"D Block"
APCO Executive Director Commends FCC for Taking Steps to Safeguard Our Nation’s Critical Communications Infrastructure
May 16, 2011Washington, D.C. — In response to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopting a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that examines…
Read full articleLTE-Based Public Safety Network Could Finally Become Reality
May 16, 2011Ten years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the U.S. government may finally be making progress on allocating spectrum for an LTE-based public safety broadband network. The Public Safety Alliance says that Congress could allocate 10MHz of spectrum on the 700MHz band to public safety agencies by the end of the year.
Read full articleRockefeller, Security Officials Push New Broadband Network
May 13, 2011U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller introduced legislation on Thursday to improve the access first responders and public safety officials have to the airwaves. Rockefeller, D-W.Va., said, “Any 16-year-old with a smartphone is ahead of us in this. That is a little bit embarrassing,”
Read full articlePresident Obama’s Visit to Ground Zero Underscores Need for First Responder Network
May 5, 2011Washington, D.C. — President Barack Obama’s visit to Ground Zero in New York City today is an important reminder of the need for a nationwide public safety broadband network, announced the Public Safety Alliance. The network would ensure that first responders have the spectrum they need for reliable and efficient interoperable communications and strengthen their emergency response capabilities with faster more secure broadband capabilities.
Read full articleFrom the Field to the Hill
May 5, 2011Legislative offices on Capitol Hill were filled yesterday with 145 EMS providers advocating for three issues near and dear to their hearts. These providers joined in Washington, D.C., yesterday as part of the second annual EMS on the Hill Day.
Read full articleRockefeller Touts D Block for Public Safety in Charleston, W.Va.
May 4, 2011Charleston, W.Va. — TV stations formerly used a wide section of the public airwaves to send out their programs. Radio stations, cellphone systems and other transmissions use nearby segments of the electromagnetic spectrum. With changes in technology and the arrival of digital transmission, broadcasts now use smaller portions of bandwidth. That leftover space offers an opportunity for a significant improvement in public safety, says Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va.
Read full articleFirst Responders Nationwide Celebrate Justice
May 2, 2011WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 2, 2011 – The thousands of men and women of public safety nationwide applaud the bi-partisan,…
Read full articleIf We Want It, We Have to Fight for It
April 27, 2011Public safety officials from rural, suburban and urban communities working in law enforcement, the fire service and emergency health care have joined forces to convince the House, the Senate, the FCC and the Obama administration that the rightful owner of the D-Block spectrum should be public safety.
Read full articleThe Needs of First Responders
April 1, 2011“Mr. Chairman, the needs of first responders are not being met,” said APCO International President Bill Carrow before the U.S. House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee. On Wednesday, Carrow and other Public Safety Alliance representatives testified at a hearing on the state of public safety communications since 9/11 and legislation to reallocate the D Block to public safety.
Read full articleAPCO Member Advisory on H.R. 607, Broadband for First Responders Act
March 17, 2011In February, House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter King (R-NY) and Ranking Member Bennie Thompson (D-MS) introduced H.R. 607, the…
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