Minneapolis, Minn. – During the Opening General Session of APCO’s 78th Annual Conference & Expo, Dr. Rebecca M. Blank, United States Acting Secretary of Commerce, announced the 15 members of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) Board. FirstNet is the governing body responsible for ensuring the deployment of a nationwide, advanced, interoperable public safety broadband network pursuant to the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. This legislation tasked the Secretary with appointing the initial members of the FirstNet Board by August 20th.

“We are honored that Secretary Blank chose APCO’s Annual Conference as the site for making this announcement of such great importance to all of public safety across the country,” said APCO President Gregg Riddle. President Riddle added “we commend the Secretary and staff from the National Telecommunications & Information Administration for their hard work and diligence in selecting the Board including Chairman Samuel Ginn. We look forward to working with the FirstNet Board to successfully implement the public safety legislation.”

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