies or
other content?
- How will we communicate with leads during and after the show?
You’ll also want to consider which segments of the public safety industry you want to reach. The good news is that the conference
attracts a wide variety of attendees, including personnel from 9-1-1 communications centers, and sheriff and fire departments,
among others.
No matter what goals you set, make sure your booth has all the resources you need. Be sure to schedule staff, bring any necessary
collateral, and demo your most in-demand solutions in order to meet—and exceed—your goals.
By being prepared ahead of time, you can ensure APCO International’s Annual Conference and Expo is a success for your
sales team.
Claire Foster is Senior Marketing Manager, EagleView.
