APCO Seeks Volunteers for Emergency Communications Data Standard
The proposed standard would set technology-neutral criteria for information used in emergency communications decisions.
- By Danielle Naidu
- Oct 05, 2026
As emergency communications centers receive more data from connected systems, APCO International is seeking volunteers to help develop a standard on Information Quality, Validation and Actionable Criteria for Externally Generated Information used by Emergency Communications Centers. The deadline to sign up is Nov. 16.
The proposed criteria would focus specifically on the quality and operational usefulness of incoming information. They would address whether data is dependable, timely, sufficiently complete and useful when centers make response decisions. APCO said errors, duplicate information, missing details and outdated material can increase center workloads and hinder emergency response.
The association filed a Project Initiation with the American National Standards Institute for Information Quality, Validation and Actionable Criteria for Externally Generated Information used by Emergency Communications Centers. The project covers information received from monitoring services, telematics platforms, sensors, connected applications and artificial intelligence systems.
APCO plans to select participants during the two weeks following the application deadline and notify applicants by email. Working group participants will earn points toward Registered Public-Safety Leader recertification and receive recognition for their contributions to the final published standard.
About the Author
Danielle Naidu is assistant editor for Security Today, Campus Security Today, Occupational Health & Safety and Environmental Protection Online.