by ECC Editor | May 9, 2022 | Articles, Comm Center News
By James Careless
It was the kind of funding news that many first responders were hoping for. On February 22, 2022, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel proposed using revenues from future spectrum auctions to fund Next Gen (NG) 911 rollouts across the United States. She made the proposal during a speech at Washington’s National Press Club to mark FirstNet’s 10th anniversary.
“Historically, our nation’s 911 systems have been updated through fees on bills and a mix of town, county, and state funding measures. But as with first responder communications, it’s time for a nationwide, digital upgrade,” said Rosenworcel. “Once again, we would be using the auction of public airwaves to support public safety. And the funds would flow to every state and jurisdiction with 911 call centers to help make next-generation 911 a reality nationwide… READ MORE
by ECC Editor | May 7, 2022 | Articles, Comm Center News
In 2021, NBC Washington reported that nearly 100,000 emergency 911 calls in the D.C. region were sent to the wrong call centers or required transfers to reach the correct jurisdiction due to outdated technology.
Those 100,000 calls represented 100,000 lives possibly facing life-threatening situations. Over the years, the country has felt the adverse effects of 911 call centers using antiquated technology.
Service issues, faulty phone software, overwhelming call volumes and even hackers have demonstrated that older systems are vulnerable. Our communities need efficient, responsive and updated technologies… READ MORE
by AllThingsECC.com | May 6, 2022 | Articles, Comm Center News
From April 24 – 29, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) hosted JamX 22, an exercise to counter electronic jamming at White Sands Missile Range with federal, state, local and industry participants. Building on the lessons learned from past JamX exercises in 2016 and 2017, S&T and CISA have partnered on research, technology developments, and new training to increase federal and first responder resilience to signal jamming threats…
by AllThingsECC.com | May 5, 2022 | Articles, Comm Center News
During its quarterly meeting May 4, the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) approved reinvestment into the FirstNet network that will help improve indoor coverage for first responders.
At the meeting in New Hampshire, the board approved an investment to expand services for network coverage via small-cell technologies. The investment aims to increase FirstNet coverage where public-safety agencies operate indoors, such as police headquarters, fire stations, emergency communication centers (ECCs), and other critical sites and field locations…
by AllThingsECC.com | May 5, 2022 | Articles, Comm Center News
Those who have been reading the Advocate for any length of time know I rarely feature individuals in my articles but when I do, it is to impart information that is unique in some way. This first issue in May is written to tell you more about one of the people who made FirstNet possible and then joined the FirstNet Authority to serve as its CEO for almost nine years. Now he has decided to take his talents to the private sector to pursue a new opportunity.
Many articles have been written about Ed Parkinson this past week, but I have yet to see one that reaches back to when Ed was a staff member for the House of Representatives, Homeland Security Committee, Chaired by Representative King…
by AllThingsECC.com | May 4, 2022 | Articles, Comm Center News
For almost a century, radios have been the primary means of communication within the public safety community, linking personnel to their dispatchers and each other. Since the advent of Project 25 (P25) more than 30 years ago, land mobile radio (LMR) systems have become interoperable and acquired a long list of enhanced features and capabilities. While designed primarily for group and individual voice services, LMR systems today offer end-to-end encryption and low-speed, non-broadband data applications for location services, over-the-air rekeying (OTAR), and limited data exchange. The Joint SAFECOM/National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (NCSWIC) P25 User Needs Working Group (UNWG) developed the Land Mobile Radio (LMR)/Long Term Evolution (LTE) Integration: Best Practices whitepaper to share a snapshot of best practices and integration use cases identified by a variety of public safety members across the country during interviews conducted by P25 UNWG members and supported by CISA…
