2025 Louisiana APCO/NENA Symposium
Annual State Symposium where over 350 Emergency Communication Professionals come to network
April 21 - 23, 2025  ·  Golden Nugget Lake Charles Hotel, Casino & Resort


The Louisiana Chapters of the Association of Public Safety Communication Officials (APCO) and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) are proud to present this annual Symposium where over 350 Emergency Communication Professionals come to network, expand their knowledge in our education sessions, and meet vendors who share and demonstrate their products and services.  Louisiana joins the rest of the nation as we work to implement Next Generation 9-1-1 technology and respond to the ever changing needs of our communities. 

Agenda
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Late Registration, Check-In, T-Shirt Pickup
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Emcee Richard McGuire, Calcasieu Parish 911 Presentation of the Colors Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office Honor Guard Memorialization of St. Tammany Sergeant Grant J. Candies Major Jennifer Callaway, Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Emotional Intelligence, Self Awareness (Recognition), and Gratitude. This will challenge you to define "good" and "bad" days, also discuss how they relate to decision making in personal and professional life.
1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
Jason Long – LevelUp 911
Sarah Anderson – SWA-Legally Cyber
2:20 PM - 3:20 PM
2:20 PM - 3:20 PM
Jason Long – LevelUp 911
On Scene First – Tracy Eldridge
3:25 PM - 4:45 PM
3:25 PM - 4:45 PM
Revolutionizing Cybersecurity Zero Trust Proactive Defense Jamie Ginn, Ph.D. – OTM Cyber
On Scene First – Tracy Eldridge
4:45 PM - 6:45 PM
4:45 PM - 6:45 PM
Door Prizes to be given away! MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Blue Martini Lounge – The Eighties Experience Band
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Jason Long – LevelUp 911
Tommy Alderman – TailorBuilt Solutions
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Grand Ball Room
9:35 AM - 10:35 AM
9:35 AM - 10:35 AM
On Scene First – Tracy Eldridge
10:40 AM - 11:50 AM
10:40 AM - 11:50 AM
On Scene First – Tracy Eldridge
This session aims to educate Telecommunicators on health and wellness, emphasizing functional movement exercises.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Door Prizes to be given away! MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
LSP: NCIC Rules & Regulations LA Fusion Center: Suspicious Activity Reporting (LA-SAFE) & the RAVE Alerting
Patrick Virgadamo – LA Legislative Auditors Office
2:10 PM - 3:00 PM
2:10 PM - 3:00 PM
Door Prizes to be given away! MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!
3:05 PM - 4:05 PM
3:05 PM - 4:05 PM
AT&T – Jimmy Litchenstein
Amanda Lyon – Ouachita Parish Sheriffs Office PIO
4:10 PM - 5:20 PM
4:10 PM - 5:20 PM
LA APCO / NENA Chapters
5:45 PM - 11:55 PM
5:45 PM - 11:55 PM
Crawfish Boil @ Bill's Cadillac- Beach Bar & Burger 5:45 - 7:00 Blue Martini Lounge for Karaoke 7:00-12:00
8:00 AM - 8:50 AM
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
INdigital – Caleb Branch
10:10 AM - 11:20 AM
10:10 AM - 11:20 AM
GovWorx – Scott MacDonald
Hear Chief Bill Salmeron’s firsthand account of managing the MCI, from inter-agency collaboration to the long-term psychological toll on first responders.
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Grand Door Prizes to be given away! MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!
Speakers
Keynote - Instructor
Level-up 911 Training
Charles is a highly-rated motivational Keynote speaker with 12+ years of experience as a fitness and wellness instructor. Charles has taught hundreds of Telecommunicators and Law Enforcement over his career.
Chief of EMS
City of New Orleans
Chief Salmeron was appointed Chief of New Orleans EMS in 2019, prior to, he served as the Coordinator of Special Events & Planning for the Depart. Chief Salmeron has been in EMS for 22 years & attended the EMHS Program at the University of Southwestern LA
APCO-1st Vice President
911 Director, Livingston Parish Sheriffs Office
Jack started his Public Safety career in 1986 as a firefighter and EMT. He progressed through various roles, becoming Chief of Communications and Dty Director. Now at Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Ofc, he oversees 911 operations and serves on the APCO Board
Melanie Jones, RPL, ENP, CPE, CMCP
NENA President
Executive Director, Guilford Metro 911 Greensboro, North Carolina, United States
Partner at TailorBuilt Solutions, LLC
TailorBuilt Solutions, LLC
A graduate of LSU earning a B.A. in English, Tommy has over 35 years experience as a professional communicator, trainer, and relationship builder.
CEO/Instructor
LevelUp 911 Training
Jason, a seasoned Telecommunications Instructor, retired from the Kentucky State Police Academy as a Law Enforcement Instructor, Jason ensured that all agencies receive top-notch in-service training and certification.
Instructor
On Scene First
On Scene First is a hub for public safety education, training, and support in the areas of technology, leadership, mental health, and tips and tricks.
SWA-Law, LLC
Legally Cyber
Sarah advises leaders and technology professionals on preventing and mitigating liability before, during, and after a cyber incident. Sarah is licensed to practice in four (4) states: Louisiana, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.​
CEO
GovWorx
Scott MacDonald is the founder and CEO of GovWorx, a Public Safety technology company focus exclusively on emergency communications, law enforcement, and fire EMS.
VP of Market Management
INdigital
Caleb Branch is the VP of Market Management for INdigital and oversees ESInet deployments, company positioning/marketing, and partner coordination.
Sales Director NG911 - Public Safety Solutions - SST
Comtech
Max Iwaniec is a seasoned sales and business leader with extensive expertise in the public safety telecom industry. He has a proven track record of driving growth in both transactional and complex environments, consistently delivering measurable results.
AT&T Principal Architect
AT&T Public Safety Solutions
AT&T Principal Architect, brings more than 20 years or experience engaging and supporting government and public safety clients. He is responsible for developing, engineering, and delivering public safety solutions for customers nationwide.
CEO
OTM Cyber
Jamie is a seasoned cybersecurity professional, with experience spanning various roles including Security Operations Center analysis and security design
Investigative Specialist
Louisiana State Police - Fusion Center
A fusion center is a collaborative effort of two or more agencies that provide resources, expertise, and/or information with the goal of maximizing the ability to detect, prevent, investigate, apprehend, and respond to criminal and terrorist activity.
Public Information Officer
Ouachita Parish Sheriffs Office
Deputy Amanda Lyon has deep roots in Ouachita Parish. She is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Monroe, with a degree in Public Relations and Communications.
NCIC/LLETS Access Unit
Louisiana State Police - BCII - LCJIS
Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information
SENIOR ATTORNEY, CFE
Louisiana Legislative Auditor's Office
Patrick Virgadamo, CFE is a Senior Attorney for the Office of the Louisiana Legislative Auditor (LLA). He is a graduate of McNeese State University (B.A. 2004), LA State University (M.A. 2009), and the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center (J.D./ G.D.C.L. 2009).
NENA - Southeastern Director
Rutherford County ECD/911
Lowery, represents NENA members from the Southeastern Region on the board, has worked in the 9-1-1 industry for twenty-five years and has volunteered at both the county and state level on multiple boards and committees.

Lt. Charles Hedgespeth

Charles is a highly-rated motivational Keynote speaker with 12+ years of experience as a fitness and wellness instructor. Charles has taught hundreds of Telecommunicators and Law Enforcement over his career.

Bill Salmeron

Chief Salmeron was appointed Chief of New Orleans EMS in 2019, prior to, he served as the Coordinator of Special Events & Planning for the Depart. Chief Salmeron has been in EMS for 22 years & attended the EMHS Program at the University of Southwestern LA

Jack Varnado

Jack started his Public Safety career in 1986 as a firefighter and EMT. He progressed through various roles, becoming Chief of Communications and Dty Director. Now at Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Ofc, he oversees 911 operations and serves on the APCO Board

Melanie Jones

Executive Director, Guilford Metro 911 Greensboro, North Carolina, United States

Tommy Alderman

A graduate of LSU earning a B.A. in English, Tommy has over 35 years experience as a professional communicator, trainer, and relationship builder.

Jason Long

Jason, a seasoned Telecommunications Instructor, retired from the Kentucky State Police Academy as a Law Enforcement Instructor, Jason ensured that all agencies receive top-notch in-service training and certification.

Tracy Eldridge

On Scene First is a hub for public safety education, training, and support in the areas of technology, leadership, mental health, and tips and tricks.

Sarah Anderson, JD

Sarah advises leaders and technology professionals on preventing and mitigating liability before, during, and after a cyber incident. Sarah is licensed to practice in four (4) states: Louisiana, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.​

Scott MacDonald

Scott MacDonald is the founder and CEO of GovWorx, a Public Safety technology company focus exclusively on emergency communications, law enforcement, and fire EMS.

Caleb Branch

Caleb Branch is the VP of Market Management for INdigital and oversees ESInet deployments, company positioning/marketing, and partner coordination.

Max Iwaniec

Max Iwaniec is a seasoned sales and business leader with extensive expertise in the public safety telecom industry. He has a proven track record of driving growth in both transactional and complex environments, consistently delivering measurable results.

Jimmy Lichtenstein

AT&T Principal Architect, brings more than 20 years or experience engaging and supporting government and public safety clients. He is responsible for developing, engineering, and delivering public safety solutions for customers nationwide.

Jamie Guinn, Ph.D. (h.c.)

Jamie is a seasoned cybersecurity professional, with experience spanning various roles including Security Operations Center analysis and security design

Sierra Bridges

A fusion center is a collaborative effort of two or more agencies that provide resources, expertise, and/or information with the goal of maximizing the ability to detect, prevent, investigate, apprehend, and respond to criminal and terrorist activity.

Amanda Lyon

Deputy Amanda Lyon has deep roots in Ouachita Parish. She is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Monroe, with a degree in Public Relations and Communications.

Kim Pierce

Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information

Patrick Virgadamo, JD

Patrick Virgadamo, CFE is a Senior Attorney for the Office of the Louisiana Legislative Auditor (LLA). He is a graduate of McNeese State University (B.A. 2004), LA State University (M.A. 2009), and the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center (J.D./ G.D.C.L. 2009).

Cassie Lowery, ENP

Lowery, represents NENA members from the Southeastern Region on the board, has worked in the 9-1-1 industry for twenty-five years and has volunteered at both the county and state level on multiple boards and committees.

No records found.

Exhibitors
Link Integration Group is a marriage between a Structured Cabling company and an Audio/Visual Information Technology company.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you.
We are inherently problem solvers. Our technology philosophy is to make it easy for you to do business with us. Our team is driven by a challenge and a relentless urge to deliver IT solutions to grow your business.
CentralSquare proudly serves over 8,000 organizations across North America by providing public safety, corrections and administration solutions. Learn more about our dedication to your mission at CentralSquare.com.
We specialize in defending highly interconnected, mission-critical systems that support emergency response and municipal services
As a full service public safety provider, we have developed advanced applications through research and development, planning, design and successful implementation including fully integrated ANI/ALI service, text-FOR-911, ESiNet and PSAP disaster recovery.
Cloud-Native Critical Event Management and Public Safety Resource Deployment Software for E911 Communications Centers, Law Enforcement, Fire & Emergency Medical Services.
We are the most secure and interactive cloud based communications platform for mission critical centers. With Carbyne, Every Person Counts.
A global leader in emergency communication services, we partner with first responders to ensure the right help reaches the right place quickly. Always there in an emergency, we are Intrado.
Eventide developed digital voice logging recorders that allowed public safety agencies, broadcasters, and utilities to store digital audio with improved clarity and longer retention periods.
DSi has developed software to suit the mission of dispatch. This includes Law Enforcement, Fire, and EMS all have benefited from tools developed by ADSi.
Comtech is engineering the convergence of global communications networks. We’re building a future that sets ideas free — a future of hybridized connectivity.
BRING ORDER TO THE EMERGENCY DISPATCH PROCESS WITH ProQA
NGA
The Future of Public Safety: Advanced NG911 Call-Handling and Network Solutions
FirstResponse911 PaaS architecture provides a secure, scalable, resilient, and extensible environment to provide interoperability for public safety agencies.
Prepared's mission is to be public safety's most assistive technology, rapidly analyzing data to empower 911 telecommunicators, fully inform first responders, and provide citizens with the fastest, most effective service to save more lives.
FirstNet now covers more first responders than any other wireless network. And thanks to you, it’s become the network first responders across the nation depend on most to stay mission ready.
Connect Your Data to 911 for Faster Emergency Response
Mission Critical Partners provides its clients with a holistic approach to enhance and evolve critical communications systems and operations across the entire mission critical communication ecosystem.
We offer a variety of public safety software solutions to fit your every need. If you have any questions about these solutions, please reach out to the team. You may also schedule a demo if you would like to see the product in action.
Raptor Badge Alert empowers staff to discreetly and instantly activate alerts via a wearable badge. Now schools can maximize single-action alerting on an end-to-end emergency management platform.
Emergency responders work to protect and save lives—and insurance professionals work to protect and restore them.
911 Direct Specializes In Custom Dispatch Consoles For Command & Control Centers.
Manufacturer's representative for Watson Consoles, Zetron, JPS Interoperability, VIAVI Solutions, Icom America, SemperComm Portable Command Centers, and more.
Electronic Business Systems has been providing companies and businesses with the highest quality office equipment and products for over 51 years.
Responsible AI to Evaluate, Coach, and Prepare Strong Public Safety Teams
A web-based solution that enables Parishes and Municipalities to create, manage, and share geospatial data in real-time.
Serving Acadiana and the Gulf Coast Region for more than 25 years, Service Communications offers a diverse communications product line to match each client with the right communication solution for their business or lifestyle.
911 dispatch furniture is specifically designed to accommodate the unique needs and demands of emergency dispatch centers where operators handle incoming calls for police, fire, and medical emergencies.
We provide NextGen 911 solutions that support the unified emergency response journey, delivering intelligent information and driving better outcomes in mission critical situations
Our public safety solutions are designed to simplify your workflow, improve quality assurance, & help keep your information secure.
At Equature, we are committed to revolutionizing public safety operations with cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions.
Xybix is the leading provider of sit-to-stand ergonomic desks, workstations, and consoles specifically designed for the unique demands of 24/7 mission-critical environments.
OTM Cyber Leading the way in Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity
Ergonomic 911 Dispatch Consoles for Mission-Critical Performance

Link Integration Group

Link Integration Group is a marriage between a Structured Cabling company and an Audio/Visual Information Technology company.

988 – Text, Call, Chat

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you.

180Pros

We are inherently problem solvers. Our technology philosophy is to make it easy for you to do business with us. Our team is driven by a challenge and a relentless urge to deliver IT solutions to grow your business.

CentralSquare Technologies

CentralSquare proudly serves over 8,000 organizations across North America by providing public safety, corrections and administration solutions. Learn more about our dedication to your mission at CentralSquare.com.

SecuLore

We specialize in defending highly interconnected, mission-critical systems that support emergency response and municipal services

INdigital

As a full service public safety provider, we have developed advanced applications through research and development, planning, design and successful implementation including fully integrated ANI/ALI service, text-FOR-911, ESiNet and PSAP disaster recovery.

TailorBuilt Solutions, LLC

Cloud-Native Critical Event Management and Public Safety Resource Deployment Software for E911 Communications Centers, Law Enforcement, Fire & Emergency Medical Services.

Carbyne

We are the most secure and interactive cloud based communications platform for mission critical centers. With Carbyne, Every Person Counts.

Intrado

A global leader in emergency communication services, we partner with first responders to ensure the right help reaches the right place quickly. Always there in an emergency, we are Intrado.

Eventide Communications

Eventide developed digital voice logging recorders that allowed public safety agencies, broadcasters, and utilities to store digital audio with improved clarity and longer retention periods.

ADSI

DSi has developed software to suit the mission of dispatch. This includes Law Enforcement, Fire, and EMS all have benefited from tools developed by ADSi.

Comtech

Comtech is engineering the convergence of global communications networks. We’re building a future that sets ideas free — a future of hybridized connectivity.

Priority Dispatch

BRING ORDER TO THE EMERGENCY DISPATCH PROCESS WITH ProQA

NGA

The Future of Public Safety: Advanced NG911 Call-Handling and Network Solutions

DataTech 911

FirstResponse911 PaaS architecture provides a secure, scalable, resilient, and extensible environment to provide interoperability for public safety agencies.

Prepared

Prepared's mission is to be public safety's most assistive technology, rapidly analyzing data to empower 911 telecommunicators, fully inform first responders, and provide citizens with the fastest, most effective service to save more lives.

FirstNet Built with AT&T

FirstNet now covers more first responders than any other wireless network. And thanks to you, it’s become the network first responders across the nation depend on most to stay mission ready.

RapidSOS

Connect Your Data to 911 for Faster Emergency Response

MissionCriticalPartners

Mission Critical Partners provides its clients with a holistic approach to enhance and evolve critical communications systems and operations across the entire mission critical communication ecosystem.

i3verticals

We offer a variety of public safety software solutions to fit your every need. If you have any questions about these solutions, please reach out to the team. You may also schedule a demo if you would like to see the product in action.

Raptor Technologies

Raptor Badge Alert empowers staff to discreetly and instantly activate alerts via a wearable badge. Now schools can maximize single-action alerting on an end-to-end emergency management platform.

VFIS of Miss/Lou

Emergency responders work to protect and save lives—and insurance professionals work to protect and restore them.

Prodigy Dispatch Consoles

911 Direct Specializes In Custom Dispatch Consoles For Command & Control Centers.

Access Marketing

Manufacturer's representative for Watson Consoles, Zetron, JPS Interoperability, VIAVI Solutions, Icom America, SemperComm Portable Command Centers, and more.

EBS - Higher Ground

Electronic Business Systems has been providing companies and businesses with the highest quality office equipment and products for over 51 years.

GovWorx

Responsible AI to Evaluate, Coach, and Prepare Strong Public Safety Teams

DataScout

A web-based solution that enables Parishes and Municipalities to create, manage, and share geospatial data in real-time.

Service Communications

Serving Acadiana and the Gulf Coast Region for more than 25 years, Service Communications offers a diverse communications product line to match each client with the right communication solution for their business or lifestyle.

Concept Seating

911 dispatch furniture is specifically designed to accommodate the unique needs and demands of emergency dispatch centers where operators handle incoming calls for police, fire, and medical emergencies.

RapidDeploy

We provide NextGen 911 solutions that support the unified emergency response journey, delivering intelligent information and driving better outcomes in mission critical situations

Voice Products

Our public safety solutions are designed to simplify your workflow, improve quality assurance, & help keep your information secure.

Equature

At Equature, we are committed to revolutionizing public safety operations with cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions.

Xybix

Xybix is the leading provider of sit-to-stand ergonomic desks, workstations, and consoles specifically designed for the unique demands of 24/7 mission-critical environments.

OTM Cyber

OTM Cyber Leading the way in Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity

RussBassett

Ergonomic 911 Dispatch Consoles for Mission-Critical Performance

No records found.

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Printable Agenda
Printable Agenda
Event Justification Letter
Event Justification Letter