FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Courtney McCarron

202.833.9600

mccarronc@apco911.org

APCO RELEASES REVISION OF P33 STANDARD

August 25, 2004, Washington, DC - The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International announced today the release of the revision to its Project 33 - Minimum Training Standards for Public Safety Telecommunicators. This year-long effort by the APCO International Call Center Standards Committee culminated in formal approval of the revised standard by the APCO International Executive Council on August 7 in Montreal.

APCO Project 33 identifies the minimum training requirements for public safety telecommunications officers, telecommunicators, call takers and/or dispatchers. The standard specifies the minimum training requirements in general of all personnel assigned to any public safety communications function and recognizes the need to supplement these basic competencies with agency-specific information and existing equipment-use parameters, as revised.

The revision to Project 33 is in response to the valid needs of public safety telecommunicators, dealing with the rapidly expanding and ever changing service environment. It was recognized that the industry has changed, that calls arrive from a variety of sources and that public expectation and agency user requirements have changed dramatically. Also changed is the technology used to complete the mission. The dynamic nature of the public safety telecommunications industry is now reflected in the revised standards.

"I congratulate the committee for the methodical approach it has taken to ensure that the APCO Minimum Training Standards for Public Safety Telecommunicators maintains its position of credibility as the most widely adopted training requirements in our industry," APCO International President Greg Ballentine said.

About APCO International(tm)

The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International, Inc. is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to the enhancement of public safety communications. APCO serves the professional needs of its 17,000 members worldwide by creating a platform for setting professional standards, addressing professional issues and providing education, products and services for people who manage, operate, maintain and supply the communications systems used by police, fire and emergency medical dispatch agencies throughout the world. For more information, visit www.apco911.org.

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