Who We Are
The National Joint Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce Initiative (NJTI‑TERT) is a partnership between APCO International and NENA dedicated to building, supporting, and deploying state‑based teams of trained public safety telecommunicators who can rapidly assist Emergency Communications Centers (ECCs/PSAPs) during disasters.
What TERT Does
TERT teams provide mutual aid staffing and communications stabilization. When a jurisdiction needs help, teams can be mobilized and deployed through established mutual‑aid frameworks (e.g., EMAC), integrating seamlessly with local operations to sustain 9‑1‑1 services during critical incidents.
Our Story (At‑a‑Glance)
- Nov 2005 — Partnership with IAEM (International Association of Emergency Managers). NENA signs an MOU with IAEM at the IAEM Conference in Phoenix, AZ to advance the emerging TERT concept.
- Dec 2005 — FEMA credentialing & the missing discipline. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, FEMA begins developing a national responder credentialing process. Telecommunicators are not initially listed—prompting NENA leaders to engage DHS/FEMA to ensure inclusion.
- Mar 2006 — Building the framework. Meetings with NIMS leadership outline what’s needed: a standardized telecommunicator KSA profile and a Tiered Deployment Structure (TDS) developed jointly by NENA and APCO.
- Spring–Fall 2006 — Joint initiative formed. APCO and NENA formally create the National Joint TERT Initiative (NJTI) and stand up working subcommittees for Training, Model Recommendations for TERT Deployment (MRTD), EMAC/typing & credentialing, and Promotions.
- 2006 — Drafting operations guidance. NENA’s initial TERT Operational Information Directive (OID) is transferred to NJTI and evolves into the MRTD.
- May 2009 — National standard approved. The MRTD is adopted by ANSI as APCO/NENA ANS 1.105.1‑2009: Standard for TERT Deployment—establishing the nationally recognized model for team composition, training, and deployment.
- 2017–2019 — NJTI announces committee updates (2017–2018) and demonstrates national readiness ahead of major incidents (e.g., Hurricane Dorian, 2019).
- 2024 — Leadership transitions. NJTI‑TERT announces co‑chair changes and welcomes Jason Smith (APCO) and Brad Gass (NENA) as national co‑chairs.