FirstNet

The first responder community has been advocating and waiting for a better communications network for years, and I’m happy to say that the wait is almost over. In 2017, FirstNet will deliver plans for each governor’s approval, and by the end of next year, we plan to lay the foundation for network deployment. It’s an exciting time for public safety, and it’s an exciting time for FirstNet.

The week of May 1 marks FirstNet’s first month in a public-private partnership with AT&T, working with its team of Motorola Solutions, General Dynamics, Sapient Consulting and Inmarsat Government on the successful deployment of the Network. Together, we've had an extremely productive month collaborating on a number of priorities, such as State Plans and the development of an online portal that will be used to deliver the plans to the states and territories. We have also had initial discussions regarding the FirstNet core network architecture.

FirstNet is pleased to announce, after a thorough search by our Board Chair Sue Swenson, and Board Vice Chair Jeff Johnson, Tom Sorley has been selected to serve as the new Chair of the Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC).

Sorley has served as a PSAC Vice Chair for four years, and is the PSAC representative from the US Conference of Mayors. As the current Deputy Chief Information Officer (CIO) - Public Safety for the City of Houston Information Technology Services (HITS), he is responsible for direct oversight of radio communications and IT services for the Houston Emergency Center, the city’s combined dispatch and emergency operations center. Sorley’s more than 30 years of public safety experience also includes work as the Public Safety Communications Division Manager for Orange County (FL). He holds a Bachelor's degree in Professional Management as well as a Masters of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Public Safety Communications Research Division (PSCR) has announced a $30 million grant funding opportunity to accelerate research, development, production, and testing of key broadband technologies and capabilities for first responders.

According to the funding opportunity announcement, eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, state and local governments, Indian tribes, hospitals, foreign public entities, and foreign governments. Applications must be submitted to Grant.gov by February 28, 2017.

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) outlined its readiness for a public-private partnership to deploy the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (Network), including a plan to ensure progress on key Network components in the first 100 days of the partnership. Meeting Dec 14 in Sacramento (CA), the FirstNet Board and executive team discussed major steps in the evolution of FirstNet as an operational entity. The Board also addressed how FirstNet will meet the objectives for initial deployment of the Network. Specifically, FirstNet leadership focused on the critical work to be completed during the first 100 days on core design and technology roadmaps, the state plans portal, and other network components.

"We are now in implementation mode and stand ready to move forward on this Network for public safety,” said FirstNet Chair Sue Swenson. “The first 100 days will be critical to setting the foundation for success; we are prepared from both an operational and planning standpoint to deliver public safety the network they deserve."