Registration Profile

This does not apply to Public Safety Telecommunicator 1, 7th Edition Canada.

The APCO Public Safety Telecommunicator, 8th Edition Update course is designed to bring those current in PST 7th Edition up to date with the new 8th Edition release. This update course includes the PST discipline-specific material, focusing on the updates and improvements in the new Edition. 

The new features of the PST 8th Edition include:

Content has been rewritten, revised, and updated throughout to align with the latest developments and technology.

Many topics are new or updated from PST 7th Edition:

• Module One: Updated information to existing content
• Module Two: New content on:
• Types of communication
• Effective communication
• Communication Barriers
• Module Three: New content on:
• Call Control
• Callers experiencing a mental health crisis
• Module Four: New module on Resource Awareness including content on:
• Legacy 9-1-1 Systems
• Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1)
• Modern Policing Technologies in Public Safety Communications
• The Evolution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Public Safety
• Module Five and Six: Minor Updates
• Module Seven: New section on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its use for public safety communications.
• Modules Eight and Nine were reordered, covering the basics of Radio Technology (now Module Eight) then Radio Communications Techniques (now Module Nine).
• Module Ten has new information on Call Classifications before going into incident types. New Incident Types were added, such as Welfare Checks, Swatting Calls, Behavioral Disturbances, and Mental Health Crisis.
• Module Eleven: Expansion on liability topics including social media, standard of care, and liability at different phases of calltaking and dispatch.
• Module Twelve: Minor Updates
• Module Thirteen: New Module on The Workplace and Workforce of Today’s ECC, including new topics such as:
• Unique Work-Life Balance Challenges of the PST
• An Emotionally Charged, High-Stress Environment
• Professionalism and Civility in the ECC
• Conflict Management and Professional Boundaries
• Shift-Ready Every Shift
• Module Fourteen: New Module on Work-Life Balance as a Telecommunicator, including new topics such as:
• Dimensions of Wellness
• Internal Boundaries
• Burnout & Compassion Fatigue
• PST Support Systems
• Newly designed textbook in line with other APCO course manuals
• New practical exercises and open book exercises throughout the manual

Individuals taking the update course will independently review and familiarize themselves with the changes found in the new Public Safety Telecommunicator 1, 8th Edition course, then complete a final quiz based on the new material. The attendee must score 80% on the Final Exam in order to be certified.

Please visit our Public Safety Communications (PST) 8 Courses FAQ Pagefor more information.

CDEs Earned: 2

Recertification Requirements:
APCO certified PSTs must provide proof every two years of 48 hours (24 hours per certification year) of Continuing Dispatch Education (CDE). Complete information on the recertification process is provided at the conclusion of the Public Safety Telecommunicator 1, 8th Ed. Update course. Recertification requires ongoing continuing education.

Duration:
The class will remain open for 3 weeks. Attendees will work at their own pace. Attendees should anticipate two (2) hours of commitment to complete this update. Certificates will be issued once class has completed.

Tuition: Payable in U.S. Funds
(No refunds, transfers, or substitutions are permitted)