In the latest SPOC Spotlight Feature, New Hampshire’s John Stevens talks to FirstNet about how the state is leveraging its interoperability governance structure to coordinate planning for the nationwide public safety broadband network.

Next week, on July 24, 2014 the New Hampshire Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC) will hold its first meeting to establish the next steps for the governance and design of the nationwide public safety broadband network in the state. John T. Stevens, who is the state SPOC and Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC), provided FirstNet with an overview of the FirstNet concept for New Hampshire and what the SIEC meeting will seek to accomplish.

“It’s not a state concept, but rather a community concept,” John told FirstNet. “We will continue to coordinate activities on the national and regional level, while our focus remains committed to the state, county, local, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and the military (NHNG) throughout New Hampshire and encourage their participation as partners and as stakeholders.”

He says the SIEC will have the responsibility to establish a clear direction regarding the state’s interoperability mission that make sense for New Hampshire and to provide valuable input that will be critical to the state’s Initial Consultation Package.

Regarding New Hampshire’s regional and federal partners, John mentioned that, “We have a good working relationship with SWIC’s throughout New England, through the Regional Emergency Communications Coordination Working Group (RECCWG), along with Rick Andreano, DHS, OEC Region 1 Coordinator (which includes New Hampshire as well as Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont).” Rick Andreano along with Bill Casey, FirstNet Liaison to Region 1 will make presentations at the meeting.

Bill Casey says FirstNet sees the meeting as a valuable learning experience on several fronts. “New Hampshire has such a unique geography with its mountains, its coastline, and border with Canada, as well as the rich diversity of urban and rural areas.” By participating in this first SIEC meeting, “The feedback we receive in New Hampshire will be very valuable for our national program and I welcome the chance to meet the various FirstNet partners.”

Stay tuned for future updates about FirstNet New Hampshire. John specified that New Hampshire’s goal is to be at the forefront of the FirstNet build-out.