Advisors:

 As I mentioned to you, we had our annual mid-year Adcom Meeting last week.  The regular business meeting was followed by two days of Strategic Planning.  On the fourth day, the Adcom Chair presented the Committee’s recommendations for future planning to the Board of Officers.  Most of the discussions centered around the budget.  In particular, they discussed ways to cut expenses and increase revenues. 

 It seems that as time goes on, APCO AFC is responsible for more and more things that are non-revenue generating.   AFC’s history shows that AFC has supported, with very little assistance from other public safety coordinators, the projects that have done the most good for public safety.   APCO was responsible for setting up 800 MHz NPSPAC Regional Plans and funding planning meetings with the assumption that the FCC would later grant exclusivity, allowing us to recoup expenses.  And then, without any hesitation, the FCC responded to a letter from IMSA and a petition from AASHTO with a decision that opened up all 800 MHz channels to competition.  I would liken that to our public safety competitors inheriting a new home without a mortgage rather than having to work for it.  None of the public safety coordinators shared in the efforts or expenses of the planning process but were allowed to partake of the proceeds.

 Besides 800 MHz Regional Planning, APCO provided funding and staff support for the following, mainly through coordination fees: 

It’s a wonder that APCO managed to maintain competitive coordination fees throughout the years. 

When ULS was introduced to public safety coordination, how many of the public safety coordinators sent staff out into the field to train on the new procedures?  How many coordinators financed FCC personnel to present training symposiums around the country to instruct the public?  Only APCO did, although all of the coordinators benefited from it.  APCO continued that practice for many months until people began getting familiar with the new forms and procedures. 

APCO alone challenges the Commission whenever it’s necessary to protect public safety spectrum from wealthy commercial capitalists.  That’s an expensive undertaking that is reflected in our legal fees.  We handle regulatory issues that support public safety agencies for a very simple, basic reason.  If APCO doesn’t do it, who else will?

So, as a result of many years of financing political, legal, legislative and educational efforts to improve public safety, almost single-handedly, APCO’s resources have been beaten down, but not depleted.  The cost of doing business has been unfairly balanced in favor of coordinators who do not pay to improve public safety.  Just like the guy with no mortgage payment being pitted against the guy with a 30-year loan, it’s getting harder to compete.  The playing field is not level.

 AFC is prepared to take some drastic measures to level the playing field.  You may see some daring decisions replacing routine procedures and more businesslike behavior overtake our department in an effort to compete on equal turf.

 We must improve our application numbers.  You can help us by being more proactive with your applicants.   

 AFC’s number one asset is our Local Advisors.  We are beginning a campaign to raise awareness so that members and non-members alike will support our frequency coordination program.  The public needs to be aware of what APCO has provided for public safety in the past and will continue to strive for in the future.  Please help us get the word out.

 Cheryl