APCO’s Spectrum Management Division (AFC) now offers Engineering and Licensing services for microwave systems in support of Public Safety Communications. The new services generally consist of the licensing of new, or modifications of existing Point-to-Point (PtP) radio links and Multiple Access Systems (MAS). Furthermore, an applicant may contact ACPO to re-license an expired call sign, or in some cases, we can petition the FCC for reconsideration to avoid cancellation of a license under certain circumstances. Additional services include Path Design, Path Status/Frequency Protection monitoring for point-to-point links, and assistance with the required FAA Studies and FCC Tower Registration…
As public safety leaders and longtime citizens of cities directly impacted on Sept. 11, 2001., frontline workers’ responses deeply affected us. What happened that day continues to inform our approach to public safety and inspires us to work harder.
Twenty years ago, the frontline workers who responded to the horrific attacks in New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania were unable to share a simple radio message and communications networks were overwhelmed.
Interoperability — the ability of the frontline to communicate with each other even if they use different telecom carriers — is critical to allow them to do their jobs safely and effectively and keep Americans safe. It allows first responders to coordinate their actions with full situational awareness of what is happening around them…
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Acting Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel released the agenda for the FCC’s upcoming September Open Commission Meeting, scheduled for September 30.
During the meeting, Commissioners will cover a wide range of topics, including network resiliency, IoT spectrum needs, promoting public safety, and expanding Tribal broadband access.
Items included on the meeting agenda are:
Promoting More Resilient Networks – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to examine the Wireless Network Resiliency Cooperative Framework, the FCC’s network outage reporting rules, and strategies to address the effect of power outages on communications networks.
Reassessing 4.9 GHz Band for Public Safety – The Commission will consider an Order on Reconsideration that would vacate the 2020 Sixth Report and Order, which adopted a state-by-state leasing framework for the 4.9 GHz band. The Commission also will consider an Eighth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would seek comment on a national framework for the 4.9 GHz band, ways to foster greater public safety use, and ways to facilitate compatible non-public safety access to the band…
A view of regional dispatch in Middleton as shown on the Wenham PD website. Photo by Nicolaus Czarnecki.
In July of 1999, Ipswich transitioned its emergency communication staffing from sworn police officers to a group of civilian personnel specifically trained and experienced in this rapidly complex task.
Dedicated professionals, their duties include call taking, dispatching police/fire and ambulance services, and assisting members of the public who enter the station-house lobby.
They provide police officers with the timely and accurate broadcast of emergencies, calls for assistance, and partner in their safety during vehicle stops when criminal history or operator information is requested…
Proposed budget-reconciliation legislation introduced in the U.S. House calls for $10 billion in federal funding to support implementing IP-based next-generation 911 (NG911) in the United States during the next four years, according to language in the massive multi-trillion-dollar budget-reconciliation proposal.
Grant money would be available to support eligible entities “implementing [NG911], operating and maintaining [NG911], training related to implementing, maintaining and operating [NG911], … and planning and implementation activities,” according to legislative text released on Thursday…
20 years ago, on September 11 planes hijacked by Al Qaeda operatives crashed into New York’s World Trade Center, killing more than 3,000 people and injuring thousands of others. After the attack, more than 100,000 responders and recovery workers from every US state – along with some 400,000 residents and other workers around ground zero – were exposed to a toxic cloud of dust that fell as a ghostly, thick layer of ash and then hung in the air for more than three months. Till date, the 2001 attack remains the deadliest terrorist attack in US history.
Needless to say, it was an emergency of epic proportions. But contrary to the opinions of some, the horrific incident does not have any correlation with the 9-1-1 US Emergency Phone Number helpline. For the uninitiated, the three digit number can generally be used for any police, fire or medic and provides direct access to a public safety answering point. The system has been used ever since the 1960s… READ MORE
Learn about current efforts to continue to protect the 4.9 GHz Band for public safety as well as recent filings, key decisions impacting these efforts, and how you can support PSSA’s initiative to protect the 4.9 GHz band for public safety.
