Month: May 2017

FirstNet, NTIA Officials Stress Difficulty of States Contracting to Build RANs

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May 19, 2017–Officials from the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration last night said that states hoping to contract to build their own radio access networks (RANs) rather than having AT&T, Inc., FirstNet’s network partner, do so will face hurdles in getting authorization from the federal government and constructing and maintaining the system.

At an event on FirstNet organized by the Federal Communications Bar Association’s engineering and technical and homeland security and emergency communications committees, Jason Karp, FirstNet’s chief counsel, said, “When we say opt out, what we’re saying is the state is going to make the decision to take on the operational, financial, technical responsibility to build, deploy, maintain, and upgrade the radio access network portion of the nationwide network in their state for the life and perpetuity of that network. That’s what it means. It’s a big undertaking.”

He also said, “When we say opt out … that’s a poor term because no one’s opting out of anything. This is intended to be a nationwide network.”

Marsha MacBride, NTIA’s associate administrator-Office of Public Safety Communications, stressed the difficulty that states will face in securing a spectrum lease to operate their own RAN. Continue reading →

FirstNet and Public Safety Broadband Data Implications for Rural EMS Organizations Published

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This Week is National Emergency Medical Services Week. This year’s theme is “EMS STRONG:  Always in Service.” National Emergency Medical Services Week brings together local communities and medical personnel to publicize safety and honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of medicine’s “front line.” The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) was instrumental in establishing EMS Week when President Gerald Ford declared November 3-10, 1974, as the first National Emergency Medical Services Week. This annual observance continued for 4 more years and was then reinstituted by ACEP in 1982. May 21 to 27 is National Emergency Medical Services Week 2017.

FirstNet and Public Safety Broadband Data Implications for Rural EMS Organizations Published. NPSTC‘s EMS Communications Working Group includes representatives of NPSTC and National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO). This white paper highlights unique issues facing rural EMS agencies and examines how public safety broadband communications may be used to support and enhance EMS service delivery.

Rural EMS providers have unique challenges that are vastly different from their urban and suburban sister agencies. These challenges exist in three areas:  time, resources, and incident types. Access to high-speed public safety broadband services will provide solutions to mitigate some of these issues while enhancing EMS operations and patient care. As a result, it is likely that rural EMS providers will enjoy a greater benefit from public safety broadband wireless communications systems. For many, what was once perceived as a futuristic technology, such as in-the-field ultrasound examination of a trauma patient or live video consultation with a pediatrician, is now becoming a reality.

In 2015, NPSTC initiated a questionnaire, asking how EMS and hospitals will use telemedicine, and replies were received from more than 670 agencies. Published in 2016, the EMS Telemedicine Report: Prehospital Use of Video Technologies is a comprehensive report on the use of video technology by EMS agencies, hospitals, and trauma centers. In 2013, the NPSTC Broadband EMS Working Group created the EMS Broadband Application List for FirstNet PSAC. This document highlighted 37 software applications designed to support EMS and was provided to FirstNet to help illustrate the critical role that applications will play. The group is currently working on updates to that report.

FCC Seeks Comment on Accelerating Broadband Health Technologies Availability. The FCC recently released a Public Notice (PN), seeking comment on a wide range of issues involving access to broadband and its impact on healthcare solutions and technologies, especially in rural and other underserved areas of the country. The FCC expects to use this information to identify actions that the Commission can take to promote this important goal. Portions of the PN speak to the need for rural areas to have access to broadband, and other sections seek information on how hospitals are using broadband. Comments are due May 24, and Reply Comments are due on June 8.

Join the Broadband Emerging Technologies Working Group on Wednesday, May 24, at 12:00 p.m. EDT. The group will host guest speaker, Laurie Flaherty, National 9-1-1 Coordinator, who will discuss new NG9-1-1 Legislation, an NG9-1-1 Grant Program Update, a Cost Study Report Update, and Integration with FirstNet and Federal 9-1-1 Centers. Information on the conference line and access codes are available on the NPSTC Public Safety Calendar.

SAFECOM and NCSWIC Encourage Public Safety to Adopt Trustmark Framework. SAFECOM and the National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (NCSWIC) Executive Committees unanimously approved a position paper encouraging public safety agencies to adopt and leverage the Trustmark Framework. In 2016, SAFECOM and NCSWIC established the Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM) Working Group to help address ICAM-related issues that impact emergency communications and information sharing. The ICAM Working Group quickly recognized that interoperability and scalability between ICAM solutions are critical for the future of secure information sharing within the public safety community. Read more on NPSTC’s blog, and visit the SAFECOM website to learn more about the ICAM Working Group, ICAM, and the Trustmark Framework.

Please join NPSTC for any of these Committee and Working Group meetings that interest you. NPSTC is holding the following meetings this week, which are open to anyone who is interested in public safety communications. The full schedule is available on the NPSTC Public Safety Calendar, including conference lines and access codes.

Tuesday, May 23

2:00 p.m. EDT, Interoperability Committee

Wednesday, May 24

12:00 p.m. EDT, Broadband Emerging Technologies Working Group

Thursday, May 25

3:00 p.m. EDT, Radio Interoperability Best Practices Small Writing Group

Pai Circulates NPRM Proposing to Create EAS Blue Alert Option

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May 19, 2017–FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announced today the circulation of a draft notice of proposed rulemaking for consideration at the agency’s June 22 meeting proposing to create a new alert for the Emergency Alert System to help disseminate information when law enforcement officers have been killed or seriously injured, are in imminent danger, or are missing. The Blue Alert “would be used by authorities in states across the country to notify the public through television and radio of threats to law enforcement and to help apprehend dangerous suspects,” the FCC said in a news release.

The NPRM was circulated yesterday. It will be released publicly on June 1, the day other draft items that are “white-copied” for the June 22 meeting are released, according to an FCC spokesman. “As we have learned from the very successful AMBER Alert initiative for recovering missing children, an informed public can play a vital role in assisting law enforcement,” Chairman Pai said in a statement.  “By expanding the Emergency Alert System to better support Blue Alerts, we could build on that success – and help protect those in law enforcement who risk their lives each day to protect us.” Continue reading →

FEMA Reauthorization Bill Introduced

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May 19, 2017–Republicans and Democrats on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today introduced the FEMA Reauthorization Act of 2017 (HR 2548), which reauthorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency through 2020. It is the first time that the agency has been reauthorized. The bill was introduced by economic development, public buildings, and emergency management subcommittee Chairman Lou Barletta (R., Pa.) and ranking member Hank Johnson (D., Ga.), and full committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R., Pa.) and ranking member Peter DeFazio (D., Ore.).

Courtesy TRDaily

IAFC Stresses Benefits of States Allowing AT&T to Build FirstNet RANs

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May 17, 2017–The International Association of Fire Chiefs today emphasized what it said are the benefits of states permitting AT&T, Inc., the First Responder Network Authority’s (FirstNet) network partner, build their radio access networks (RANs). “If a governor decides to opt-out and build its own RAN, this will delay the process of building out the RAN in the state. States will assume all technical, operational, political, and financial risks and responsibilities related to building their own RAN for the next 25 years,” said a blog posting by Gary McCarraher, chairman of the IAFC’s Communications Committee and chief of the Franklin, Mass., Fire Department. “IAFC members should be contacting their FirstNet State Points of Contact (SPOC) to get up-to-date information about their specific state plans and provide input as their governors make their decision.”

“Make sure the governor understands that if he/she allows FirstNet to buildout the RAN, one of the key benefits of the partnership will be the availability of priority services immediately after a governor makes the decision to stay in the network. This priority access will be made available over FirstNet’s existing partner AT&T’s nationwide network and on all its Long-Term Evolution (LTE) bands. This is only available to opt-in states,” Mr. McCarraher said in the blog posting. “Inform the governor that if he/she is considering building their own RAN believing they can make a profit for the state building and operating its own RAN, this is not the case. FirstNet has made it clear that under its interpretation of the statute that any profit made in a state may not be kept in the state but must be shared with the nationwide broadband network. As the fire service leaders in your respective states, you need to have your voices heard and voice your views to the governors in your states as they make the decision to opt-in or opt-out. Once the governor makes the decision, stay involved in the process.” —Paul Kirby, paul.kirby@wolterskluwer.com

Courtesy TRDaily

FCC to Finalize FirstNet Order Before State Plans Ready

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May 17, 2017–The FCC plans to finalize its rules for conducting interoperability reviews of any alternative plans from states “well ahead” of when the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) delivers state plans, David Furth, deputy chief of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, reiterated today.

FirstNet plans to deliver state plans to governors by the end of September. “We’re very conscious of that timeline in terms of putting our rules in place, consistent with that timeline and well ahead of when FirstNet delivers those final plans to the states,” Mr. Furth said during a session this afternoon at the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International’s Public Safety Broadband Summit.

Under the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, which established FirstNet, governors have 90 days after receiving the FirstNet state plan to notify the government that they want to opt out of having FirstNet’s network partner, AT&T, Inc., build a radio access network in their states.

Within 180 days after that, states must complete a request for proposals (RFP) and submit an alternative plan for approval by the FCC, which is charged with reviewing whether plans would comply with minimum technical interoperability requirements. If the FCC approves a state plan, the state has to apply to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration for authority to secure a spectrum capacity lease agreement with FirstNet. States seeking to build their own RANs may also apply to NTIA for grant funds to help cover those costs. Continue reading →

Redl Draws Praise as Nominee to Head NTIA

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May 17, 2017–FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, House lawmakers, and telecom industry entities praised the White House’s announcement last night that President Trump intends to nominate David Redl, chief Republican counsel for the House communications and technology subcommittee, to head the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. “David has been with the committee since 2011 and in that time he has been a valuable member of our team. David worked diligently to improve federal and commercial use of spectrum to meet the needs of ever-growing consumer demand for broadband services,” said Reps. Greg Walden (R., Ore.), Fred Upton (R., Mich.), and Marsha Blackburn (R., Tenn.), the respective current and former chairmen of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and chairman of the communications subcommittee. “David’s experience with the committee and his vast knowledge of communications law and policy makes him well suited to head the agency that will be at the forefront of promoting safe, secure communications networks, broadband deployment, and the efficient use of federally held spectrum.”

“David Redl is a superb choice to lead NTIA.  His extensive experience as Chief Counsel for Communications and Technology at the U.S. House of Representatives Energy & Commerce Committee makes him uniquely qualified to lead the agency charged with managing the spectrum held by the U.S. government,” Mr. Pai said today. “He is also a skillful expert in communications issues central to NTIA’s mission of ensuring that the Internet remains an engine for innovation and economic growth.  The FCC has long had a close partnership with NTIA, and I personally look forward to continuing that relationship with that agency under David’s leadership.” Continue reading →

March 8, 2017, AT&T VoLTE 911 Outage Report and Recommendations

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On March 8, 2017, nearly all AT&T Mobility (AT&T) Voice over LTE customers across the nation lost 911 service for 5 hours. This was one of the largest 911 outages ever reported in the Network Outage Reporting System (NORS), as measured by the number of unique users affected.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai immediately directed the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau to investigate the causes, effects, and implications of the outage. In response, the Bureau reviewed and analyzed outage reports filed in NORS, as well as sought and reviewed public comments and related documents, and held meetings with relevant stakeholders, including service providers and public safety entities. The Bureau also examined the record to identify ways to prevent future occurrences of such an outage. This report presents the Bureau’s findings.

The outage was caused by an error that likely could have been avoided had AT&T implemented additional checks (e.g., followed certain network reliability best practices) with respect to their critical 911 network assets. Approximately 12,600 unique users attempted to call 911, but were unable to reach emergency services through the traditional 911 network.

Among the lessons learned from the March 8 outage is that when 911 service fails for any reason, Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) play a critical role in advising their jurisdictions of alternative ways to reach help. While AT&T and their subcontractors, Comtech and West, made efforts to notify thousands of PSAPs, the notifications were often unclear or missing important information, and generally took a few hours to occur.

This outage also offers an illuminating case study that illustrates actions that stakeholders can take to promote network reliability and continued access to 911 service. Read the report here: AT&T VoLTE 911 Outage Report and Recommendations.

Announcing eNIFOG – Take the NIFOG Wherever You Go

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The National Interoperable Field Operations Guide (NIFOG) is now available as the eNIFOG mobile app on Apple® iOS™ and will be available soon for Google® Android™ devices. The NIFOG is a technical reference for emergency communications planning and for technicians responsible for radios that will be used in disaster response. It includes rules and regulations for use of nationwide and other interoperability channels, tables of frequencies and standard channel names, and other reference material.

Easy to Use.  The eNIFOG app gives users easy access to NIFOG information, offering a content index with shortcuts to reference sections, tables, figures, or images. Navigation links allow users to jump directly to regional quick references as well as bookmark Favorites to develop their own personalized access to critical information for their territory. eNIFOG can be downloaded and then taken to the field as an offline reference, to be used without the need of a cellular or data connection.

 Get the App. On your mobile device, search for “eNIFOG” on Apple’s App Store (iPhone or iPad) or Google Play (Android)  to download the apps.

 Questions? E-mail John Peterson at john.peterson@hq.dhs.gov to get more information, request help, or offer feedback.

As NIST Updates Cyber Framework, Effort Takes on New Importance

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May 16, 2017–As the National Institute of Standards and Technology prepares to update its cybersecurity framework, the effort is winning new attention after President Trump issued an executive order (EO) requiring federal agencies to adhere to the framework. The EO, issued last week, is the first “explicit acknowledgment” from the new administration that the framework would play a role in the security of federal networks, said Matthew Barrett, NIST’s cybersecurity framework program manager, at the opening of a workshop today to discuss proposed changes to the framework.

The EO requires the heads of all civilian federal agencies to report within 90 days to the Department of Homeland Security and Office of Management and Budget on their adherence to the framework (TRDaily, May 11).

NIST has already issued guidance to federal agencies on how they could adopt the framework, Mr. Barrett said.  “By seamlessly integrating the cybersecurity framework and key NIST cybersecurity risk management standards and guidelines already in wide use at various organizational levels, agencies can develop, implement, and continuously improve agency-wide cybersecurity risk management processes,” the guidance says. Continue reading →