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Planning and responding for the good of public safety
The time of the year is fast approaching when the Executive Committee meet with the Regional Chairs and Secretaries to discuss future plans and discuss any changes that we feel need to take place to both enable the association to carry out its current role as a leader in Public Safety communications and IT advisors and also update the longer term plans for the Association. I would urge all of our members to pass on any thoughts or observations that they have to their regional representatives for discussion and assist the Executive in delivering the aims and objectives of the Organisation. This year the meeting will take place on the 19th and 20th September and I urge anyone with ideas or thoughts that may be relevant to let us know.
As part of my role I was privileged to attend the APCO International conference and exhibition in Baltimore and it was very interesting to see how other countries approach and contribute to Public Safety using their local Association infrastructures. I must just add the weather in Baltimore was in complete contrast to what we left behind in England instead of constant rain we enjoyed temperatures in the region of 107 degrees. The conference and exhibition was in general similar to our event in April, except that they had lots of local chapter work streams running alongside the main conference program, but of course the US is geographically much larger than the UK making this type of event more viable .
I have arranged to attend the Local Children’s Hospice in September on their Open Day to present the cheque for the money that was raised at the Gala Dinner in London during Ambex. I am most grateful for the generosity that was displayed on that night and on behalf of the patients and Staff at the Keech Cottage Children’s Hospice I thank you all.
I know that most of you will have either had your holidays already or are currently enjoying a break and I hope that everyone feels refreshed and able to tackle all the challenges that face the Public Safety Community this coming Winter, hopefully the weather will be little kinder than it has been this summer.
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
