Keeping the UK’s emergency services connected is a complex and critical task. In this episode, we speak with Duncan Swan, COO of British APCO, about the challenges, priorities, and leadership driving public safety communications today - and into the future.

What does it take to keep the UK’s emergency services connected when lives are on the line? We dive into the critical communications landscape of UK public safety with British APCO. Duncan shares how BAPCO drives collaboration and policy clarity while tackling the ongoing transformation from PMR to hybrid and broadband systems.

From interoperability and cost pressures to digital transition and risk, we unpack the leadership challenges shaping the future of public safety.

Listen in to discover:

• The mission and influence of British APCO
• National priorities for public safety communications
• How user voices guide system evolution
• The balance of cost, resilience, and technology adoption

This isn’t just a technical deep dive. It’s a front-row look at the people, policies and decisions that keep public safety communications strong—today and for the future.

Duncan's privileged insider perspective makes compelling listening.

Duncan Swan has over 40 years’ experience of public safety technology and joined British APCO as COO in 2022. His role includes providing strategic and technical input into mobile communications and associated technologies for public safety organisations in the UK. In 2005 he was awarded the inaugural Gareth Wilkinson Memorial Award “in recognition and appreciation of outstanding leadership and contribution to the development of BAPCO, and personal commitment to the ideals and purpose of the Association”. He is a regular conference speaker, contributor and editorial adviser to industry journals, a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering & Technology and a Member of the Institute of Directors.

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