2020-06-12

Mission Critical Partners Announces Conference for Advancing Public Safety Keynote Speakers

Source: The Critical Communications Review | Gert Jan Wolf editor

The three-day, virtual conference for public safety leaders features four educational tracks, networking opportunities, and a career fair, as well as leadership and telecommunicator workshops.

Mission Critical Partners (MCP), a consulting and information technology (IT) and network support services firm for mission-critical organizations, announced the keynote speakers for the inaugural Conference for Advancing Public Safety (CAPS), which will be presented June 16-18, 2020.

The three-day, virtual conference for public safety leaders features four educational tracks, networking opportunities, and a career fair, as well as leadership and telecommunicator workshops.

“Our goal with this conference is to provide leaders with a venue to share ideas and learn from each other,” said Kevin Murray, chairman and chief executive officer. “We’re looking forward to joining with other professionals for three days to continue public safety’s evolution.”

Tuesday, June 16

Keynote: David Furth, deputy chief, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau

Furth will open the conference and welcome attendees. He has been with the FCC since 1992. Furth currently is responsible for overseeing policy issues pertaining to public safety and homeland security, including spectrum and licensing, Enhanced 911, the Emergency Alert System and the Commission for Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).

Wednesday, June 17

Keynote: Brian Fontes, chief executive officer, National Emergency Number Association (NENA)

Fontes will open day two of the conference. He has been chief executive officer of NENA since 2008. Fontes’ primary role is to ensure that all Americans have access to reliable 911 service, that 911 centers have state-of-the-art technologies and are staffed with well-trained professionals, and that sufficient funding is available to ensure that the 911 system can best serve those who call upon it as their first voice of hope.

Thursday, June 18, 2020

Keynote #1: Morgan O’Brien, chief executive officer, Anterix

O’Brien has served on Anterix’s board of directors since 2012 and became chief executive officer in April 2018. The co-founder of Nextel, O’Brien served as the national wireless carrier’s chairman from 1987 to 1995. He was recognized as New Jersey Entrepreneur of the Year (1987) and voted RCR’s Person of the Year twice, first in 1993 and again in 2006. He is a member of the Washington, DC, Business Hall of Fame and is a Radio Club of America Fellow. O’Brien was as “one of the top U.S. wireless innovators of all time” by Fierce Wireless in 2008.

Kenote #2: Gabe Elias, Emergency Communications Systems Manager, Albemarle County, VA, Emergency Communications Center

Elias brings a unique perspective on telecommunicator wellness. He will discuss the civil unrest that unfolded in Charlottesville, Va., in August 2017 and the impact those incidents had on telecommunicators. Elias also will explore how the team at Albemarle County Emergency Communications Center leveraged that experience to learn and grow.

In addition to these featured presenters, the following on-demand keynote presentations will be available for download:

Murray, chairman and chief executive officer, Mission Critical Partners

One of the firm’s co-founders, Murray currently is focused on helping MCP clients and the public safety communications sector, as well as the communities they serve, realize improved emergency response outcomes. He will draw on three decades of experience in public safety to explore the essential elements of effective leadership, and why it provides the foundation for industry transformation.

Darrin Reilly, chief operating officer, Mission Critical Partners

Reilly brings a wide range of technology expertise to his current role. He has spearheaded the development of high-quality and innovative services to serve the law enforcement, fire/rescue, emergency medical services and 911 sectors for three decades. He will examine the short- and long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on public safety agencies and personnel.

Attendees can develop their own educational path by registering for the full conference, choosing to attend a full topic track, or selecting individual sessions based on their interests. Registration for this conference is free of charge.