05/13/15
FirstNet: Why We Need It
An outage in Arizona demonstrates the dire need for a public service network like FirstNet. For about 15 hours no one could “access the Internet, call 911, use cellular devices, pay with credit cards or get cash from ATMs.” These may sound like an inconvenience to some, but to others who are experiencing a medical emergency or worse, it can mean life or death.
05/06/15
FirstNet: RFP Draft is Released
An article from GCN announces that FirstNet has released a draft of its request for proposal (RFP). FirstNet wanted to release the draft documents to give maximum opportunity for input for the final RFP. The final RFP is scheduled to be issued later this year.
04/29/15
FirstNet holds First State Point of Contact Meeting
In an article from Bill Schrier, a FirstNet State Point of Contact (SPOC), Schrier gives his impressions from the FirstNet SPOC first meeting.
04/22/15
FirstNet: Addressing Hurdles
In an article written by Joe Boucher, Chief Technology Officer at Mutualink, Boucher address three hurdles for FirstNet to overcome in order to make an effective public safety broadband network. He then provides several tactical approaches to solving these problems.
View Boucher’s thoughts in this Urgent Communications article.
04/15/15
FirstNet: This is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
Since 1994, the second full week of April has been considered National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. This week is dedicated to the men and women who answer the phones and help you at your most helpless time, when you call 911.
04/08/15
FirstNet Public Safety Advisory Committee Builds Working Relationships with Tribal Representatives
In late February, the FirstNet Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) met with tribal representatives for the first Tribal Working Group (TWG) meeting. The group’s goals are to ensure “full participation by federally recognized tribes in the nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN)” according to a FirstNet blog post.
04/01/15
FirstNet Put to the Test
The following is an excerpt from an interesting article that involves an event that put FirstNet into action at a live event in Vail, CO.
“The event in Vail was the 2015 International Ski Federation’s Alpine World Ski Championship, where Colorado public-safety agencies gathered to test drive the First Responder Network Authority’s (FirstNet) 700 MHz Band Class 14 Public Safety Long Term Evolution (LTE) Demonstration Network.”
03/25/15
FirstNet Urged to Make Key Decisions
The following is an excerpt from an interesting article urging the FirstNet board to make some tough decisions:
03/18/15
FirstNet: Internet for Public Safety
An article from FedTech illustrates how the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) will serve as a response to events like the Boston Marathon bombing.
See the full article from Fed Tech.
Connect Iowa, in partnership with the Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System Board, invites you to a FirstNet presentation near you. The calendar is available on the ISICSB website.
03/09/15
FirstNet Holds Special Meeting
From FirstNet.gov: The Board of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) will hold a Special Meeting via telephone conference on Monday, March 9, 2015, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Follow this link to learn how to join this free call.
