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Iowa is Helping Lead the Charge on FirstNet Project for Public Safety

Contributor: Amanda Laverman

Technology is in the works to make sure Iowans are kept safe in the event of emergency situations!

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) is a new national project that will establish a single, nationwide public safety broadband network allowing all state and national agencies to communicate with each other.

The broadband committee of the Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System Board  (ISICSB) recently met to review the results of an Iowa wireless data survey. It was conducted in the fall of 2012 and distributed to approximately 300 Iowa public safety entities in order to gather information about current and future public safety wireless broadband systems.

The survey was conducted as part of initial planning for the development of an interoperable communications network utilizing 4G LTE technology. FirstNet has been charged with the responsibility of designing, constructing, deploying and operating the network. Information from the survey will be used not only by ISICSB, but will be shared with FirstNet to assist them in its planning efforts. 

Two rounds of grant funding opportunities will be available to help states plan and implement the network, and the State of Iowa is prepared for next steps by having designated the governmental body (ISICSB) to serve as coordinator of the grant funds and conducting preliminary collection of data from public safety offices.  

For more updates on FirstNet and all other broadband related projects in Iowa, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

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