by AllThingsECC.com | Aug 21, 2020 | Articles, Comm Center News
By Tip Osterthaler, FirstNet Authority Board Chair
I am honored to have been appointed chair of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) Board. As I take the helm of the Board today, I am eager to continue to drive progress for all of public safety.
I first became involved with the FirstNet Authority in 2018, joining the Board just one year after the public-private partnership with AT&T was formed. Since then, I have had the opportunity to watch the network come to life with extensive buildout and widespread adoption among public safety. As the Finance Committee Chair, I was involved in shaping some of our most important activities of the last two years – including disciplined budgets that fund our organization and guide the future of the network. The Committee also had a key role in developing the FirstNet Authority Roadmap and the first set of network investments. READ MORE
by AllThingsECC.com | Aug 21, 2020 | Articles, Comm Center News
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently launched a webpage to promote the rebranded Tribal Emergency Communications Program, which supports direct consultation to tribes and Alaska Native communities to strengthen public safety communications. CISA assists tribes with public safety operable and interoperable communications through advocacy and consultative…
by ECC Editor | Aug 20, 2020 | Articles, Comm Center News
The Texas Commission on State Emergency Communications (CSEC) adopted AT&T ESInet as its NextGen9-1-1 platform to transition 17 Regional Planning Commission (RPC) public safety answering points (PSAPs) to NG9-1-1. The first nine counties, which are part of the Nortex RPC, recently went live with AT&T ESInet serving nearly 80,000 Texans with a more reliable and improved 9-1-1 experience.
AT&T ESInet is built on AT&T’s IP network. The IP-based call routing service uses i3 standards from the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) to modernize legacy 9-1-1 infrastructure… READ MORE
by AllThingsECC.com | Aug 20, 2020 | Articles, Comm Center News
There is a lot happening this month. Unfortunately, since Congress is taking its usual August break, there won’t be any further action to repeal the T-Band nor will there be any activity in Next-Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) funding. Further, there does not appear to be any progress in coordinating, funding, and finally serving many in rural America who still do not have access to broadband. Meanwhile, the FCC has turned down petitions from both the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) that call for a stay of the order issued by the FCC in April 2020 permitting secondary use of the already heavily used 6-GHz spectrum…
by AllThingsECC.com | Aug 19, 2020 | Articles
When I began my career in public safety as a front-line dispatcher in 2001, I quickly realized that my job was no longer just a “job.” It was a career that provided the opportunity to help my fellow citizens in the Augusta community. I set my sights on moving into a leadership position, where I could make an even greater impact, and began to work toward that goal.
When I moved into the sergeant role a few years later, I had my first taste of leadership. The traditional challenges that can take place when moving from colleague to boss became apparent, and I began looking into training programs to help me gain a better understanding of leadership. This was my first step in building my professional training toolkit…
by AllThingsECC.com | Aug 17, 2020 | Articles, Comm Center News
By Randy Richmond, W7HMT
In March 2018, the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network known as First Responder Network Authority, in contract with AT&T, was launched as FirstNet®, the first nationwide 4G LTE communications platform dedicated for public safety’s wireless broadband needs. The 2012 Spectrum Act, which funded FirstNet, sallows the dedicated band on the 700 MHz spectrum to be shared with second responders (extended primary status), such as people in healthcare, utilities, transportation, and supporting volunteer groups, including the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®). Here’s how ARES members can apply for a subscription to FirstNet and use this tool for public service applications. READ MORE
