Steve Souder

Steve Souder

Vice Chair-Maryland Next Generation 9-1-1 Commission

 

Steve Souder is a nationally and internationally recognized and respected, authority and leader in the 9-1-1 public safety communications profession and industry.

During his more than 65 year public safety career, he has served in four jurisdictions of the National Capital Region (NCR); i.e. Washington, DC, Arlington County, VA, Montgomery County, MD and Fairfax County, VA…. the latter three, spanning 31 years, as the 9-1-1 center director. Currently Steve represents the Public-At-Large, on the Maryland 9-1-1 Board and was the Vice Chair of the Maryland Next Generation 9-1-1 Commission.

Steve is a frequent guest speaker, presenter, spokesperson, writer and consultant on 9-1-1 matters, and on numerous occasions has provided testimony before Congress and state legislative bodies. 

In 2014, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requested Steve to serve as chair of the Task Force on Optimal PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) [aka….9-1-1 Center] Architecture/TFOPA. The report, (fcc.gov/tfopa), provides the nation’s 9-1-1 community, Federal, State and Local government elected and appointed officials…..a way forward, for the implementation of the Next Generation 9-1-1.

Steve is Life Member of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO), the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), and former member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). Additionally, he has served as the founding chair of the Metropolitan Washington (DC) Council of Governments (MWCOG) 9-1-1 Director's Committee. Steve is also active in the NG9-1-1 Institute of the Congressional NG9-1-1 Caucus.

In addition to his distinguished 9-1-1 career, Steve is a highly decorated former Senior Chief Firefighter (retired), of the United States Coast Guard Reserve.