Catch up with all of the breaking D Block news on the NPSTC D Block webpage! 

Posted August 30th, 2010 by Jamie Barnett - Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau

As the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina is here, we are faced with a strong swirl of emotions and memories.  The unprecedented devastation that the Hurricane wrought was compounded by organizational troubles from many quarters.  As painful as it is for America, I want us to remember the death and destruction inflicted on New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.  I want us to remember the bravery and determination of the people who suffered through it.  And I want us to remember the valiant first responders, volunteers, members of the armed forces, and others who worked to save lives and property.  It is important that we not forget any of this. 

The Fire Service is very close to successful legislation that will help to build and fund a Nationwide Public Safety Wireless Broadband Network which will transform emergency communications forever for all of public safety everywhere in the United States (tribal, local, state and federal).  We are at a pivotal point where every voice of the fire service is needed to send a message to each of our respective members of Congress.

Below are links to a 'Call to Action' prepared by the Public Safety Alliance (consisting of 7 national public safety organizations including the IAFC), which provides the information that explains why this is so important, and step-by-step instructions on how you can make this a reality.

     A message to the American Fire Service

     A message from the American Fire Service

     For additional information, you can also visit the website. 

August 27, 2010 - Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and City of Tuscon join many others in filing waiver applications for the early deployment of 700 MHz public safety broadband. 

August 23, 2010 - (courtesy Andrew Seybold) The Executive Branch of the Federal Government, or to be more precise, the White House CTO’s office, is setting up a September 1, 2010 meeting. “The intent of the meeting is to gather information on key issues/barriers from broadband vendors and wireless carriers regarding entry to Public Safety Broadband market.”  The issue of D Block reallocation is already the subject of much misinformation in many different governmental organizations, and from what I can see, this type of meeting will only add to the problem. 

August 5, 2010 - As promised, Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D., W.Va.) has provided legislation (S 3756) that would direct the FCC to reallocate the 700 megahertz band D block to public safety and provide a funding stream for constructing and maintaining a nationwide public safety broadband network.  The measure is similar in many ways to other bills that have been introduced.  Please read in particular Sections 103-104 on 700 MHz flexibility.

     S. 3756 Rockefeller Bill (Thomas Version) 

The 2010 Canada-U.S. Cross Border Interoperable Communications Workshop occurs in Windsor, Ontario from September 13-15, 2010.  Co-hosted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Emergency Communications (OEC) and Public Safety Canada (PS), the workshop will bring together a broad base of users and officials from all levels of government from both nations with an interest in cross border communications along the Canada-U.S. border.  Don’t miss your opportunity to provide direct input to senior Canadian and U.S. government officials regarding future action plans that address cross border interoperability challenges.  The target audience for this event includes interoperability leaders and users from:

     • Emergency Response Agencies (law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, emergency managers)

     • Other Public Safety Providers (federal, state/provincial, and local/municipal)

     • Military and Coast Guard

     • Government Agencies and Utilities

Visit www.cacp.ca/index/eventscontent?contentId=940 for complete information.

     Workshop Flyer 

This event will sell out like in past!  Be sure to join us from December 5-8, 2010 in Victoria, British Columbia for the Fourth Canadian Public Safety Interoperability Workshop.  The event will again bring together a broad base of public safety and emergency management practitioners to develop a mutual understanding of the key voice and data - interoperability issues facing today's public safety sector.  With a focus on information exchange, topic-specific discussion and interactive break-outs, the fourth national workshop aims to support and promote the transfer of best practices and experience, and the development of a more unified approach to public safety interoperability across the country, between nations and internationally.

Visit www.citig.ca more detailed event information and visit www.cacp.ca/index/eventscontent?contentId=851 to register on line.

The above mentioned events and many more are listed on the new and improved Interoperability Practitioner's Portal (a.k.a., the CITIG Member Site).  Those interested in accessing news and tools to improve communications interoperability are invited to visit and register at www.citig.ca.

     Workshop Flyer