By Jamel Vinson, FirstNet Government Affairs Counsel

FirstNet recognizes that in order to accomplish its mission, the organization must make outreach and consultation a continuous effort.  In addition to state consultations, FirstNet’s team frequently attends state-facilitated governance body meetings to provide updates, obtain state-specific insight, and answer stakeholder questions about the nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN).   

On December 4, 2015, FirstNet had the opportunity to attend a governance body meeting facilitated by Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FDHSMV).  Meeting participants included various Floridian public safety and communications subject matter experts. FDHSMV staff demonstrated their strong understanding of FirstNet during technical and executive body meeting presentations.

During the technical committee meeting, Larry Gowen, FDHSMV Chief Performance Officer, and Alex Perry, FDHSMV Director of Research and Policy, provided an update on FirstNet and FloridaNet.  During the FirstNet update, Larry and Alex informed the technical committee of recent FirstNet developments, including outreach efforts and FirstNet’s final legal interpretations.

During the FloridaNet update, Larry and Alex discussed the state’s response to FirstNet’s draft RFP, FloridaNet’s updated coverage objectives map, and a combined FloridaNet/FirstNet roadmap, among other items.

Members of the FirstNet team also had the opportunity to discuss our top priorities.  Ed Parkinson, FirstNet Director of Government Affairs, and Dave Buchanan, FirstNet Director of Consultation, informed Florida’s executive committee of FirstNet’s 2016 consultation efforts and FirstNet’s RFP objectives.

Florida’s governance body meeting served as a reminder that FirstNet must offer a service that meets or exceeds public safety’s needs, and that FirstNet must continue to be a customer-focused organization.  For example, one Florida meeting attendee noted that current service offerings have proven to be insufficient during indoor activities.  Other meeting attendees verified FirstNet’s belief that network cost, coverage, and capacity will be key evaluation factors that public safety entities will consider when deciding whether to subscribe to the NPSBN.

Thanks to Florida’s single point of contact (SPOC) Terry Rhodes and her team for organizing and facilitating this governance body meeting.  As FirstNet prepares to conduct 2016 state consultations, we look forward to working with Florida and all of the other states and territories.

-Jamel