Public safety is calling the FCC’s 4.9 decision a major win

In a unanimous, bipartisan, 4-0 decision, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is bolstering public safety’s use of the historically underutilized 4.9 GHz spectrum band. The new rules safeguard incumbent operations, establish a process to select a band manager, and make the spectrum available to the FirstNet Authority for 5G deployment on the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (FirstNet).

Here’s what the public safety community is saying:

Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)
“The FOP campaigned hard to beat back the efforts of for-profit companies and organizations like the Coalition for Emergency Response and Critical Infrastructure (CERCI) to use the false banner of ‘local control’ to encroach upon public safety’s 4.9 GHz spectrum for their own commercial purposes. Today is a victory for public safety over private profit.” —Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police


APCO International
“Today’s action is a major win for public safety. Public safety agencies will at long last have the assurance
of interference-free operations and the availability of advanced communications technologies to carry out their lifesaving missions. Furthermore, APCO is confident that FirstNet will build upon its record of success serving the public safety community with a state-of-the-art wireless broadband network now augmented by access to the 4.9 GHz band.
This will undoubtedly result in significant benefits to public safety agencies and the communities they serve throughout the country. We thank Chairwoman Rosenworcel; Commissioners Carr, Starks, and Simington; as well as the professional staff at the FCC, for their work in developing a solid path forward.” —Mel Maier, CEO and executive director of APCO International

International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
“The IAFC is pleased that the FCC has taken action to determine the management of the 4.9 GHz band. This move was essential for the federal FirstNet Authority to be able to provide groundbreaking capabilities to local public safety agencies.” —Josh Waldo, President of International Association of Fire Chiefs


Public Safety Spectrum Alliance (PSSA)
“The PSSA and the thousands of first responders who have supported the process are grateful to the commissioners for listening to our collective voice allowing the band to be used by FirstNet.” —Sue Swenson, PSSA member and former FirstNet Authority Chairwoman


National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE)
“NOBLE applauds the FCC Decision concerning the management of the 4.9 GHz band. The FCC authorized the use of the 4.9 GHz spectrum within the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN).” —NOBLE National Headquarters Statement

Public Safety Broadband Technology Association (PSBTA)
“Public safety has always known that spectrum is the single largest commonality within public safety nationwide. Spectrum is more important than funding. Spectrum is the fuel that drives the networks.” —Chief Chuck Dowd, NYPD (Ret.)

New facility aims to replace existing SLO County sheriff and Cal Fire dispatch centers (CA)

On Oct. 23, members of dispatch and administration from the SLO County Sheriff’s Office and Cal Fire division came together with hard hats and safety vests to sign their names and write messages around the construction site. According to Paul, this event was meaningful for everyone involved because it allowed them to write messages that will live forever “in the heart of the building.”

Waukegan moves forward with plans for city 911 operation; ‘This provides everything we need’ (IL)

Waukegan officials decided last summer that joining Lake Consolidated Emergency Communications (LakeComm) — rather than dispatching police, fire and emergency medical services for the city itself — was the wrong move. Officials then began a search for the best solution.

Recognizing the aging dispatch center at the Waukegan Police Station needed an overhaul, city director of communications Tom Perfect said he found a location at the Waukegan International Airport for the city to start its own 911 operation. Services will be offered to other towns as well.

Minneapolis, Hennepin County dispatch centers unveil automatic 911 callback technology (MN)

Leaders from the Minneapolis and Hennepin County emergency communications and dispatch centers on Thursday unveiled a new technology to automatically call back abandoned 911 calls.

The new Automated Abandoned Call (AAC) system will be used effective immediately. The software helps the dispatch centers quickly answer and send resources. It also reduces the time dispatchers spend to manually call back abandoned calls.

Floyd 911 dispatching system ‘best it’s ever been,” officials say (KY)

Officials who oversee and monitor Floyd County’s 911 system say citizens are safer now than they were before dispatching services moved from Kentucky State Police Post 9 in Pikeville to the City of Prestonsburg due to better response time by law enforcement and emergency personnel.

“Unequivocally,” said Prestonsburg Police Chief Ross Shurtleff, who is also the city’s public safety director. “It is the best that it’s ever been.”