12/21/15
FirstNet: RFP Approved by FirstNet Board
According to an article in Telecompaper, “The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) Board has announced approval of the Request for Proposal (RFP) to deploy the nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN) and directed management to take all necessary actions to release the RFP in early January.”
12/16/15
FIRSTNET: What Agencies Can Do Now
One common question FirstNet gets during our presentations and workshops is, “What can we be doing now?” NetMotion Wireless, a company dedicated to providing discerning businesses with the most secure and reliable mobile VPN technology on the market, is working toward that answer.
12/09/15
FirstNet Explores BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Option
Part of what makes FirstNet unique is that the First Responder Network Authority has set out to hear the requirements from the people who will be using the system daily. One question that keeps reoccurring is: “Will FirstNet allow personal devices on the NPSBN?”
Preexisting devices, like those currently used in the medical field, are costly to replace to fit the FirstNet concept of a nationwide public safety broadband network.
12/02/15
FirstNet: NetMotion Wireless Makes FirstNet Trials a Breeze
Those public-safety officials looking to evaluate wireless broadband options from FirstNet and commercial carriers can now do so. NetMotion Wireless has released a software package that “supports two 700 MHz Band 14 devices today and is expected to support many more during the next year,” according to an article from Urgent Communications.
11/24/15
FirstNet: Push-to-Talk Functionality Shows Promise
The Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States prompted the 9/11 Commission to recommend a dedicated public safety communications network. This network would be interoperable and nationwide to resolve the communication issues emergency responders face when tragedy strikes. The First Responder Network Authority, or FirstNet, an organization created in 2012 as part of the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation, is overseeing the building of the network.
11/18/15
RECAP: Region 2 Regional Operability Committee Workshop
Last week, the Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System Board (ISICSB), in cooperation with Connect Iowa, held an all-day, interactive workshop designed to further the progress of the First Responders Network Authority (FirstNet) in Iowa. The primary purpose of these workshops is to create a regional interoperability committee (RIC).
11/09/15
RECAP: Region 3 Regional Operability Committee Workshop
Last week, the Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System Board (ISICSB), in cooperation with Connect Iowa, held an all-day, interactive workshop designed to further the progress of the First Responders Network Authority (FirstNet) in Iowa. The primary purpose of these workshops is to create a regional interoperability committee (RIC).
11/04/15
FirstNet: Vehicular Network System (VNS)
The FirstNet Chief Technology Officer wrote a blog on the Vehicular Network System (VNS) that elaborates its role in emergencies. FirstNet believes that the VNS will play a key role within the deployment of the nationwide public safety broadband network.
From the blog, FirstNet shares that “the VNS concept is still being addressed by industry players, but it would likely comprise technologies such as:
10/28/15
TOMORROW: Regional Interoperability Region 3 Workshop
The Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System Board (ISICSB) will be conducting a series of meetings related to the deployment of FirstNet within Iowa. Additionally these regional meetings will establish the creation of Regional Interoperability Committees (RICs) within each of the six Iowa homeland security regions.
10/21/15
RECAP: Region 4 RIC Workshop Announces Newly Elected Officials
Public Safety Officials from the Creston area gathered to discuss FirstNet case studies and hold Regional Interoperability Committee Elections
