Courtesy Andrew Seybold, Public Safety Advocate News
Thu Aug 22, 2013
Public Safety Advocate News-Patterns Weekly News Update
This was a busy week for many of us. APCO’s convention took place in Anaheim, CA, and it was a week of meetings, events, conference sessions, walking the show floor, and of course, many parties. From what I saw, the convention was very well attended. The sessions, including mine, were packed, the show floor was busy, and the side meetings were productive all around.
My session was on Sunday and I spoke about how to prepare for FirstNet–not only how to make use of commercial broadband but also how to start working cross-agency, what types of devices are available, what is coming, and a few pointers on how to get the very best pricing from the commercial LTE vendors. The PDF of my slides can be found here: (http://andrewseybold.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/APCOWhileWeWait-Final2.pdf).
I found it disturbing that there were so many exhibitors still pushing Voice over LTE and demonstrating their own, proprietary PTT services over LTE. I was also disappointed in the lack of tablet computers shown on the floor. Tablets will be very important for incident commanders, logistics, and even for those performing building and other types of inspections, yet they have not begun to show up in any numbers. What was on the floor was many mobile devices, call them modems, call them routers, whatever you call them, these will be the first devices installed on the network and most of the ones I saw on the floor supported the PSBN, a least one commercial network, Wi-Fi and/or 4.9-GHz, and at least USB connectivity for laptops. I was very surprised that I did not see a single LMR mobile radio with LTE onboard, which to me would be a perfect product. Most LMR mobile radios have room in them to add an LTE modem and it seems logical that this combination could save money in the long run.
One final thought about devices. The handhelds shown on the floor are all two-handed devices, which may be fine for use by a first responder not involved in an incident. However, if we expect these devices to aid first responders during an incident, we need to look at how to we can use them for information needed during the incident while requiring only one-handed operation as well as operation while wearing gloves. The handheld folks have a very long way to go in this area. Android and other graphical user interfaces are not designed to enable easy and quick one-handed access but I don’t know of any first responder who would be willing to tie up both hands during an incident.
While I was in Anaheim I started talked to as many dispatchers and dispatcher supervisors as I could find. I talked to more than fifty, asking them all the same question: “How are you going to handle incoming pictures and video from both citizens and first responders at an incident?” I received many different types of answers from, “My dispatchers will faint at the sight of blood or some other bad things,” to “My dispatchers will handle it or I will fire them” (wrong answer), to the answer I heard over and over again: “We think we will be able to handle it IF we get some advanced training and know what is or could be coming our way.” Perhaps APCO should add incoming video to its great dispatcher training sessions.
There was lots of excitement at the show, not only about FirstNet but also about Public Safety in general, and a better understanding, I believe, that LMR voice will be around for a very long time to come and that the Public Safety broadband network will augment, not replace LMR voice.
Have a great week,
Andy
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Story County Blocked From Releasing FirstNet Records – Patch.com via Google Alerts
Aug 22 18:55 Fitzgerald, who sits on the First Responder Network Authority, a federal board overseeing the network’s creation, shared a letter with government investigators
Speaker: Emergency calls from children require tender loving care – Urgent Communications via Google Alerts
Aug 22 10:56 Kelley spoke on the topic this week at the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) conference. “Talking to a child is like talking to someone
USA Spectrum Monitoring Pilot Program – Southgate Amateur Radio Club via Google Alerts
Aug 22 04:55 … President Obama directed the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to design and conduct a pilot program to monitor spectrum
Verint to Showcase Public Safety and PSIM Solutions at APCO 2013 – Business Wire
Aug 19 09:10 MELVILLE, N.Y. & ANAHEIM, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Verint® Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: VRNT) today announced that it will highlight its Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) and other advanced public safety solutions at this year’s Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Annual Conference & Exposition. Taking place in Anaheim, Calif. August 18-21, APCO is among the world’s largest organizations of public safety communications professionals, drawing officials from pub
VoLTE is essential for Los Angeles public-safety network – FierceBroadbandWireless via Google Alerts
Aug 15 10:56 Tammy Parker, FierceBroadbandWireless VoLTE must be viewed as a critical component of the nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN) that will
[Editor’s Note (Andrew Seybold): LA-RICS Would be better off]
Don’t blink, or you may miss another step in the development of LTE – Urgent Communications via Google Alerts
Aug 22 18:56 Solutions on display this week at the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) show provide a hint at the fast-paced development cycles
VERINT SYSTEMS INC. : Verint to Showcase Public Safety and … – 4-traders via Google Alerts
Aug 22 16:56 … public safety solutions at this year’s Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Annual Conference & Exposition. Taking place in Anaheim,
Crime fighters glimpse into the future – OCRegister via Google Alerts
Aug 22 16:55 Those were among the futuristic devices Motorola Solutions touted at the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials’ 2013 conference at the
AT&T can access USD 100 mln from ‘universal broadband fund’ – Telecompaper via Google Alerts
Aug 22 15:56 AT&T informed the FCC that it is willing to accept up to USD 100 million from the Connect America Fund (CAF) Phase 1 to deploy broadband to approximately
FCC: CAF 1 Now Has $385 Million Worth of Takers – Broadcasting & Cable
Aug 22 10:03 Says that should add some 600,000 to rolls of those who can access broadband at home and…
FirstNet readies spending plan – FCW.com via Google Alerts
Aug 21 18:55 The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)’s First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) is managing the construction of a project
First Responders Can Now Quickly Prioritize and Act on Dangerous … – FireEngineering.com via Google Alerts
Aug 21 17:55 The Thermo Scientific FirstDefender RM/RMX 4.1 software includes “tagging” — a feature that enables users to prioritize the chemicals of greatest concern,
NTIA awards planning grants to four states for FirstNet initiative – Urgent Communications via Google Alerts
Aug 21 12:56 … the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) …
Mutualink to Demonstrate Real-Time Collaboration for Public Safety … – Broadway World via Google Alerts
Aug 21 11:56 Mutualink to Demonstrate Real-Time Collaboration for Public Safety Officials over Mobile Broadband Network such During APCO 2013, Mutualink, Inc. will
Raytheon Technology Enables Smartphones to Communicate With … – AZoSensors via Google Alerts
Aug 21 08:56 FirstNet will provide the first nationwide public safety broadband network. …
[Editor’s Note (Andrew Seybold): Voice Over LTE?]
Google Glass app brings innovation to police work – Police News via Google Alerts
Aug 20 20:55 At this year’s Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) tradeshow, Mutualink, Inc. plans to unveil their real-time multimedia interoperability
Verizon on CAF 1: Thanks But No Thanks – Broadcasting & Cable via Google Alerts
Aug 20 18:56 Verizon will take another pass on Connect America Funds (CAF) that the FCC is making available for broadband build-outs in high-cost rural and other
Frontier Communications Files Connect America Fund Applications with the FCC; Goal is to Accelerate Broadband Service Availability Throughout Rural America – Business Wire
Aug 20 18:10 WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Frontier Communications (NASDAQ:FTR) announced today that it has applied for more than $71.5 million from the Connect America Fund (CAF) to support the delivery of broadband to an additional 119,000 households. The funding, if awarded by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will allow Frontier to accelerate broadband availability in its high-cost, unserved areas across multiple states. Frontier’s proposal to bring broadband to additional new locations would b
Location Based Technologies to Showcase Public Safety and … – Wall Street Journal via Google Alerts
Aug 20 16:56 … this year’s Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Annual …
US seeks to block release of sheriff’s emails – Muscatine Journal via Google Alerts
Aug 20 15:56 Fitzgerald is a member of the FirstNet board, created by Congress to build the high-speed emergency response network. Politico reported this month that
Android Operating System, Expanded Voice Capabilities Extend … – Wall Street Journal via Google Alerts
Aug 19 16:56 (APCO, Motorola Solutions Booth #1309) — The first purpose-built smartphone device for Public Safety LTE broadband just got even better with the introduction
Raytheon Provides Public Safety A Bridge From Land Mobile … – Daily Markets via Google Alerts
Aug 19 14:56 FirstNet will provide the first nationwide public safety broadband network. …
Northrop Grumman Showcases Public Safety Capabilities at APCO … – PR-BG.com via Google Alerts
Aug 19 12:56 Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) will present its public safety solutions for first responders next week at the Association of Public-Safety
“Just in Time” Continuing Education Training for Dispatchers … – DigitalJournal.com via Google Alerts
Aug 19 10:56 Unveiled at the 2013 Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Annual Conference in Anaheim, California, Just in Time training is available
Android Operating System, Expanded Voice Capabilities Extend Functionality of Public Safety LTE Handheld Device – Business Wire
Aug 19 09:10 ANAHEIM, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–First purpose-built smartphone device for Public Safety LTE broadband just got better with introduction of Motorola Solutions LEX 700 Mission Critical Handheld w/Android (Jelly Bean) operating system.
[Editor’s Note (Andrew Seybold): Move Voice over LTE]
Freeing up the frequencies – Staunton News Leader via Google Alerts
Aug 18 02:55 The FCC issued a federal mandate to narrowband nationwide by Jan. …
Navy communications satellite launched into space – Fox11online.com via Google Alerts
Aug 17 02:55 The satellite will provide narrowband tactical communications designed to improve ground communications for U.S. forces on the move. The Lockheed-Martin
Discover TriTech’s Next Generation PSAP Solution at APCO 2013 – Baystreet.ca via Google Alerts
Aug 16 14:56 ANAHEIM, CA, (Accesswire -August 16, 2013) – As Public Safety Communications Professionals navigate through the economic and technology obstacles that
Northrop Grumman Showcases Public Safety Capabilities at APCO … – Wall Street Journal via Google Alerts
Aug 16 14:56 The company will also sponsor the Broadband Committee reception Aug. 17. …
Spillman’s communication software solutions on display in Anaheim – MarketWatch via Google Alerts
Aug 16 00:55 APCO International is the world’s largest organization of public safety communications professionals. It serves the needs of public safety communications
GammaTech to Showcase Rugged Computers and Tablets at APCO … – PR-BG.com via Google Alerts
Aug 15 16:56 … and PC options for the public safety industry at APCO International in Anaheim, …
Cassidian Communications to Showcase End-to-End Public Safety Solutions at APCO 2013 Conference – Internet Wire
Aug 15 15:30 TEMECULA, CA–(Marketwired – Aug 15, 2013) – Cassidian Communications, an EADS North America company, will exhibit at the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) 2013 Conference & Expo in Anaheim, Calif., August 18-21.
Powerful Technology Leads to Proactive Policing, Increased Safety … – Wall Street Journal via Google Alerts
Aug 19 16:56 (APCO, Motorola Solutions Booth #1309) — Motorola Solutions’ (NYSE: MSI) Real-Time Crime Center solution is giving public safety officials instant access to
Ceragon Deploys FirstNet-Ready Public Safety Network throughout … – MarketWatch via Google Alerts
Aug 19 16:56 19, 2013 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — APCO 2013 — Ceragon Networks Ltd. …
Verint to Showcase Public Safety and PSIM Solutions at APCO 2013 – Wall Street Journal via Google Alerts
Aug 19 16:56 Verint to Showcase Public Safety and PSIM Solutions at APCO 2013 …
Ceragon Deploys FirstNet-Ready Public Safety Network throughout … – Wall Street Journal via Google Alerts
Aug 19 10:56 The NRIN will be using new and existing resources to create a statewide wireless communication system for a variety of state public safety agencies. The system
Android Operating System, Expanded Voice Capabilities Extend … – Wall Street Journal via Google Alerts
Aug 19 09:55 (APCO, Motorola Solutions Booth #1309) — The first purpose-built smartphone device for Public Safety LTE broadband just got even better with the introduction
Verint to Showcase Public Safety and PSIM Solutions at APCO 2013 – MarketWatch via Google Alerts
Aug 19 08:56 August 18-21, APCO is among the world’s largest organizations of public safety communications professionals, drawing officials from public safety answering
Android Operating System, Expanded Voice Capabilities Extend … – MarketWatch via Google Alerts
Aug 19 08:55 ANAHEIM, Calif., Aug 19, 2013 (BUSINESS WIRE) — (APCO, Motorola Solutions Booth #1309) – The first purpose-built smartphone device for Public Safety LTE
Weather report: Hot conditions prevail in the Corn Belt – AG Professional
Aug 22 05:02 In the West, cooler air is beginning to spread inland, accompanied by widely scattered showers. On the Plains, showers are confined to a narrow band stretching across Nebraska and South Dakota. In the Corn Belt, hot weather prevails in advance of an approaching cold front.
FCC CAF 1, Take Two, Draws a Crowd – Broadcasting & Cable
Aug 21 10:04 CenturyLink, Frontier seek more CAF funding for broadband…
ACA Wants FCC to Clarify CAF Support Modeling – Broadcasting & Cable
Aug 20 14:04 Finds White House, Capitol in census blocks eligible for broadband…
Google Glass Gets An App To Power The Cyber Cops And Futuristic Firefighters Of Tomorrow – TechCrunch
Aug 19 15:19 Google Glass has lots of potential applications beyond just making it easier for people to check out their Twitter feed without taking their phones out of their pockets. Mutualink is demoing one such app today at APCO, a conference for public safety communications, with its Glass App for police, firefighters and first responders.
Raytheon Offers Public Safety a Bridge from Land Mobile Radios to … – HispanicBusiness.com via Google Alerts
Aug 22 05:55 Raytheon Company will demonstrate the integration of commercial smartphones and tablets with the INTEROP -7000 Suite at APCO International 2013 in
Ceragon selected to deploy Firstnet-ready public safety network … – MENAFN.COM via Google Alerts
Aug 20 15:56 Ceragon selected to deploy Firstnet-ready public safety network throughout …
Ceragon Deploys FirstNet-Ready Public Safety Network throughout Nebraska – PR Newswire
Aug 19 09:40 ANAHEIM, Calif., Aug. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — APCO 2013 — Ceragon Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ: CRNT), the #1 wireless backhaul specialist, today announced that it has received orders for the new Nebraska Regional Interoperability Network (NRIN). The network, which is…
Raytheon provides public safety a bridge from land mobile radios to smartphones and tablets – PR Newswire
Aug 19 08:40 ANAHEIM, Calif., Aug. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) will demonstrate the integration of commercial smartphones and tablets with the INTEROP-7000™ Suite at APCO International 2013 in Anaheim, Calif. Developed using open standards, INTEROP-7000 enables police,…
Ofcom publishes draft decisions following fixed narrowband market … – TeleGeography via Google Alerts
Aug 22 10:56 UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has notified the European Commission (EC) of its draft decisions following a review of the country’s fixed narrowband market in