Public Safety Spectrum Alliance Mourns Senator Jay Rockefeller, Champion of FirstNet
First responders nationwide are better connected and safer because he took up their cause
The Public Safety Spectrum Alliance (PSSA) mourns the passing of former U.S. Senator John D. “Jay” Rockefeller IV of West Virginia, who died at age 89. He was the legislative champion who made a nationwide broadband network for America’s first responders a reality.
As Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Senator Rockefeller answered that call. He led the fight to dedicate the 700 MHz D Block to public safety. He authored the Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act, and helped secure the law that created FirstNet in February 2012.
“Senator Rockefeller made our fight his own, and he stayed with it until the job was done,” said Chief Jeffrey D. Johnson (Ret) of the Public Safety Spectrum Alliance. “Every firefighter, police officer, EMS provider and 9-1-1 professional on FirstNet today is better equipped because of him. We will never forget that.”
Today FirstNet serves public safety in all 50 states, five U.S. territories and the District of Columbia, including rural communities that previously had little or no coverage. PSSA will continue working with leaders in Congress, on both sides of the aisle, to keep FirstNet strong for the next generation of first responders.
PSSA extends its deepest condolences to Senator Rockefeller’s wife, Sharon, his family, and the people of West Virginia.
About the Public Safety Spectrum Alliance
The Public Safety Spectrum Alliance is among the nation’s leading public safety leaders and associations and is an initiative of the Public Safety Broadband Technology Association. The purpose of the PSSA is to ensure that first responders nationwide are able to use the most technologically advanced communications capabilities to meet the difficult, life-threatening challenges they face as they protect America. The PSSA’s goal is to raise awareness within the FCC, Congress, and the White House of the nation’s broadband public safety communications needs, and the continued enhancement of FirstNet—the only nationwide, interoperable wireless communications network built for the first responders who protect America. The PSSA is open to anyone who supports the goals of the Alliance, including individuals and the private sector.
