NPSTC’s Public Safety Broadband Console Requirements defines the public safety requirements for the functionality and interfaces for command and control consoles connected to the LTE network. This document is intended primarily for use by FirstNet to fully understand the mission requirements of the public safety community and to provide guidance on the design and Implementation of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN). It is vitally important that the NPSBN accommodate mission critical communications. The requirements in this document apply solely to dispatch and console operations and should be interpreted in conjunction with other public safety requirements documents.

The best practices and requirements provided in this document are intended to describe the features and functionality for console-based dispatch operations which involve broadband services. They are intended to capture the operational requirements of dispatch and console operator functionality with the objective of fully leveraging the features and functionality of the LTE network.

The word “console” in this report refers to any public safety command and control system. While these are primarily located in dispatch centers and Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), they may also be located in other facilities, including agency Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs); hospital Emergency Departments, and Trauma Centers. It is further recognized that an LTE console may exist at the scene of a major incident (existing as either a wired or wireless console device).

This report does not restate existing standards and requirements for public safety console devices, including those for CAD, E9-1-1, and LMR radio system operations. It does not include requirements for interfaces to these existing systems. This report is intended to focus on those new features and functionality which will be required during and after the implementation of broadband LTE in the dispatch center.

It is extremely important to acknowledge that the transition from existing public safety radio and data services will likely occur over a period of time and that the NPSBN must fully support interconnection to existing services and functionality during the migration period. This includes the ability to support interconnection and patching functionality between existing mission critical voice and data systems.