Today the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ (IAFC) passed a position statement in support of FirstNet and the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (Network). FirstNet thanked the IAFC for their support in the following statement:
FirstNet CEO Mike Poth said: “From the beginning, the IAFC has been a key advocate for the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network. It joined other public safety leaders across disciplines to come together like never before to fight for this Network and has been a critical partner each step of the way. The men and women of our nation’s fire and emergency services deserve to have the 21st century tools they need to keep themselves safe, save lives and protect our communities. We appreciate the IAFC’s continued support as we work to swiftly deliver this Network to public safety.”
Congress allocated $7 billion from spectrum auction proceeds to establish FirstNet and directed FirstNet to take all actions necessary to ensure the building, deployment, and operation of the nationwide public safety broadband network for local, state, regional, tribal, and federal first responders and other public safety personnel. FirstNet is an independent authority that is governed by a 15-member Board that consists of the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Attorney General of the United States, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and 12 members appointed by the Secretary of Commerce composed of representatives from public safety, government, and the wireless industry.
