CPRA – The California Public-Safety Radio Association
MISSION
CPRA is the Southern California Chapter of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) which is an international leader committed to providing complete public safety communications expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach to benefit our members and the public.
VISION
APCO International commits to strengthen our communities by empowering and educating public safety communications professionals.
HISTORY
The California Public-Safety Radio Association (CPRA) – The longest serving Chapter in APCO
The California Public-Safety Radio Association was originally founded on January 9, 1935 at Glendale, California, as a statewide Law Enforcement group called the California Police Radio Association (CPRA). Because California is so large (770 miles north to south), it was decided in 1941 to divide the state between North and South. A line was drawn from east to west through Fresno, California. The group to the north of Fresno was known as the Northern California Police Communication Officers. This group is now known as the Northern California Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (NAPCO). The group south of Fresno was at first known as the California Police Communication Officers but shortly afterward the Southern California group changed the name back to the original California Police Radio Association (CPRA).
On April 1, 1945, CPRA became a chartered chapter of the then Associated Police Communications Officers (APCO), which was founded on January 21, 1935, officially becoming the new Southern California Chapter of APCO.
In 1953, the Southern California Chapter, in order to better reflect its diversifying membership, changed its corporate name to the California Public-Safety Radio Association, Inc. In 1956, the Association followed suit and changed its name to the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials, Inc. Since it was a separate organization that predated APCO when it joined in 1945, the new corporate name of California Public-Safety Radio Association (CPRA) was allowed to be grandfathered. All other present and future chapters are now required to use “APCO” in both their chapter and corporate names.
Today, the Southern California Chapter of APCO is made up of over 600 local public safety professionals from Police, Fire, EMS, 9-1-1, State/Local Government, Tribal, Military, Forestry, Highway and Conservation services who volunteer their time and expertise for the betterment of public safety communications. It represents more than 250 Public Safety agencies and 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) who serve over 23 million people throughout Southern California. Our Corporate members, who provide products or services to public safety, also support and participate in many of the activities of the Chapter. The Chapter meets monthly in various Southern California locations.
The Southern California Chapter of APCO provides its members with Operational and Technical Training, discusses the current critical issues affecting Public Safety and 9-1-1 PSAPs, disseminates the latest information on emerging technologies including Next Gen 9-1-1 and FirstNet, reports on FCC Regulatory notices and actions, conducts monthly Frequency Coordination meetings, advises on the current activities at APCO International, and provides an opportunity for networking with peers. Additionally, the Chapter holds special events throughout the year, including an annual Awards Banquet in April that recognizes the top 9-1-1 practitioners and Technologists in Southern California, and an Annual California APCO State Conference event each October that provides professional development training and displays of the latest equipment and services for Public Safety, as well as hosting regional interoperability meetings, and a PSAP roundtables.
Corporate Identification
Corporate Name:
California Public-Safety Radio Association, Inc.
Doing Business As:
The Southern California Chapter of The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International 351 N. Williamson Blvd.,Daytona Beach, FL 32114-1112
Business Names (FBN):
California APCO Southern California APCO SoCal APCO
Corporate Mailing Address:
3410 La Sierra Ave., Suite #F1185 Riverside, California 92503
A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Charitable Organization Tax ID:
95-4234700
A State of California Registered Domestic Nonprofit ID:
C0250665
Corporate Information:
The California Public-Safety Radio Association (CPRA), originally named the “California Police Radio Association”, is an all volunteer nonprofit charitable organization. The Corporation does not have employees nor maintains a physical business location. Members are current or retired Public Safety, Local Government, or corporate employees who volunteer their time and expertise for the betterment of Public Safety Communications and to improve the safety of the communities they serve. Corporate Board Members are current APCO Chapter Members elected annually to their office by the quorum of the Chapter Membership.