FirstNet News

• Last week, FirstNet met with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Pendleton to discuss the history of FirstNet and Oregon’s process for the State Plan review. Questions from the meeting included anticipated costs, spectrum utilization, rural coverage, tribal support, and the device and applications ecosystems.

• FirstNet also met with the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission on Wednesday. The Commission represents the Nez Perce, Umatilla, Warm Springs, and Yakama tribes, and has law enforcement jurisdiction in counties and tribal land in three states. The discussion focused on tribal input on State Plans delivery, the Governor’s decision, use of existing infrastructure, and technology solutions in rural areas.
• FirstNet participated in an International Association of Emergency Managers webinar “Think Tank,” with Board Member Kevin McGinnis providing a briefing on the origins of FirstNet. FirstNet staff also spoke to the use of data in emergency management, consultation efforts, State Plans development and delivery, and how FirstNet will help improve situational awareness, deployment of resources, and interoperability. PSAC member Joe Sastre provided a PSAC overview, highlighting its important public safety-focused advisory role to FirstNet. Speakers emphasized the importance of getting involved with their state FirstNet program and associations on the PSAC.
• FirstNet worked with the Texas Early Builder project team, providing event support for Super Bowl LI in Houston, Texas. A robust after action review is planned for the middle of the month; look for additional details of FirstNet’s participation in a future update.
• This week, FirstNet will be participating in the United South & Eastern Tribes Impact Week in Arlington, Virginia; the National Sheriff’s Association Winter Legislative and Technology Conference in Washington, DC; the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA) Winter Meeting in Washington, DC; the MCCA and Major County Sheriffs Association Joint Legislative Meeting in Washington, DC; a series of State Plan Working Group meetings in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and the State EMS Association Networking Meeting in Omaha, Nebraska.

• Last week, FirstNet posted three new blog posts: PSAC Profile: National Sheriffs’ Association; State Plans Consultation is a Top Priority for 2017 and State Planning, Preparation for FirstNet on the Rise as We Look Toward 2017. All blog posts are available on the FirstNet blog at: www.firstnet.gov/newsroom/blog.
• FirstNet will schedule a briefing for public safety and tribal/state/local association staff representatives in the Washington, DC area, shortly after a contract award is made.  As we have in the past, we will gather to provide the most current information on FirstNet’s progress, and address your questions and concerns.  We look forward to providing additional information on a date, time and location for this association briefing very soon.

Media Watch

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Mission Critical Communications 2/2: FirstNet Offers Video on State Plans

http://www.rrmediagroup.com/News/NewsDetails/NewsID/15158

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) released a video offering more information on the state plans. “Our goal is to deliver and discuss state plans that reflect the public-safety priorities of each state and territory for the nationwide public-safety broadband network,” said Dave Buchanan, FirstNet director of consultation, in a blog. “To achieve this, we will build on our consultation efforts through governance body meetings, SPOC team interaction, executive meetings and additional public-safety meetings.”

Web and Social Media

FirstNet’s social media presence grew at the normal rate this week.  Twitter gained 56 new followers, now at 4,978.  Facebook has 673 followers.  LinkedIn now has 1,849 followers.  YouTube has 381 subscribers.