Not familiar with FirstNet? Chances are you're not alone.
One of the most important priorities for public safety that emerged in the aftermath of 9/11 was creating an ensuring, robust and interoperable communications for our nation's first responders. In 2012, Congress finally enacted legislation setting aside wireless spectrum and establishing FirstNet to oversee the building and operation of an interoperable broadband network dedicated to public safety.
It's been four years and FirstNet is now evaluating responses to the request for proposals it released earlier this year. In that time, some have questioned whether FirstNet is even needed now that so many first responders use cell phones to supplement radio communications — a report in the September issue of The Atlantic was among the most critical, calling it the most wasteful post-9/11 initiative.
To gain another perspective on FirstNet, we turned to one of the fire service's most renowned experts in the areas of telecommunication technology and interoperability, Fire Chief (Ret.) Charles Werner. Having served as the fire chief for Charlottesville, Va. for 10 years, Werner is nationally recognized for having his finger on the pulse of fire service telecommunications.