MCP Insights

APCO 2025 Key Takeaways: Part 1

The 2025 edition of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) trade show and conference was held recently in Baltimore.

Goodbye Spreadsheets, Hello GIS Dashboards

Public-safety agencies collect vast amounts of data, but the way that data is managed can make or break its usefulness.

The Case for CAD-to-GIS Integration — And How to Achieve It

Imagine that a hostage situation is unfolding at a business. It’s the result of a domestic dispute, so it’s emotionally charged. The hostage taker is heavily armed and unstable, and SWAT is on the scene.

A Few Words About Marc Berryman — GIS Visionary and Vital Voice of Reason

In a few days, I will have the distinct, yet bittersweet, honor to accept the National Emergency Number Association’s Presidential Award on behalf of Marc Berryman, my friend and colleague who died a year ago after a short battle with cancer. This will occur during NENA’s 2023 national conference in Grapevine, Texas, on June 18.

Industry Standards Pertaining to GIS Data in NGCS Need Strengthening — Here’s What to Do in the Meantime

When it comes to technology implementations in the public-safety/justice ecosystem, industry standards are the guiding light. However, when they’re written ambiguously, standards are subject to broad interpretation. As a result, their effectiveness can be compromised, and they sometimes become ineffective.

Geographic Information Systems Are Great Tools for Public Safety, But Usually Need Refinement

Geographic information systems (GIS) play a vital role in the Next Generation 911 (NG911) environment. Harnessing the location and advanced

MAPS Assessments Show That, In Some Places, NG911 Is Progressing Nicely

Since MCP’s inception more than a dozen years ago, our subject-matter experts (SMEs) have conducted hundreds of assessments pertaining to our clients’ facilities, technologies, operations, staffing, information technology practices, cybersecurity postures, and governance. Like our clients, we constantly strive to up our game. That’s why we launched the Model for Advancing Public Safety® (MAPS®) three years ago.

Computer-Aided Dispatch Trends That Should Be on Your Radar — Part 2

A previous blog explored several short-term trends regarding computer-aided dispatch (CAD) of which emergency communications officials should be aware. These include:

• The rapid evolution of CAD mapping
• The increasing momentum of CAD interoperability

Computer-Aided Dispatch Trends That Should Be on Your Radar — Part 1

Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems are the lifeblood of every emergency communications center (ECC) — without them, providing law enforcement, fire/rescue, and emergency medical response, while possible, would be much more challenging. Given the importance of CAD systems, every ECC manager should be aware of the following short-term trends.

‘Big Data’ Is Helping Justice Organizations Address Their Biggest Challenges

“Big data” is an approach used to analyze extremely large, extremely complex, unstructured datasets. While the majority of data that courts create, manage, and are responsible for wouldn’t be considered “big data,” courts can benefit tremendously from recent advances in big data tools.