APCO

APCO stands for the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International. It is a professional association dedicated to advancing public-safety communications and emergency response capabilities. Founded in 1935 by public-safety radio officials, APCO is an international organization with members that include public-safety agencies, first responders, communications professionals, and vendors. It is headquartered in the United States and serves members worldwide.

APCO’s work centers on standards, best practices, and knowledge sharing to improve incident communications, radio interoperability, and 9-1-1 processes. Its most widely recognized initiative is the APCO Project 25 (P25) suite, a set of open digital radio standards used by many public-safety agencies in North America to enable interoperable communications. APCO also engages in efforts related to Next Generation 9-1-1 and data-enabled emergency services, often in collaboration with other industry groups such as NENA.

In addition to standards development, APCO provides education, training, and certification for public-safety communications professionals. It publishes technical guidance, bulletins, and journals, and operates professional development programs. APCO also hosts the annual APCO Conference & Expo, a major industry event that features training sessions, exhibits, and networking opportunities for practitioners and vendors.

Governance and participation are organized through a network of local chapters and international members, with volunteer leadership at the local, regional, and global levels. APCO emphasizes collaboration, professional development, and the advancement of effective, interoperable communications to support public safety. Note: APCO International is distinct from APCO Worldwide, a separate communications consulting firm.