President’s Message (July 2014)


On July 16th 2014 the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Public Safety Communications, held a town hall meeting in Lakeport California for FirstNet. Cal OES is responsible for representing California public safety at the federal level. The state single point of contact is Ms. Karen Wong. Under the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the State and Local Implementation Grant Program (SLIGP), Cal OES is responsible for building National Public Safety Broadband Network and FirstNet awareness in California. Cal EOS has formed a core team, hired public safety broadband consultant, held team kick-off planning workshop, and developed educational and outreach plans.

FirstNet was created by Title VI of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (PL112-96). The law includes provisions to fund and govern a nationwide public safety wireless broadband network, re-allocate the 700 MHz D Block spectrum to public safety, and authorize the FCC to conduct incentive auctions to raise $7 billion for building and managing the new network. For more information on FirstNet go to http://www.firstnet.gov/

The meeting had several speakers Amanda Hilliard, Director of Outreach for FirstNet, Mike Boyden, PMP, PE, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) Program Director, Barry Fraser, General Manager Bay Area Regional Interoperable Communications Systems Authority (BayRICS), Michael DeSpain, Director, Office of Environmental Planning and Protection NAGPRA Coordinator Mechoopda Indian Tribe, and Richard Price with the Pulse Point Foundation. The meeting was very informative and was available on WebEx. Cal OES will be holding several town hall meetings throughout California.

The APCO’s Annual Conference and Expo is taking place August 3-6 in New Orleans, several NAPCO members will be attending.

I hope that everyone can attend the NAPCO August 14th meeting at the Ulatis Community Center, 1000 Ulatis Drive, Vacaville, CA 95687.