NASCIO’s members met with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) on April 29, 3015, to discuss how states and FirstNet will proceed in planning and deploying a nationwide interoperable public safety broadband network.

NASCIO members expressed particular interest in looking at how state plans will be developed and presented to the states, as well as what the business model FirstNet chooses will mean for the sustainability of the network and potential impact to states as partners and customers.

“A positive and productive relationship between FirstNet and the states will be crucial for the viability of the network,” explained NASCIO Vice President and CIO for the state of New Mexico Darryl Ackley. “This is a tremendously large and ambitious undertaking; states and FirstNet need to be working towards unified goals with a common understanding of who has what responsibility.”

State CIOs met with FirstNet as part of NASCIO’s Washington, D.C. Fly-In. More than 50 State CIOs and state technology policy officials participated in NASCIO’s 2015 D.C. Fly-In, meeting with federal officials and key stakeholders on national issues that impact state IT services.

About NASCIO:  The National Association of State Chief Information Officers is the premier network and resource for state CIOs and a leading advocate for technology policy at all levels of government. www.nascio.org.