Portland Hosts Public Safety Conference

Portland was home to the APCO Western Regional Conference (Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials) this month, an effort supported by staff from the Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC). Conference Co-chair was BOEC Deputy Director Steve Mawdsley. Several other team members filled important chair positions to produce this regional public safety event. Councilor Sameer Kanal attended the presentation to show his support for BOEC’s efforts to recruit, hire, train and retain staff to reduce hold times to 911. 

BOEC Director Bob Cozzie and Training Manager Melanie Payne presented “How Portland 911 Dug Out of a Hole.” BOEC leadership team members Ryan DesJardins, Laura Pierson and Mike Grimm, and Brian Bourdon presented on topics including artificial intelligence and quality assurance, employee wellness, technology, and emergency management. 

The conference opened with speaker Elizabeth Smart, the survivor of a high-profile child abduction case, who spoke about the importance of supporting survivors. 

For more information, visit apcowrc2025.org.