Bill Schrier

[Commentary] The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) is designing a nationwide wireless broadband LTE network for use by public safety. “Public safety” specifically includes traditional first responders -- law enforcement, firefighting and emergency medical response. But “public safety” also includes other services such as electrical and water utilities, transportation and even building inspectors --having structures built to withstand hurricanes and earthquakes is definitely a “public safety” issue! In the FirstNet design process, we emphasize “first response”.

We’ve developed a number of scenarios for such responses, for example school shootings, SWAT team actions, home and apartment fires, automobile accidents with injuries, and so forth. We think about scenarios where first responders are racing to a scene, lights flashing and sirens blaring, and what information they’ll be pulling down wirelessly to their smartphones or tablet computers to support the response. While most of the first responders to such incidents use a public safety wireless network only sparingly, if at all, responders will make considerable use of FirstNet once the initial situation on the scene is stabilized. In the aftermath, 4G LTE networks, including FirstNet, will be invaluable to dispatch centers and incident commanders.

[Schrier is a former CTO City of Seattle now with Office of the Chief Information Office, State of Washington]

[Commentary] The First Responder Network Authority is now two years into its ten-year life. But it appears to be going through a reboot.

Are its efforts stalled? The short answer is no. The longer answer: maybe. My take on what’s going on:

• I suspect there is an epic struggle going on within the Beltway for the control of FirstNet and its $7 billion in funding.
• FirstNet’s already had a hiring scandal.
• I think FirstNet has about 25 federal employees working for it. Their goal, I believe, is to have 100 or more full-time staff to do the work.
• Eight cities, regions and states around the country were funded for about $400 million under the federal stimulus (technically the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, ARRA/BTOP, a mouthful) or similar grants to build public safety LTE networks compatible with FirstNet. Many of these networks were well along. But when FirstNet was created in 2012, NTIA abruptly stopped seven of these projects, restricting their construction until FirstNet could review them and authorize them to be completed.
• In the fall of 2013 we in the states were hoping to have a lot of specifics in terms of materials and data requirements to conduct outreach and education for potential users in our states. We’re still waiting.

[Bill Schrier is senior policy advisor in the Office of the Chief Information Officer at the State of Washington]