by AllThingsECC.com | Oct 28, 2020 | Articles, Comm Center News
SAFECOM, an organization within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), has issued a white paper on how public safety agencies can prepare for communications issues associated with dependencies on third-party partners.
The paper, titled “Public Safety Communications Dependencies on Non-Agency Infrastructure and Services,” highlights procedures on how to plan for such events, CISA’s Ted Lawson said in a blog post published Monday…
by AllThingsECC.com | Oct 27, 2020 | Articles, Comm Center News
IWCE Virtual on August 24-27,2020 brought the global critical communications community together for 5 days of education, networking, new technology trends and much more! Now you can catch up on up on some of the most impactful sessions you might have missed at the show.
In this session, you’ll hear several OEMs and other experts discuss DAS and BDAs for public safety and the current state of the Emergency Responder and Radio Communications Systems (ERRCS). In-building wireless has become an integral part of critical infrastructure for both first responders and citizens, and the marketplace for in-building coverage has expanded dramatically, with FirstNet, new materials and processes in cabling, and new jurisdictional requirements…
by AllThingsECC.com | Oct 26, 2020 | Articles, Comm Center News
In an emergency situation, first responders need to have access to robust, reliable in-building communications systems–you won’t find any disagreement among public safety leaders and authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) as well as building owners, systems integrators and technology vendors on this point. But if that’s the case, then why haven’t these critical communications systems widely proliferated throughout buildings of all sizes and functions?
To be sure, notable progress has been made over the last 20 years. But given some 5.5 million buildings, that aforementioned stakeholders are just not scaling fast enough, affordably enough, or cooperatively enough to meet market demand…
by ECC Editor | Oct 23, 2020 | Articles, Comm Center News
The results of a workplace assessment recently completed for Tucson’s Public Safety Communications Department has caused concern among city leaders who are working to address “fundamental problems in the operation of the department.”
The department is responsible for dispatching 9-1-1 calls for police and fire departments.
The third-party review by Traaen & Associates LLC includes interviews with 108 employees and outlines a variety of workplace issues, including staffing levels, recruitment, training, employee morale, instances of harassment and lack of accountability… READ MORE
by AllThingsECC.com | Oct 23, 2020 | Articles, Comm Center News
Motorola was the only company interested in bidding on an expensive project to update Virginia’s statewide public safety radio system, an outcome that led a competitor to complain the process was one-sided and drew scrutiny from a top lawmaker.
The Statewide Agencies Radio System, or STARS, began with a $329 million contract between the state and Motorola in 2004, with the goal of establishing a 24/7, digital voice and data communications system used by nearly two dozen state agencies…
by AllThingsECC.com | Oct 23, 2020 | Articles, Comm Center News
FirstNet announced a major expansion to its high-speed broadband communications platform for first responders this week, with additional cell sites and more than 2,000 other network enhancements tacked onto its Florida operations.
These additions will include cell sites constructed for the Band 14 and AT&T commercial spectrums at locations identified as priority spots by both state and public safety stakeholders. Band 14 is a nationwide spectrum granted to FirstNet specifically by the government for the only nationwide high-speed broadband communications platform. Additionally, FirstNet is giving free smartphones for life, with unlimited plans to first responders…
