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A common theme - investment in communications
As this issue goes to press, in representing BAPCO I am attending the APCO Canada conference in Calgary.
The conference appears to have one consistent theme, that of investment, which was echoed during the opening ceremony presentation by Mayor David Bronconnier. He stated that events, such as the APCO Canada Conference, that protect the health and safety of our citizens, are just as important an investment as the costs associated with the implementation or update of Public Safety Communications. He also raised the issue that this expenditure pales in comparison to the costs of lost time or life, which often result from emergency situations.
How true this is. For us in the UK, against a backdrop of limited public spending in the critical need for Emergency services to interoperate at all levels including policies, practices and structures. This is the very theme of presentations here in Calgary highlighting the international concerns around this key issue.
Back in the UK, at BAPCO, we held a very successful Strategic Planning Meeting last month, with the Regional Chairs and Executive Officers. The priorities for the organisation over the next twelve months were set out and I would urge all members to discuss this with their Regional committees so that we can achieve these aims with the support of all members.
After all, at the heart of all we aspire to achieve remains the fact we are a user led organisation. I therefore ask you the members to continue to share your views with the regional committees or executive officers who work on your behalf.
October also sees the BAPCO Road Show take place, and whilst the first event will have already occured by the time you receive this issue, there is still time to consider attending the two remaining events on the 17 and 31st respectively. The conference is based around flooding and addresses inter service information and data sharing.
As usual please feel free to contact myself or any of the executive team with any ideas or indeed questions you may have that feel are relevant to your Association
Ray Trotter
BAPCO President
