Government
FCC Seeks Comments on Technical Interoperability Framework for Public Safety Broadband Network
February 24, 2011The Commission seeks comments on the development of a technical interoperability framework for the nationwide public safety broadband network. This document considers and proposes additional requirements to further promote and enable nationwide interoperability among public safety broadband networks operating in the 700 MHz band. This document addresses public safety broadband network interoperability from a technological perspective and considers interoperability at various communication layers.
Read full articleFCC CSRIC Final Meeting on March 14
February 24, 2011In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the FCC’s Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council (CSRIC) will hold its final meeting on March 14, 2011, at 9 a.m. in the Commission Meeting Room of the Federal Communications Commission, Room TW-C305, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554.
Read full articleAPCO Lauds Chairman Rockefeller’s Top Priority for Public Safety
February 17, 2011Alexandria, Va. — APCO supports remarks made on Wednesday by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John D. “Jay” Rockefeller, IV, at a hearing on Capitol Hill to discuss development of a nationwide wireless, mission-critical broadband network for first responders.
Read full articleReality on the Ground
February 17, 2011“When an emergency happens, we rely on first responders like police, firefighters and public safety officials to keep us from harm. Far too often we talk about the important role these brave first responders play, but fail to give them the tools they need to do their job,” said Sen. John D. Rockefeller at Wednesday’s hearing on Safeguarding Our Future: Building a Nationwide Network for First Responders.
Read full articleOEC Hires Region IV Regional Coordinator
February 11, 2011The Office of Emergency Communications (OEC) has a new Regional Coordinator (RC), John MacLean. John will represent Region IV (FL,…
Read full articleSatellite Industry Association Appointed to FCC Emergency Response Interoperability Center Public Safety Advisory Committee
February 11, 2011Washington, D.C. FEBRUARY 7, 2011 – The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has appointed the Satellite Industry Association (SIA) to…
Read full articlePresident Obama Details Plan to Win the Future through Expanded Wireless Access
February 10, 2011The 9/11 Commission noted that our homeland security is vulnerable, in part, due to the lack of interoperable wireless communication among first responders. The rollout of 4G high speed wireless services provides a unique opportunity to deploy such a system. President Obama’s budget calls for a $10.7 billion commitment to support the development and deployment of a nationwide wireless broadband network to afford public safety agencies with far greater levels of effectiveness and interoperability. An important element of this plan is the reallocation of the D Block for public safety and $500 million within the WIN Fund.
Read full articleFCC Action Paves Way for First-Ever Presidential Alert to be Aired Across U.S. on Nation’s Emergency Alert System
February 4, 2011The Federal Communications Commission took action to help pave the way for the first-ever presidential alert to be aired across the U.S. on the nation’s Emergency Alert System (EAS). The national test will help determine the reliability of the EAS system and its effectiveness in notifying the public of emergencies and potential danger nationwide and regionally.
Read full articleNarrowbanding & You
February 1, 2011On the APCO Open Forum, we are starting to see more inquiries and discussions about narrowbanding. One thing we all have to keep in mind is the deadline: Jan. 1, 2013. This is the drop-dead date per the FCC order. What does this mean to us as first responders? Here’s where your homework assignment starts. Locate all your radio licenses. If you are currently licensed in the VHF spectrum (150–174 MHz) or the UHF spectrum (421–512 MHz) for almost any purpose, narrowbanding will affect you.
Read full articleSecond Meeting Set for Emergency Access Advisory Committee
January 28, 2011Washinton, D.C. — The Committee’s second meeting will take place on Friday, February 11, 2011, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST), at Commission Headquarters.
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