Ep 65: British APCO - Working in partnership to improve public safety technology

In this episode, we dive deep into the unique contributions and ongoing efforts of British APCO (Association of Public Safety Communications Officials) within the critical communications industry. Our guest, Duncan Swan, is the Chief Operating Officer at British APCO, with 40 years' experience in public safety technology, focusing on strategic and technical advancements in emergency communications.

The conversation touches on:The Significance of British APCO Events: British APCO’s annual event serves as a critical networking and collaboration opportunity for stakeholders across public safety agencies, technology vendors, and operators. Duncan explains how these events set the tone for industry-wide innovations and knowledge sharing.
British APCO’s Role and Mission: Celebrating over 30 years since its founding, British APCO remains committed to fostering advancements in emergency services technology. As an independent charity, British APCO champions improved emergency services and communication technologies that support both frontline responders and the general public.
Key Focus Areas:Next Generation Communications (NG999): Duncan discusses British APCO’s work on implementing NG999 in the UK, aiming to improve public safety through advanced data and video-sharing capabilities.
AI Integration in Public Safety: British APCO is exploring AI applications for improving call response times, non-emergency call handling, and monitoring call quality for training and support.
Emergency Services Network (ESN): Updates on the UK’s progress with ESN, which will provide a secure and interoperable network to enhance critical communications for emergency responders.

International Collaboration through CC:IPS: British APCO’s collaboration with international public safety organizations such as the Collaborative Coalition for International Public Safety (CC:IPS) provides a platform for global knowledge exchange. This coalition helps UK agencies learn from advancements in public safety technology and protocols in other countries, such as AI use in the US and next-gen emergency response systems in Canada and Europe.
The Path Forward for British APCO: Duncan highlights British APCO’s dedication to data-driven decision-making and supporting agencies through effective technology integration. The organization aims to enhance interoperability among UK emergency services and ensure they’re equipped with the best tools to make timely, informed decisions.
Learn more about BAPCO here: https://www.bapco.org.uk/

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