|
My name is Matthew Franke and I am seeking your support for my candidacy to serve as the next APCO International 2nd Vice President. My career in public safety has been wide and varied serving as both a full-time police officer and a part-time firefighter; but it always was focused on communications. I began as a college student working as an EMT and dispatcher and eventually a university police officer. A 26-year career as a city police officer followed where, after promotion, I served as the PSAP manager and implemented one of the first P25 trunked radio systems in Ohio.
The past 15 years I have worked at the Butler County Sheriff’s Office currently serving as Captain leading the Communications Section. We support communications (radio, 9-1-1, CAD/RMS, MDC, microwave/fiber network) for 9 dispatch centers, 29 agencies and 3700 users. We also operate the largest PSAP handling 55% of 9-1-1 calls.
As a young dispatcher, I had a lot of questions about public safety communications. Many times there were no answers. Then I learned about the APCO Public Safety Standard Operating Procedure Manual (Project 2). I studied that manual and all that was available at the time about public safety communications. APCO guided me when I was new to the business and throughout my career; it still provides unwavering support for all aspects of public safety communications.
Over 30 years as a member of APCO, I learned from other members and realized that the members are APCO and I needed to contribute as well. My 20 years of leadership in the Ohio Chapter include President and currently the Executive Council Representative and Legislative Liaison. I serve as chapter representative to the Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee and the ESINet (9-1-1) Steering Committee’s Technical Sub-Committee. I also serve on both 800 and 700 MHz Regional Planning Committees. For the past 10 years, I have served APCO International on the Executive Council and Board of Directors. I also currently Chair the Spectrum and Technology Committee.
The most complex and important challenge facing public safety communications today is NG9-1-1. It also will be the most transformative change I have seen in my career. NG9-1-1 requires us to build on the broadband implications for 9-1-1 discussed in APCO Project 43. During my 5 years on the Board of Directors, I advocated for a guide our members could use to navigate the steps of this crucially important change for 9-1-1; APCO’s Definitive Guide to Next Generation 9-1-1 accomplished that request. Yet I realized that, although we have come a long way, there was still a way to go to achieve this next great goal.
NG9-1-1 presents not only the obvious technological issues. We must be cognizant of the operational and human factors. How will we recruit, test, and train new Telecommunicators who will face a changing and increasingly intense work environment? They will be expected to process the traditional 9-1-1 call while coping with on scene realities and emotionally charged events like never before through potentially graphic photos, videos, and texts. They will be required to triage photos, videos, or texts to be relayed to first responders. Here again, we face some unfinished business. APCO must, and undoubtedly will, provide guidance to the Next Generation Telecommunicators. We must support the people who will be answering the calls every day. Telecommunicators are first responders. You cannot listen to a call taker providing lifesaving instructions - and hear the positive results before the arrival of field responders – and think otherwise. I realized early on that APCO was the one stop shop for all issues concerning public safety communications. APCO members have helped me throughout my career and to this day. I continually witness members helping the association and helping one another. I see it in my role as a committee chair; and I see it in my daily review of PSConnect postings.
Today I have the opportunity to return a debt of gratitude to APCO and its membership. I would consider it an honor and privilege to serve as APCO 2nd Vice President. With 5 years’ experience on the Board, I am uniquely qualified to lead APCO during this period of transition in our Executive Director position. I will contribute my knowledge and experience to further the development of NG9-1-1 and continue the APCO tradition of supporting all aspects of the public safety communications community.
APCO has been by my side for many years and I wish to positively contribute to the continuing success of this great organization. I feel the job is unfinished, my debt unpaid, and eagerly look forward to joining with all APCO members to achieve the next great accomplishment in the public safety communications industry. With your support and assistance we can continue to build on our past progress. Thank you for your support. |
|
Matthew Franke
for APCO 2nd V.P.
|
|
APCO Positions
* 40 years in Public Safety Communications
* 30 year member of APCO * Currently Chair of Spectrum and Technology Committee
* 20 years of leadership positions in Ohio Chapter * Including President * Currently Executive Council Rep
* 15 years of leadership in Regional Planning Committee * Currently Vice Chair
* 10 years of leadership in APCO International * Executive Council and Board of Directors * 5 years as North Central Representative |
|
Selected Experience and Accomplishments
APCO International Board of Directors 2016-2021 Spectrum and Technology Committee 2020-present Committee Chair 2022-present
Ohio Chapter of APCO – Executive Committee 2nd Vice President 2003-2006 1st Vice President 2006-2008 President 2008-2011 Past President 2011-2013 Executive Council Rep 2013-2016, 2021-present Legislative Liaison 2021-present
Ohio Chapter Representative to State Boards and Committees Statewide Interoperabilty Executive Committee 2002-present National Public Safety Broadband Sub-Committee 2010-present ESINet Steering Committee Technical Sub-Committee 2012-present LBRS (GIS) Steering Committee 2019-present Ohio 911 Council - Next Generation Work Group 2010-2012
800 MHz Regional Planning Committee Interoperability Committee 1999-present
700 MHz Regional Planning Committee Vice Chair 2006-present Technical Committee 2006-present |
|
Cybersecurity Experience |