University of Kansas Public Safety Named APCO 2006 Calls Award Winner

WASHINGTON — The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today announced the University of Kansas Public Safety as the 2006 Corporate Award for Leadership in 9-1-1 Locations Solutions (CALLS). The award will be presented at the Opening General Session of the APCO International 72nd Annual Conference and Exposition on Aug. 7 in Orlando, Fla.

The University of Kansas Public Safety operates in a Private Branch Exchange (PBX)/Multi-Line Telephone System (MLTS), as do most schools, businesses, government agencies, and hotels. These systems are characterized by a central switchboard connected to a number of either on-premise or off-premise extensions. Connection to an out-dial trunk on systems of this type typically require the dialing of an extra digit (such as nine) to reach an outside phone connection. PBX/MLTS usually provide 9-1-1 centers with only the phone number and location of the central switchboard, not necessarily the location from where the call is being placed.

Many facility owners that currently use PBX/MLTS are unaware of the problem. Those that are aware may believe they have little incentive to correct the problem. Therefore, many communities are relying on employee or consumer pressure and legislated mandates from some states to ensure this problem is corrected.

The University of Kansas Public Safety made location information on 9-1-1 calls a priority from the time the state separated from the local phone company and established their own central office equipment in 1988. They have their own free-standing public safety answering point (PSAP) and all telephone sets within the system display 9-1-1 automatic number information (ANI) and automatic location information (ALI). The University of Kansas Public Safety system serves 35,000 people.

“The APCO International Board of Officers would like to express their most sincere congratulations to the University of Kansas Public Safety for winning the 2006 APCO CALLS Award,” APCO International President Wanda McCarley said. “It is apparent they have the public’s safety in mind and they have demonstrated their desire to protect the residents and visitors of their campus.”

The APCO International 72nd Annual Conference and Exposition will be held August 6-10 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. For more information on the APCO International 72nd Annual Conference and Exposition, visit www.apco2006.org. To obtain a press pass for the APCO International 72nd Annual Conference and Exposition, please contact Courtney McCarron at 202.833.9600 or mccarronc@apco911.org.

About APCO International
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International, Inc. is the world’s oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to the enhancement of public safety communications. APCO 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.