by AllThingsECC.com | Feb 24, 2022 | Comm Center News
This week, U.S. Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., showcased her proposal to “prevent the sunset of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), a nationwide broadband network for public safety communications” which “was created to fulfill one of the central recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.
Demings, who served more than a quarter-century in the Orlando Police Department where she rose to serve as police chief, is currently running for the Democratic nomination to challenge U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla…
by AllThingsECC.com | Feb 24, 2022 | Articles, Comm Center News
By Edward Parkinson, CEO, First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority)
Broadband has become the lifeblood of our economy. It is also essential to our national security and public safety, a fact that first responders recognized many years ago. The tragedies of September 11th revealed fundamental problems with the communication systems used by our nation’s first responders. They needed a more advanced telecommunications infrastructure for their lifesaving mission, a reliable one to help them communicate and share information during emergencies and daily operations.
In the years following the terrorist attacks, public safety from across all disciplines, including 9-1-1, EMS, fire service and law enforcement, joined together to advocate for their own high-speed broadband network. In 2012, Congress enacted a law to create the First Responder Network Authority within the Department of Commerce to ensure the building, deployment and operation of FirstNet, America’s only nationwide public safety broadband network.
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by AllThingsECC.com | Feb 23, 2022 | Comm Center News
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla. — An Indian River County deputy is being praised for saving a man who overdosed on heroin in front of young children.
The rescue is also highlighting a newer tool being used by deputies to help them better prepare for high-stress, emotional calls.
Before deputies used Live911, they could see a 911 call was coming in but they couldn’t hear it. Now, Live911 is a system installed in every patrol car that allows deputies to hear the calls, gauge the emotions and the tension of a potential scene, and respond with a better idea of what they’re heading into…
by AllThingsECC.com | Feb 23, 2022 | Articles, Comm Center News
How does FirstNet help bridge the digital divide? Over the past 5 years (2017–2021), AT&T’s total investment in the United States, including capital investment and acquisitions of wireless spectrum, was more than $130 billion. And the FirstNet network expansion is one way we are helping ensure all of public safety – and the communities they serve – have access to critical connectivity to help meet the urgent challenges of today and tomorrow.
We already cover more than 99% of the U.S. population today, but FirstNet is built for all public safety. That means every first responder – career or volunteer; federal, tribal, state or local; urban, suburban or rural, and those that support them…
by ECC Editor | Feb 23, 2022 | Articles, Comm Center News
The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) is responsible for establishing a nationwide public-safety broadband network. GAO identified four key statutory requirements and contract responsibilities currently performed by FirstNet that the Congress should address before FirstNet would sunset in 2027. For example, FirstNet oversees the network contract awarded to AT&T in 2017 (see figure). The current statute does not identify another federal entity to assume oversight when FirstNet sunsets. Without any legislative action, network operations and improvements would be at risk and could result in the loss of service for public-safety users. Another example is FirstNet’s responsibility to collect fees and to reinvest these funds to enhance the network. FirstNet expects to collect and reinvest $18 billion in fees from AT&T over the 25-year duration of the contract with AT&T… READ MORE
by AllThingsECC.com | Feb 23, 2022 | Comm Center News
CALDWELL, NJ — The Caldwell Borough Council unanimously passed a resolution on Feb. 15 that terminates a shared services agreement with West Caldwell for 911 emergency and non-emergency dispatch services.
The agreement initially began in 2017 and will terminate effective Dec. 31, 2022. The resolution noted that the borough will “research and consider all options for the provision of such services in the future that will most benefit the residents of the Borough of Caldwell.”
Council president Jeff Gates, under “new business,” addressed the request from the West Essex First Aid Squad for a vehicle to be used by supervisors to respond to calls. The request was for consideration of the borough providing a used vehicle when a new one would be procured by another department…
