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ANSI APPROVES SERVICE CAPABILITY CRITERIA RATING SCALE
August 3, 2010, Houston, Texas – The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) released the second version of an American National Standard (ANS) to assist public safety answering point (PSAP) managers and their governing authorities to identify their current level of service capability.
APCO/NENA ANS 1.102.2-2010: PSAP-Service Capability Criteria Rating Scale is an assessment tool that facilitates an objective review of the current capabilities of the PSAP against models representing the best level of preparedness, survivability and sustainability amidst a wide range of natural and man-made events. The self-evaluation assessment tool provides the basis for discussion with funding bodies concerning the PSAP status in regard to their current technological position and readiness or effectiveness to survive certain risks associated with local vulnerabilities. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved this ANS on July 28.
"The decimated communications infrastructure the Haitian 7.0 earthquake caused earlier this year is one example of why PSAPs must be able to survive during disasters in order to provide the public with the emergency services they need when they need them most," APCO International President Richard Mirgon said. "This standard allows them to assess their capabilities prior to an event to ensure the highest level of preparedness and response to the safety and security needs of the public."
"While the initial focus of our original joint work identified certain essential elements when considering PSAP survivability, this revision addresses day-to-day elements as well," NENA President Stephen O'Conor said. "This scale may be adapted as a self-evaluation tool or may be used by an outside entity to conduct a neutral evaluation of the current level of service capability."
The new version of the ANS can be downloaded at http://www.apcointl.com/new/commcenter911/APCOstandards.php or at the APCO International 76th Annual Conference and Exposition in Houston, Texas in the Public Safety Solutions Center. Communications Restoration in Haiti is a Featured Presentation today at the conference, focusing on the status and reconstitution of 114 emergency call services and emergency communications to Haitian National Police following the earthquake this year. For more information on the conference, visit www.apco2010.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.
About the National Emergency Number Association
NENA serves the public safety community as the only professional organization solely focused on 9-1-1 policy, technology, operations, and education issues. With more than 7,000 members in 48 chapters across the United States and around the globe, NENA promotes the implementation and awareness 9-1-1 and international three-digit emergency communications systems. NENA works with public policy leaders, emergency services and telecommunications industry partners, like-minded public safety associations, and other stakeholder groups to develop and carry out critical programs and initiatives, to facilitate the creation of an IP-based Next Generation 9-1-1 system, and to establish industry leading standards, training, and certifications. Find out more at www.nena.org.
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