Anaheim, CA – Today, the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International to work cooperatively to foster and promote useful and effective mobile applications (apps) for public safety and emergency response purposes.
Through the MOU, the parties intend to assist each other to identify recommended or vetted public safety or emergency response-related apps and share feedback on how apps are making a difference for public safety or could be improved. The parties will also collaborate on ways to encourage the public safety community, the general public and the technology sector to visit AppComm, participate in focus groups, and respond to related information requests issued by FirstNet.
"We are excited that APCO is continuing to support FirstNet and our goal to provide the best applications to police officers, firefighters and paramedics," said TJ Kennedy, FirstNet Deputy General Manager.
APCO President Terry Hall said, “We remain very committed to encouraging innovation in public safety app development, including with AppComm, APCO’s public safety app website. All along, we have been planning to help complement FirstNet’s own efforts related to apps for first responders.”
APCO First Vice President Gigi Smith added, “We are already learning valuable information due to the success and popularity of AppComm, which led to our recent identification document entitled Key Attributes of Effective Apps for Public Safety and Emergency Response. Thus, we are excited to build upon this success and work with FirstNet to promote the most effective apps for public safety and emergency response.”
About FirstNet
FirstNet will provide emergency responders with the first high-speed, nationwide network dedicated to public safety. FirstNet is designed to improve communication among local, state, regional, tribal and national emergency services personnel. The broadband data network will help save lives and protect the health and safety of all Americans. It will be built using LTE, the most advanced wireless technology available today. FirstNet fulfills a fundamental need of the public safety community for a single, mission-critical communications system enabling force multiplier effectiveness. Overseen by representatives of public safety, government and the wireless industry, FirstNet is an independent entity within the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (www.firstnet.gov).
APCO International™ (www.apcointl.org)
APCO International is the world’s largest organization of public safety communications professionals. It serves the needs of public safety communications practitioners worldwide - and the welfare of the general public as a whole – by providing complete expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach.