"NPSTC is a federation of organizations whose mission is to improve public safety communications and interoperability through collaborative leadership"
In the News...
SAVE THESE DATES: January 9, 2018, Full NPSTC Meeting by Teleconference and March 9, 2018, Full NPSTC Meeting in Person at IWCE
November 14, 2017
NPSTC will be holding a full NPSTC meeting via a conference call on January 9, 2018, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm ET. NPSTC will also hold a full in-person meeting at IWCE on March 9, 2018, from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm ET, in Orlando, FL. For more information about IWCE, go to www.iwceexpo.com. Please join us in improving public safety communications and interoperability through collaborative leadership. Together we can create one unified voice for public safety.
Please visit us in the NPSTC Booth on March 7 and 8, 2016, beginning at 10:00 am ET and ending at 5:30 pm on Wednesday and 5:00 pm on Thursday. Booth number 2878.
Additional January meeting details available here and additional March meeting details available here.
A summary of currently available January meeting details also shown below:
| Teleconference Call In |
| Call In: (510) 227-1018 | Conference ID: 1927086# |
| Webinar Access Information |
| https://join.me/npstcsupport1 |
| Agenda |
| Tuesday, January 9, 2018 |
| Presentations |
| (not yet available for this meeting) |
| Other Support Material |
| (not yet available for this meeting) |
Chief McGinnis Receives DeMello Award at RCA Technical Symposium and Awards Banquet 2017
November 27, 2017
The Radio Club of America held its awards banquet on Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. Chief Harlin McEwen, winner of NPSTC's first DeMello Award, spoke about this year's winner, Kevin McGinnis, MPS, EMT-P, representing the National Association of State Emergency Medical Services Officials (NASEMSO) on NPSTC's Governing Board. Due to an unavoidable conflict, Chief McGinnis could not attend the dinner and will receive his award at a later time ...[read more]
NPSTC Releases Position Paper on First Responder Location Tracking
November 16, 2017
The National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) is pleased to release its position paper concerning First Responder Location Tracking.
NPSTC Submits Comments Regarding Recommendations Approved by WRC Advisory Committee
November 09, 2017
In these comments, NPSTC addresses Agenda Item 1.3 involving potentially upgrading satellite overlay operations in the 460-470 MHz band from secondary to co-primary status with respect to terrestrial land-based operations.
FCC Technological Advisory Committee (TAC) Technical Inquiry Comments
October 30, 2017
Linked below are draft NPSTC comments in response to the FCC Technological Advisory Committee (TAC) technical inquiry. This inquiry covers multiple issues, including requests for input on regulations that could be removed, combined, or retained and updated, as well as processes to resolve competing interests and issues surrounding incorporation of industry standards into the rules. The draft incorporates some input discussed on the October Spectrum Management Committee call.
Comments are due to the FCC on Monday October 30. If you have any changes please get them to me by October 28th. If you need a call to discuss, please let me know by Thursday so I can set it for Friday. Thanks so much! – Marilyn Ward
SAFECOM Nationwide Survey is NOW Live
October 23, 2017
Please participate in this important survey now live on the SAFECOM website. The SAFECOM Nationwide Survey (SNS) is a data-gathering effort that will equip government officials and emergency responders with critical information to make decisions about future emergency communications policies, funding, and programs. SAFECOM will leverage the collected data to identify gaps and inform development of the program's strategic priorities. This will assist the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Emergency Communications (OEC) to execute the Nationwide Communication Baseline Assessment (NCBA ...[read more]
CITIG 11 Agenda Released and Book Your Accommodations Now!
October 19, 2017
Join us for Canada's premiere communications interoperability event from December 3 to 6, 2017 in Ottawa. The eleventh Canadian Public Safety Interoperability Workshop, widely known as CITIG 11, will again break new ground on key voice and data interoperability issues facing today's public safety sector...[read more]
Former Gates Police Chief Thomas Roche Passes Away
October 10, 2017
It is with a heavy heart that the NPSTC Governing Board announces the passing of one of its representatives from the International Associations of Chiefs of Police (IACP), Chief Thomas Roche. Read more about his long-serving service to the public safety community and his country ...[read more]
Hams Provide Welcome Communications to Hurricane-Ravaged Puerto Rico
October 09, 2017
Members of the Amateur Radio community have volunteered to assist in the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Maria, which devastated Puerto Rico and Dominica and, to a lesser extent, the U.S. Virgin Islands...[read more]
More News...
Rapid Response of Las Vegas First Responders Saved Lives
October 03, 2017
NPSTC thanks the law enforcement, public safety telecommunicators, EMS, fire departments, trauma surgeons and nurses, and strangers helping strangers in an active shooter situation...[read more]
Common Channel Naming Working Group Seeks Volunteers for LTE Nationwide Interoperability Talkgroup Naming Project
October 02, 2017
With the advent of FirstNet, the Working Group will reactivate to develop common names for nationwide LTE interoperability talkgroups. Mission Critical Push to Talk will include LTE talkgroups that will function in a similar fashion to LMR interoperability channels. FirstNet will enable nationwide interoperability, allowing first responders to travel across the U.S. and still use their devices and applications...[read more]
NPSTC Comments on NOI on Flexible Use in 3.7 to 24 GHz Bands (GN Docket No. 17-183)
October 02, 2017
NPSTC provided comments in response to the FCC Notice of Inquiry (NOI) on "additional flexible use" in the 3.7 GHz to 24 GHz bands. Additional flexible use means the FCC would like to open this spectrum for licensed commercial and unlicensed broadband use.
TRDaily Reports NTIA Issues SLIGP 2.0 Funding Opportunity
September 29, 2017
NTIA issued a notice of funding opportunity today for up to $43.5 million from the State and Local Implementation Grant Program (SLIGP) 2.0, which will help state, local, and tribal governments plan for the nationwide public safety broadband network. All states, territories, and the District of Columbia will be eligible to apply for funding regardless of their opt-in or opt-out status regarding the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) ...[read more]
FCC Issues Public Notice on Forum on Improving Sharing in the 800 MHz Band
September 15, 2017
The FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB), Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, and Office of Engineering and Technology will host a public forum on improving the co-existence of Cellular (and other commercial wireless) licensees and public safety licensees in the 800 MHz band. The forum will be held on Monday, November 6, 2017, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the Commission Meeting Room at FCC Headquarters in Washington, DC ...[read more]
NPSTC Press Release on Public Safety Grade
September 12, 2017
Chris Sambar, Senior Vice President, AT&T, presented at the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) Governing Board meeting on Wednesday, September 6, 2017, in Washington, D.C., regarding AT&T's plans to build and maintain the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN) in accordance with public safety grade objectives as outlined in the FirstNet Request for Proposal (RFP) and FirstNet's contract with AT&T
...[read more]
Sixteen Years Later - Remember the Past, Honor the Future
September 11, 2017
On this day we mourn the horrific events of 9/11 and honor those who lost their lives in this tragedy and those who lost their lives trying to save others. From the Pentagon to Shanksville, PA, to Ground Zero in New York City and at the Pentagon, and across the nation, we will raise the flag and share a moment of silence at 8:46 am EDT, the moment the first plane hit the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
SAFECOM Nationwide Survey (SNS) Materials Made Available
August 24, 2017
A Nationwide Data Collection of Emergency Communication Policies, Programs, and Funding ...[read more]
S&T Snapshot: National Mutual Aid Technology Exercise Brings Together a Diverse Group
August 22, 2017
S&T cannot eliminate disasters, but it can arm decision makers with tools and plans that will ultimately shield communities from negative consequences ...[read more]
NPSTC Reacts to AT&T Comments Regarding Lack of a Public Safety Grade Definition
August 18, 2017
NPSTC is disappointed that FirstNet's commercial partner, AT&T, has on numerouse occasions stated that is is not aware of a single agreed upon definition for public safety grade.
National 911 Program Partners with NASNA on New Resource on NG9-1-1 and FirstNet
August 18, 2017
The National 911 Program and the National Association of State 911 Administrators (NASNA) have created a 16-page brochure NG911 & FirstNet Guide for State and Local Authorities to help local authorities understand the difference between NG 9-1-1 and FirstNet as decisions are made about the future of emergency communications ...[read more]
Tune in to S&T's Tech Talk on Free First Responder Training
August 09, 2017
First responders are our first line of defense for homeland security and they face a variety of environments that demand specialized skills and greater exposure to different scenarios ...[read more]
Kari's Law Act of 2017 Passed the House and Now the Senate
August 03, 2017
Kari's Law Act of 2017 passed the House on January 23 (H.R. 582) and has now passed the Senate on August 3 (S.123)...[read more]
APCO and NENA Officials Meet
July 29, 2017
The Executive Committee and Executive Director/CEO of APCO International met with the Chair Officers and CEO of NENA in Alexandria, Virginia ...[read more]
GAO Publishes Report on FirstNet's Progress with the Public-Safety Broadband Network
July 20, 2017
GAO's Report – FirstNet has made progress establishing the network, but should address stakeholder concerns and workforce planning ...[read more]
NPSTC Publishes ICAM Position Paper
July 17, 2017
NPSTC adopts a position paper encouraging public safety to leverage the Trustmark Framework and implement ICAM solutions in agreement with SAFECOM and the National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators. Public safety needs assurance the information they share is secured against outside threats and accessible only to authorized entities ...[download the position paper]
Super Bowl: After Action Report Available on Use of Broadband to Support Public Safety
July 11, 2017
This year's 2017 Super Bowl LI held in Houston, Texas, was the first large-scale special event to incorporate the use of broadband mobile apps to support public safety communications...[read more]
Virginia Will Become the First State to Opt-In to FirstNet's National Public Safety Broadband Network
July 10, 2017
RICHMOND – Governor McAuliffe today signed a letter of intent declaring that the Commonwealth of Virginia will allow the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) and AT&T to proceed with the deployment of the of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network in Virginia ...[read more]
OEC Border Interoperability Demonstration Project (BIDP) Closeout Reports Available
June 29, 2017
BIDP was a one-time $30 million grant program administered by OEC that focused on identifying innovative solutions to interoperability along the northern and southern U.S. borders...[read more]
Participate in NPSTC's New Internet of Things (IoT) Working Group
June 29, 2017
The Internet of Things Working Group will examine the current state of IoT, identify specific areas and issues that could affect public safety, and make recommendations to the Governing Board as needed.
To join the IoT Working Group, please register on the NPSTC Participant Form.
...[read more]
DHS OEC Posts FY 2017 SAFECOM Guidance on Emergency Communications Grants
June 14, 2017
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Emergency Communications (OEC) is pleased to announce that the FY 2017 SAFECOM Guidance on Emergency Communications Grants (SAFECOM Guidance) has been posted to the SAFECOM website at: https://www.dhs.gov/safecom/funding ...[read more]
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