![Case Study: How FirstNet helped a Texas agency improve use of mobile video technologies]()
by AllThingsECC.com | Dec 8, 2017 | Comm Center News
In order for first responders to reap the full benefits of mobile video technologies, public safety must have access to a robust and reliable network
The Brazos County Sheriff’s Office saw a unique opportunity to maintain the community’s security and safety by taking part in the FirstNet early-builder program to test network coverage and performance with Band 14 (B14) Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology.
While serving as lieutenant at the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office, Thomas Randall played a key role experimenting and testing digital video technologies for the department. Today, law enforcement and other first responders rely on countless video technologies to augment their day-to-day operations. (Photo by Kyle S. Richardson, FirstNet Senior Public Safety Liaison)
At first glance, Brazos County is like most other sprawling Texas communities with deep roots in farming and ranching. One look at the bustling city of Bryan or the thriving academic center of Texas A&M University explains why this southeast central part of Texas is quickly becoming known as an ideal place to raise a family or start a business.
While growth and prosperity are good news for any community, first responders face daily challenges keeping growing communities safe in both the urban and rural areas.
Any advantage they can gain for the safety of the public, is a plus.
FIRSTNET EARLY-BUILDER PROGRAM
Today, law enforcement and other first responders rely on countless video technologies to augment their day-to-day operations – including the use of security cameras, traffic and toll-booth cameras, license plate readers, patrol-car cameras and body-worn cameras.
During Lieutenant Thomas Randall’s (ret.) 37-year tenure in law enforcement, including time spent serving Brazos County Sheriff’s Department, he played a key role experimenting and testing digital video technologies for the department. His experience in the field led to the understanding that combining the full package of dashboard, backseat and body-worn cameras while on the scene provides the most accurate representation of an incident for an officer to conduct fair and unbiased investigations.
Yet in order for first responders to reap the full benefits of mobile video technologies, public safety must have access to a robust and reliable network operating on bandwidth dedicated exclusively to public safety use. The issues of inadequate broadband capacity and coverage are further complicated by first responders competing with the general public for limited bandwidth to run their devices. Ordinarily, a bad connection is a mere nuisance, but in times of emergency, a congested network can severely impact a first responder’s ability to communicate or compromise the safety and lives of the public or fellow responders.
[su_button url=”www.policeone.com/policing-in-the-video-age/articles/467250006-Case-study-How-FirstNet-helped-a-Texas-agency-improve-use-of-mobile-video-technologies/”]READ FULL ARTICLE[/su_button]
by AllThingsECC.com | Aug 16, 2017 | Comm Center News
DENVER—Dispatchers, call-takers and other personnel working in public-safety answering points will have priority access immediately to FirstNet—and preemptive access by the end of the year—FirstNet officials announced this week during the APCO 2017 show.
“When they came out with the list of people with first access, first priority for FirstNet, 911 professionals are included in that group,” Bill Hinkle, FirstNet’s senior 911 adviser, said Sunday during a session exploring the relationship between 911 and FirstNet. “So, 911 will have the same level of access that our first responders have.”
[su_button url=”http://urgentcomm.com/public-safety-broadbandfirstnet/psap-personnel-receive-priority-preemptive-access-firstnet” target=”blank” style=”flat” background=”#005a8c” radius=”0″ class=”.button-sc”]READ MORE[/su_button]
by AllThingsECC.com | Aug 16, 2017 | Comm Center News
The visual report was created to help local leaders understand how the two resources can work together to improve emergency communication
By EMS1 Staff
WASHINGTON —The National 911 Program and NASNA teamed up to create a guide to help authorities better understand how to use NG911 and FirstNet.
911.gov reported that the two organizations created a visual resource to lay out the differences and similarities between NG911 and FirstNet, and how they can together improve communication in emergency situations.
The resource is available to download on 911.gov.
[su_button url=”https://www.911.gov/pdf/REDFLASH_051017_911Magazine-webspreads.pdf” target=”blank” style=”flat” background=”#005a8c” radius=”0″ class=”.button-sc”]DOWNLOAD[/su_button]
![Case Study: How FirstNet helped a Texas agency improve use of mobile video technologies]()
by AllThingsECC.com | Jul 18, 2017 | Comm Center News
FirstNet and AT&T officials have long stated that public-safety agencies within “opt-in” states immediately can take advantage of priority access across the AT&T network, but even existing AT&T customers first need to subscribe to a FirstNet plan to realize the priority functionality, according to AT&T.
FirstNet and AT&T officials have long stated that public-safety agencies within “opt-in” states immediately can take advantage of priority access across the AT&T network, but even existing AT&T customers first need to subscribe to a FirstNet plan to realize the priority functionality, according to AT&T.
“Current AT&T state, local and tribal first responders of AT&T service in opt-in states would need to move to a FirstNet plan to purchase FirstNet service as primary users and take advantage of the specialized features, such as quality of service and priority access,” according to an AT&T statement.
[su_button url=”http://urgentcomm.com/public-safety-broadbandfirstnet/att-firstnet-officials-shed-light-near-term-implementation-efforts” target=”blank” style=”flat” background=”#005a8c” radius=”0″ class=”.button-sc”]READ FULL ARTICLE[/su_button]
by AllThingsECC.com | Jun 28, 2017 | Comm Center News
Harris County Texas After Action Report of the operational use of the Harris County LTE system at Super Bowl LI – the first large scale event to formally incorporate mobile data communications and operations plans.
[su_button url=”https://hclte.harriscountytx.gov/Documents/SBLI%20FirstNet%20AAR%20Final.pdf” target=”blank” style=”flat” background=”#005a8c” radius=”0″ class=”.button-sc”]ACCESS FULL REPORT[/su_button]
by AllThingsECC.com | Jan 6, 2012 | Comm Center News
Blue Ribbon Panel on 9-1-1 Funding
Friday, January 6, 2012
The National 9-1-1 Program is interested in funding a project to conduct a Blue Ribbon Panel on 9-1-1 Funding. The Panel was recommended by Working Group 4B of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council (CSRIC), a formal FCC advisory group whose report to the FCC was delivered in March of 2011. The primary objective of this project is to utilize stakeholder input to complete a document containing options for local, State and national 9-1-1 funding and oversight models, specifically developed by an organization with expertise in economics.
Multiple organizations both public and private have produced reports stating the deficiencies of current models in providing adequate funding and oversight for the provision of 9-1-1 services. Present methods of funding 9-1-1 systems vary widely, are shifting as the public’s methods of communication evolve, and are challenged by a variety of other factors, including inequity in collections across types of telecommunication service, collection challenges with services such as prepaid wireless, auditing issues, and diversion of funds for non-9-1-1 purposes. While there is no consensus on how to fund and/or oversee 9-1-1 services, there is agreement that the transition to the Next Generation of 9-1-1 will require the development of new funding models. As stated in the 4B report, “Without implementation of new funding models to provide an adequate alternate and additional source of revenue for NG9‑1‑1 systems, the transition period to NG9‑1‑1 will be protracted and compromised, service to our citizens will be jeopardized, and Public Safety’s ability to keep pace with technological developments will be hampered.”
NHTSA would like to answer the following questions:
What funding and oversight models currently exist for 9-1-1 services at the local, State and national levels?
What is the contractor’s economic analysis of current funding and oversight models?
Are current funding and oversight models or portions of current models adaptable as 9-1-1 services migrate to NG9-1-1?
What economic principles and/or theories should be applied in developing funding and oversight models for local, State and national 9-1-1 authorities?
Are there examples of other funding and oversight models from other public or private entities that could be adopted or adapted for us by 9-1-1 services?
Given the current status of 9-1-1 nationwide and the goal of migrating to NG9-1-1, which models show promise in providing consistent funding and oversight in the provision of 9-1-1 services?
Entities interested in participating in this project can click here for more information. |
|
