Updates

APCO Institute Releases New Fire Service Dispatch Guidecards

March 29, 2007, Daytona Beach, FL - APCO Institute today announced the debut of their newest offering - Fire Service Dispatch Guidecards. The Fire Service Dispatch Guidecards, based on APCO Institute's Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) Program, provides agencies with guidecards for the triaging and dispatching of fire service related emergency calls, customized to match the needs and resources of the individual agency. The new Fir e Service Dispatch Guidecards use the fire service specific information and call handling techniques taught in the APCO Institute's Fire Service Communications, 1st Edition training course and incorporates information provided by subject matter experts from the fire service and the public safety communications industry. Call types covered by these new guidecards - available in paper guidecards and electronic format - range from commercial and residential structure fires to hazardous material (HAZMAT) incidents and explosive devices. "APCO Institute's new Fire Service Dispatch Guidecards provide one more tool for today's public safety telecommunicator," APCO Institute Director Julie Troutman said. "The added advantage of being able to customize these guidecards ensures agencies are providing the highest level of service possible to the citizens of the jurisdictions they serve." For more information on the new Fire Service Dispatch Guidecards visit www.apcoinstitute.org. About APCO Institute APCO Institute, a subsidiary of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International, is the premier organization addressing educational and certification needs of public safety communications agencies. The Institute offers a selection of affordable training and educational resources for public safety communicators throughout the United States and in the international arena. Instructional offerings range from first-line basic training to supervisory, and communication center management courses, technical testing, agency and agent certification, and Web Seminars addressing current public safety communications issues. APCO Institute offers several training options including certification programs through traditional room instruction and APCO Institute Online internet-based training. APCO Virtual College, a cooperative eff ort be tween APCO Institute and the Institute for Emergency Preparedness (IEP) offers a degree program in Public Safety Communications. APCO Virtual College is an internet-based distance learning academic program designed for, and directed specifically toward individuals in the public safety communication. For more information, visit www.apcoinstitute.org. About APCO International The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to the enhancement of public safety communications. APCO International serves the professional needs of its 15,000 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.apcointl.org.