2026 Louisiana APCO/NENA Symposium
Annual State Symposium where over 400 Emergency Communication Professionals come to network
April 27 - 29, 2026  ·  LIVE! Casino & Hotel


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 400 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
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Emcee; Tommy Mazzone, Caddo Parish 911 Presentation of the Colors; Bossier City Fire Honor Guard National Anthem; Bossier Sheriff’s Office Awards; Major Jennifer Callaway, Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
4:45 PM - 6:45 PM
4:45 PM - 6:45 PM
Door Prizes to be given away! MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!
5:30 PM - 6:00 PM
5:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Welcome all new and first time Symposium Attendees. Stop by to network and meet other first time attendees just shortly before dinner is served.
7:00 PM - 11:55 PM
7:00 PM - 11:55 PM
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
(PIAL) - Chief of the St. George Fire Dept (Ret)
Tommy Alderman – TailorBuilt Solutions
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Grand Ball Room
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
Louisiana TERT is a joint Louisiana APCO and NENA Committee that is in the process of building trained teams that can be used to provide operational support to Communications Centers and their personnel, in the event of a man-made or natural disaster.
2:10 PM - 3:00 PM
2:10 PM - 3:00 PM
Door Prizes to be given away! MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!
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 - TBD - 5:45 - 7:00 Karaoke - PBR Lounge - 7:00-12:00
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
This session will examine the events of the Allen Outlet Mall active shooter incident on May 6th, 2023, from the perspective of a telecommunicator and supervisor on duty that day.
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Grand Door Prizes to be given away! MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!
5:00 PM
5:00 PM
Speakers
APCO-National 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
NENA President | Director of Emergency Communications
Monterey County
NENA President | Director of Emergency Communications, Monterey County | Executive Leadership in Policy, Data, and Technology for the Future of 9-1-1
Communications Active Shooting Instructor
Chris Laymon has over 12 years in emergency communications, recognized for his leadership during the Allen Outlet Mall shooting. He holds degrees in Fire Science and IT, is pursuing an MPA, and actively volunteers in disaster response efforts.
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.
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.
NCIC/LLETS Access Unit
Louisiana State Police - BCII - LCJIS
Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information
Deputy Chief of the St. George Fire Dept (Ret)
Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association
Chief Albert has acquired certificates and education vital to advancing the fire dept over the years. His career took him from fighting fires, to running a dept as Chief, to designing, implementing, and maintaining a computerized FD management system
NENA - South Eastern Drirector
GIS Manager for Kerr Emergency 9-1-1 Network
Nick LaMontia, ENP, GIS Manager for Kerr Emergency 9-1-1 Network, as the association’s Southeastern Region Director.
Deputy Executive Director
Orleans Parish Communication District
Teresa Thompson, Deputy Executive Director of OPCD, has 24 years in public safety communications. She is President of the Louisiana NENA Chapter, State TERT Coordinator, and holds APCO’s RPL and CPE designations.
Melanie Jones, RPL, ENP, CPE, CMCP
NENA Past 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.
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.
NENA - Second Vice President
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.

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

Lee Ann Magoski, ENP

NENA President | Director of Emergency Communications, Monterey County | Executive Leadership in Policy, Data, and Technology for the Future of 9-1-1

Chris Laymon, ENP, COML

Chris Laymon has over 12 years in emergency communications, recognized for his leadership during the Allen Outlet Mall shooting. He holds degrees in Fire Science and IT, is pursuing an MPA, and actively volunteers in disaster response efforts.

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.

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.

Kim Pierce

Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information

Chuck Albert

Chief Albert has acquired certificates and education vital to advancing the fire dept over the years. His career took him from fighting fires, to running a dept as Chief, to designing, implementing, and maintaining a computerized FD management system

Nick LaMontia, ENP

Nick LaMontia, ENP, GIS Manager for Kerr Emergency 9-1-1 Network, as the association’s Southeastern Region Director.

Teresa D. Thompson, RPL, CPE

Teresa Thompson, Deputy Executive Director of OPCD, has 24 years in public safety communications. She is President of the Louisiana NENA Chapter, State TERT Coordinator, and holds APCO’s RPL and CPE designations.

Melanie Jones, RPL, ENP, CPE, CMCP

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.

Caleb Branch

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

Cassie Lowery, ENP, CMCP

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
Helping dispatchers focus on emergencies, Aurelian reduces non-emergency workload so telecommunicators can stay focused on what matters most.
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.
Safer communities are built on stronger partnerships
Your Trusted NG911 Vendors, Advanced ESInet, Call Handling, CAD, and Call Recording
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.
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.
Emergency responders work to protect and save lives—and insurance professionals work to protect and restore them.
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.
Our public safety solutions are designed to simplify your workflow, improve quality assurance, & help keep your information secure.
Since 1982, Northland has been one of the most trusted names for voice and video recording solutions. Northland is dedicated to our clients’ mission-critical communication initiatives and putting them in control of their voice and video recording needs.

Aurelian

Helping dispatchers focus on emergencies, Aurelian reduces non-emergency workload so telecommunicators can stay focused on what matters most.

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.

Motorola Solutions

Safer communities are built on stronger partnerships

AT&T

Your Trusted NG911 Vendors, Advanced ESInet, Call Handling, CAD, and Call Recording

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.

Xybix Systems

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.

VFIS of Miss/Lou

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

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.

Voice Products

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

Northland & Companies

Since 1982, Northland has been one of the most trusted names for voice and video recording solutions. Northland is dedicated to our clients’ mission-critical communication initiatives and putting them in control of their voice and video recording needs.

No records found.

Sponsors
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Live! Casino Property Map
Event Justification Letter
Event Justification Letter