Incorporating FirstNet into Emergency Response Exercises

by AllThingsECC.com | May 3, 2019 | Articles, Comm Center News

By Doug Harder, Senior Public Safety Advisor, First Responder Network Authority

Last month, the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) had the opportunity to join public safety leaders at Texas A&M University Internet 2 Technology Evaluation Center’s (ITEC) Winter Institute Workshop and Exercise.

During the two day event, the FirstNet Authority observed an exercise supported by AT&T’s Response Operations Program at Texas A&M University Engineering Extension Service’s (TEEX) Disaster City®. The exercise used FirstNet to demonstrate how the network could enhance operational communications during an earthquake scenario. 

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Arizona Leaders Gather to Discuss Public Safety Broadband

by AllThingsECC.com | Apr 20, 2019 | Articles, Comm Center News

By David Faulkner, Senior Public Safety Advisor

On March 27, the State of Arizona held a public safety broadband forum for first responders, public administrators, and IT support personnel to discuss FirstNet and its impact on the state’s public safety broadband needs. More than 60 local, state, and federal public safety officials gathered in Phoenix to hear from government and industry leaders about the latest developments in FirstNet’s capabilities, discuss their network operational needs, and learn about recent FirstNet use cases.

The forum included a public safety panel discussion with Andy Seybold, Andrew Seybold Inc.; Scott Edson, Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS); Randy Thompson, City of Mesa; Kevin Rogers, Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS); and Morgan Hoaglin, Arizona Division of Emergency Management.

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Brazos County, Texas, Sheriff Embraces 21st Century Public Safety Tech

by AllThingsECC.com | Apr 13, 2019 | Articles, Comm Center News

The local sheriff’s department shares its experience with the FirstNet dedicated public safety broadband network.

by Melissa Delaney

Brazos County, Texas got its first glimpse into the future in 2010. Police Sgt. Josh Hearen attended a demonstration for the nation’s first public safety broadband network in neighboring Harris County, a First Responders Network Authority (FirstNet) Early Builder. 

“Josh planted the seed here that maybe we could work off that core antenna and test some of the devices,” recalls Brazos County Sheriff Chris Kirk. Harris County loaned them six devices, and the test proved successful. Within a few years, Brazos County was operating on band class 14 — the public safety spectrum — and continued until November 2017, when Texas opted into FirstNet. “We started the project the week of Thanksgiving,” says Kirk, and they haven’t looked back. 

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Virginia Roadmap Engagement Addresses Critical Voice, Data Needs

by AllThingsECC.com | Apr 12, 2019 | Articles, Comm Center News

By Lori Stone, Senior Public Safety Advisor (DC, DE, MD, VA, WV)

As part of our Roadmap Engagements, the First Responder Network Authority’s (FirstNet Authority) Public Safety Advocacy (PSA) team was pleased to recently hold a Mission Critical Services Workshop in Fairfax County, VA.

Public safety officials from across the DC Metro area joined us for an event to learn more about the current and future efforts surrounding the recently announced FirstNet Authority Roadmap. The goal of the planned Roadmap is to help advance and evolve the FirstNet network. We are highly focused on ensuring the Roadmap captures public safety’s most critical communications needs.

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PSAP Leadership Perceptions of Quality: A Six-Dimensional Model

by AllThingsECC.com | Apr 9, 2019 | Articles, Comm Center News

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Abstract

Introduction: Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) quality can have life-or-death implications. The quality of service provided by PSAPs is inconsistent due to the lack of mandatory standards of care at the national, state, and local levels. Public demands and duties placed on PSAPs have grown due to technological changes, civil cases alleging negligence, and the emergence of national recommended standards of care, yet governments at all levels have been slow to create governance structures to reinforce adherence to standards.

Methods: This article focuses on the question: How do PSAP leaders measure performance based on their definition of quality? The method used is directed content analysis, including analysis of interview and focus group data.

Results: As a result of this study, a new six-dimensional model for quality emerged. Participants defined PSAP quality as achieving balance across a continuum of nuanced variables because a single 911 call may have “99 tasks that need to be done.” Telecommunicators must: (a) Be fast AND accurate, (b) Use their judgement AND follow the protocol, and (c) Utilize all available technology AND prepare for that same technology to fail.

Conclusion: PSAP leaders should consider instructing new employees with the sixdimensional model to set expectations of performance while avoiding the perception of false dichotomies. This model should also be considered when implementing new quality improvement programs or procedures. By considering the totality and complexity of quality definitions, PSAP leaders can allow for reasonable variation and thus curb anxiety and frustration among their employees.

Topics:emergency dispatch|evidence-based management|leadership|public saftey answering points|quality improvement|standard of care