The First Responder Network Authority, established by Congress to build a nationwide broadband network for police, fire and other public safety agencies, delivered initial planning checklists to all 50 states on Wednesday, marking an important milestone in implementing one of the key recommendations of the 9\/11 Commission.<\/p>\n
With the readiness checklists, FirstNet officials also gave specific guidance they said will help planners in Washington, D.C., understand the specific needs of each state and set the stage for the first formal consultations between FirstNet planners and state emergency officials.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe release of the initial consultation package is an important next step in our coordination and planning work with the states, as well as implementing FirstNet\u2019s program roadmap,\u201d said TJ Kennedy, FirstNet’s deputy general manager. \u201cEach state plan will be developed through an iterative process, and this package will ensure a strong foundation as we begin consultations with each state and territory so we can hit the ground running.\u201d<\/p>\n
Established by the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, FirstNet is an independent entity within the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The law allocated additional wireless spectrum \u2014 the 700 MHz D-Block \u2014 to help first responders communicate more effectively during terrorist attacks and natural disasters.<\/p>\n
But while FirstNet is a nationwide effort born out of the lessons learned from the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when firefighters, police and other emergency responders experienced communication difficulties, experts acknowledge the network itself will be built at the state level. The goal is to upgrade and transition\u00a0the\u00a0more than 10,000 separate, incompatible and often proprietary land mobile radio networks that exist today to a modern, LTE-based network that can handle voice, data and video.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe key is to deliver a plan to the governor that is not only inclusive of the state\u2019s specific needs and desires, but also one that the governor is eager to sign,\u201d Kennedy said.<\/p>\n
The state planning documents come just two weeks after\u00a0the abrupt departure of General Manager Bill D\u2019Agostino.<\/p>\n
FirstNet, however, has continued to build momentum.\u00a0In March, the authority’s board voted to move forward with a strategic roadmap officials hope will lead to the development of a business plan, including a strategy for staffing and resources. Over the past several months, FirstNet has also built out its senior management team, pulling in experts from industry, government and public safety to lead the organization.<\/p>\n