We’ve just returned from the annual APCO 2024 conference in Orlando, Florida, where Hurricane Debby made landfall and caused a few bumps in the road, including canceled flights, flooding, and schedule changes, but nothing that the first responders at the conference couldn’t handle! We spent four days at APCO taking notes, roaming the exhibit hall, and talking to customers, and we’re excited to share our top five takeaways from the event.
As the premier gathering for public safety communications officials, APCO offers a unique opportunity to explore new solutions and connect with public safety industry leaders. This year, our key takeways from the conference focus on how our technology empowers the connected first responder, enhances school safety, and drives innovation in public safety. Let’s dive into the highlights!
1. Revolutionizing Emergency Response: The Connected First Responder
At RapidDeploy, our mission is to empower the Connected First Responder with state-of-the-art technology and tools that make a real difference in emergency situations. During APCO 2024, we demonstrated to clients and prospective customers how our Lightning app, integrated with Radius Mapping, is transforming public safety by giving responders instant access to critical data like text, video, and real-time location information – all at their fingertips!
Imagine a first responder arriving at a scene with everything they need right on their mobile device. The Lightning app seamlessly integrates with NG911 systems to provide real-time analytics, enabling responders to make informed decisions faster than ever before. It’s all about giving them the tools they need to respond more efficiently and effectively, and the Lightning app is a critical component of effective emergency response and delivers on the promise of NG911.
2. Advancing School Safety: Protecting Our Future
School safety is a top priority in public safety, and we’re leveraging the Lightning app to make educational environments safer. At APCO 2024, our COO Dami Bullock, participated in a panel session with Metro Nashville, AT&T, FirstNet, and NTT Data Services on the NG911 Case Study: Nashville School Shooting, where experts from these organizations discussed strategies for improving school safety with advanced technology. This session highlighted the importance of rapid and informed response in crisis situations.
We are proud to partner with AT&T, FirstNet, and Critical Response Group (CRG) to amplify school safety measures. By integrating CRG's detailed indoor maps into our Radius Mapping, first responders gain access to enhanced tools and precise location information during critical incidents. This integration offers essential capabilities, such as:
These capabilities make it easier for emergency teams to respond swiftly and effectively, ensuring the safety of students and staff. We are committed to empowering first responders with the resources they need to protect students and staff, fostering a more secure and responsive school environment.
Download our Transforming School Safety with Next Generation 911 Solutions Ebook to learn more about these vital features and join us in making schools safer and more prepared for any emergency.
3. Community Building: Scavenger Hunt and Partner Collaborations
Following the success of our scavenger hunt at NENA 2024, we brought the fun back to APCO 2024! The exhibit hall scavenger hunt was a hit, encouraging attendees to explore our partners’ booths, solve riddles, and discover the innovative solutions we offer. It was a fantastic way to build connections and emphasize the collaborative spirit that drives public safety innovation.
Partnerships are at the heart of our mission and working with organizations like Critical Response Group (CRG), OnStar, PulsePoint, FirstNet Built with AT&T, GeoComm, and 1Spatial expands our capabilities, allowing us to deliver real-time data and advanced tools to first responders. These collaborations enhance our NG911 landscape, helping us lead the charge in public safety advancements.
In addition to the scavenger hunt, RapidDeploy was also proud to host the Women in 911 Mixer, an inspiring evening celebrating the incredible contributions women make to the emergency response field.
We love bringing people together, and these events showcased our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive community.
Watch our scavenger hunt recap below to see the fun with the public safety and our partner community.
4. Building Effective Emergency Response for Live Events
APCO 2024 offered an ideal setting to explore the challenges and solutions for emergency response during large-scale events. In a session led by Steve Raucher, CEO of RapidDeploy, Jerel Frazier, 911 Program Coordinator for Arizona, and Karen Sutherland, Support Services Director for Scottsdale Police Department, the focus was on preparing Scottsdale/Glendale and surrounding areas for events like the Waste Management Open and Superbowl LVII.
In this session the speakers provided insight on:
A particularly impactful moment came when Karen from the Scottsdale PD shared a real-world incident from the night before in Arizona. The Scottsdale Police Department had just trained on RapidDeploy’s Interagency Chat tool, which they used that evening during an active shooter situation at a local grocery store.
The interactive chat tool served as a secure, real-time communication channel between two PSAPs in different jurisdictions, and allowed them to quickly exchange information on incoming calls, what was happening live on the scene, and to help coordinate law enforcement, SWAT, and firefighters across different jurisdictions, who established a perimeter around the incident, ultimately improving decision-making and management of the crisis.
The Scottsdale Police Department's quick application of this NG911 tool highlighted the immediate value of RapidDeploy’s technology in real-world emergencies. This session emphasized the importance of continuous training and adaptable solutions that can be deployed quickly in critical situations.
5. Real-World Success Stories: Driving Adoption Across ECCs
Change management and training were hot topics at APCO 2024. In partnership with NCT9-1-1, we shared insights into the challenges and successes of implementing NG911 systems. The key takeaway? Effective change management is all about stakeholder engagement, comprehensive training, and ongoing support.
NCT9-1-1’s experience showcases the transformative power of NG911 technology in:
The onboarding process, supported by the RapidDeploy Academy and in-app tutorials, ensures ECCs are ready to leverage NG911’s full potential. Our customer experience team provides targeted training and step-by-step instructions to help organizations embrace new technology effectively. There is a need to emphasize a culture of continuous learning and innovation, and regularly updating training and technology needs to meet evolving emergency response needs. Being able to build trust and transparency with the community is crucial, and we strive to educate the public about NG911 to foster confidence in these systems.
Committed to a Safer Tomorrow
APCO 2024 showcased the public safety community’s dedication to transforming emergency response through innovation and collaboration. We are continuously inspired by the courage and commitment of first responders and are driven to support all first responders with solutions that make every moment matter. Together, we are building a future where communities feel safer, stronger, and more connected than ever before.
