‍If APCO 2024 was RapidDeploy’s coming-out party, then APCO 2025 was our fully-fledged debut in the Motorola Solutions ecosystem—and what a difference a year makes.

Last year, we focused on showcasing our standalone impact on the 911 workflow. This year, we stepped onto the floor and into the Motorola Solutions booth, and our team was busy! From game-changing integrations to AI-driven demos that stopped attendees in their tracks, APCO 2025 was a glimpse into the future of public safety.

Let’s dig into our key takeaways from this year’s show, and what they mean for the 911 professionals we serve.

Radius Mapping + VESTA NXT: One Map to Rule Them All

This year at APCO, Motorola Solutions shared the official integration plan for Radius Mapping into VESTA NXT, which represents a new way for telecommunicators to visualize and respond to emergencies, as Radius Mapping is now the new mapping solution for VESTA NXT.

Here’s why it matters:

Unified view, simplified workflow: No more toggling between apps or squinting at multiple screens. With Radius and VESTA NXT now fully integrated, telecommunicators have one real-time, cloud-native view of caller location, incident data, and responder positions—all in one place.
Faster, smarter response: Every second counts. With precise location delivery, real-time tracking, and contextual updates baked into the platform, telecommunicators can provide help faster and with more confidence.
Built for the cloud, built for the future: Cloud-native architecture means you can access the tools from anywhere, scale with ease, and integrate new tech faster. This isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s foundational for resilient, modern emergency response infrastructure.

The integration of Radius Mapping into VESTA NXT is a game-changer for 911 centers. By combining real-time location data, cloud-native accessibility, and a single, unified view, telecommunicators can make faster, more informed decisions without switching between systems. It’s a meaningful leap in simplifying workflows and getting help to those who need it, with speed and clarity.

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Assist AI Is the Assistant 911 Didn’t Know It Needed

We’ve heard the term “AI” tossed around a lot in public safety lately, and APCO 2025 was the year it became real.

Motorola Solutions’ Assist AI was the star of multiple demos and breakout sessions, and for good reason. This isn’t theoretical tech. It’s practical, stress-reducing AI tailored specifically for the unique demands of public safety.

Some of the biggest eye-openers included:

Live transcription & translation: Imagine answering a 911 call and having instant transcription and automatic translation at your fingertips—no more scrambling for a language line or trying to decipher muffled audio.
AI summaries and call prioritization: Assist pulls out the critical details and highlights them for faster triage, helping reduce call times and telecommunicator fatigue.
Field support through Motorola’s ViQi voice assistant + SVX speaker mic: First responders can now use voice to run license plate checks, translate speech, and control their radios, all hands-free.
Automated redaction & investigation tools: For evidence techs and investigators, Assist can transcribe, redact, and help surface relevant clips, saving hours of manual work.

Assist AI represents a significant step forward in public safety technology, delivering smarter, more collaborative solutions that support emergency responders in critical moments. By streamlining workflows and reducing cognitive load, Assist empowers public safety teams to stay focused on what matters most: helping save lives. We left Baltimore convinced: the AI Assist era of 911 is here.

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AI, Cloud, and Collaboration Were the Innovations and Technologies That Mattered

While the event had no shortage of fun (more on that later), the real conversations happening in sessions and on the show floor were focused on key trends shaping the next generation of emergency response:

Cloud-native dominance: The shift from on-premise to cloud-native solutions is here. Agencies are now prioritizing platforms that offer agility, uptime, and real-time data accessibility from anywhere.
AI everywhere: From transcription to emergency call handling prioritization to responder support, AI has moved from the “maybe someday” category into actual procurement and implementation cycles.
Interoperability in 911 is king: Vendors that play well with others are winning. Siloed systems are out; integrated ecosystems are in. VESTA NXT + Radius Mapping is a great example of this shift. RapidDeploy continues to remain CPE-agnostic, meaning we will continue to work seamlessly with any existing systems agencies have in place. And now as a part of Motorola Solutions, public safety agencies will also benefit from the full power of Motorola Solutions' infrastructure, AI-driven insights, and next generation telemetry capabilities.

Bottom line? Innovation that improves outcomes and reduces friction matters.

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Baseball, Boats, and Baltimore City Nights Out

Networking is always a part of APCO, and this year had its share of unforgettable moments. RapidDeploy was proud to sponsor Nights Out events for ECC professionals from Georgia, Texas, and North Carolina, which gives these states a chance to come together to share ideas and network during APCO.

We also joined in the spirit of APCO’s night at the ballpark, where networking thrived under stadium lights. Attendees cheered as the Orioles hit multiple home runs over the walls at Camden Yards, capping the night with a historic 18-0 win.

Magic shows, boat rides, and baseball were great backdrops for deeper conversations with some of the most dedicated professionals in the country.

Motorola was proud to sponsor and host ECC tours to Baltimore City and Baltimore County 911. Getting to see a day in the life of telecommunicators at these local agencies was truly an honor.

What made this year different is how much those “casual” conversations turned into strategic discussions about implementation timelines, AI pilots, and cloud migration plans, all while enjoying Baltimore at night.

Didn’t Make It to Baltimore? Watch the Highlights

We captured some highlights - check out live footage from our live demos, product unveilings, and the incredible energy in the expo hall.

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Moving Forward Together

APCO 2025 confirmed what we’ve been hearing from ECCs across the country: the future of public safety is real-time, AI-assisted, and cloud-connected.

At RapidDeploy, we’re proud to be building that future as part of the Motorola Solutions family, combining innovative spirit with unmatched scale.

Want to see what’s next? Stay tuned for upcoming webinars and pilot opportunities featuring VESTA NXT + Radius Mapping and Assist AI in action.

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Let us know what stood out to you at APCO 2025. We’d love to hear how your agency is preparing for the next wave of innovation in emergency response.