PLEASE NOTE: This is an unedited capture of the captioning from the live webcast on 04/23/13. An edited transcript will be available soon.
>> Good morning board. Secretary Blank thank you for joining us this morning and all of you attending video, welcome. It is our [ Background Noise ]. It is our fourth meeting and before we get into the formal agenda let me tell you what we will do today. Of importance to the board is we are going to announce the general manager. That's an important event in the history of this board. We're excited about that. We have a number of resolutions we need to discuss and hopefully approved and we have key presentations one from DHS on the issues around telecommunications in Boston. I think we need to take those learnings into our process and incorporate them into our designs for the system. Suzanne Spaulding will be covering that report. From DHS. We have Jeff Johnson who will cover extensive activities and outreach. We have a lot going on there. With the states and cities and communities. Where we relate to each of those. -- Will work on a meeting in San Ramon with a network group. Van [ NULL ] will report on training that took place in Oregon so those of us who are involved in this process understand the issues [ Background Noise ] deal with. Craig Farrill will give us a report on that worker -- on network activities and RFI that has just been released on devices. And Peters Suh will give us an update on the [ Indiscernible ] apps engine and how we hope to evolve that in the future. That is kind of what we hope to cover today. But before we get into the meat of that agenda there are a couple of things I want to take care of administratively. You know this board was offered an interesting challenge. We were appointed as a board and we had no management, we had no budget, we had no plans, we had known nothing. And yet we had one of the largest and most complex telecom projects in the history of this country to deal with. And so what it forced us to do as a board is become a management team. And I don't think any of us quite realized the extent of that -- how extensive that effort would be. But I want to say to the video audience that this board has really stepped up. We had people step up to be chair of efforts and teams whether it was outreach or engineering network were communicating with the states and cities or selecting management or whatever. So I want to first of all thank the board because you truly in the last five or six or seven months have done a remarkable job keeping this project on schedule in the absence of any management or support people to make all that happened. So bored, thank you.
The reason I mentioned that is today we are going to announce a general manager. And to me that is transitional because it moves us from a place where we've been into a place where we can begin operating as a traditional board. And the general manager I think you'll discover will build out his management team very quickly and will be coming operating normally as we move true time and hopefully sooner rather than later. >> It is with some pleasure that we will make that announcement today but before we do that I would like the board [ Background Noise ] to recognize someone who stepped up early and became the acting general manager and has missed on -- done a tremendous job and that is Craig Farrill. I'd like to board -- I like the board to honor him with a resolution this morning and did you read that.
[ Background Noise ] 2012 the FirstNet board adopted a resolution to designate its member Craig Farrill aspirate net acting general manager. Whereas Craig Farrill has served in that capacity with great diligence, skills and enthusiasm whereas the FirstNet board has now hired a permanent general manager. Now therefore be it resolved that the FirstNet board hereby extends formal appreciation to Craig Farrill for his extraordinary service and dedication as FirstNet acting general manager. Is there a second that motion?
All in favor?
Greg, we are indebted to you. Thank you very much. [ Applause ].
Let me introduce the new guy. Bill D'Agostino. I want you to know that he started his career as a repair man so he's walked the streets in telecommunications and he's been a construction manager, for 15 years, he's worked in the virus industry. And most of all, he cares about public safety. He thinks this project is extremely important and he's willing to dedicate his efforts and his talents to making sure this project works. So Bill, we want to thank you for coming in and joining us. I'd like to ask Tim Bryant who headed the selection group to give us a report on how all of this came about.
Thanks Sam. Good morning Bill. I think probably the first short response here is that it really took a good number of the board members and frankly a lot of support from a lot of folks and I'd like to recognize checked out and Teri Takai forgive me as board members as a committee and is a working group to interview the candidate and had an enormous amount of help from NTIA and the department of justice who helped in the process we went through almost 3 dozen candidates. We sifted down and met almost a sure dozen of them in person after having done that we reported a number of candidates onto the -- on to you, Sam, so you could talk to them. I think I speak for the committee check and Terry that we found in Bill a person with an enormous amount of passion for the mission which is FirstNet and I think when -- after we looked at the technical criteria and the background and education and the job backgrounds ultimately what we came down to was the person that had a passion for this mission and we think we found that person in Bill Agostino. I'm very happy on behalf of all the people on the group to help select Bill to welcome Bill to FirstNet. Bill, welcome.
Thank you very much. It's an honor and a privilege to have been selected to be here with all of you today. I'd like to thank the board for the incredible work they've done to maintain the momentum and I echo chairman cans message in terms of the commitment and the efforts put forward. It's remarkable where we are today. I look forward to continuing to sustain that progress. I'm really excited to be here. And the rest is yet to come.
Thank you very much, Bill. Secretary. Mike , we are pleased to have you here and receive your comments.
I'm delighted to be here. I've been delighted to watch Things have evolved over the last nine months . I want to thank Kevin [ Indiscernible ] for everything he's done in keeping this board on track and pushing us as far as he can. I also want to thank Larry Strickland the continues to do a lot of the connections between the Department of Commerce and the board. I also want to echo thanks to Craig for the work he's done and to welcome Bill. It's good to have someone in place. Thank you for bringing your experience to this board and I look forward to seeing all of this move forward. I should recognize Randy lion who is the CFO. Since you last that he has, board and he is a longtime friend at the department of comments -- commerce. He is been involved with the Commerce Department budget for much of that time. He knows the federal government and how it operates very well. And thanks to all of you for being here for all that you've done. I want to step back for a moment and think about the past eight days which I think really have emphasized the importance of what this board is doing and why we need FirstNet and what it will do forward. We have the last eight days had two good examples of your resume among America's first responders after the tragedy in Boston Marathon last Monday. A number of first responders responded quickly both on-duty and off-duty and save lives as a result. The president met with a group of them on Thursday when he flew to Boston after the service and that you displayed risk and compassion and you displayed duty and you displayed courage and when we see that kind of spirit there is something about that that is infectious. It makes us all want to be better people. That if you know last Wednesday night at fertilizer plant in West Texas several firefighters and emergency respondents are risk their lives trying to put out a fire after that explosion happened. I read that one of them was a volunteer firefighter in a neighboring town who led to the middle of his DOT class to help because he knew help was needed.
Our -- affected the tragedy and I think first responders who are part of it. The president has made it clear that the federal government will continue to work inside this community but [ Indiscernible ] how would the important work is [ Indiscernible ]. You are building a nationwide when work that will allow our responders to share information when and where they needed. Unfortunately we live in a world where the when and where will happen probably more often than a any of us want to. I have a good impression you are also at a good start here on this board. I was pleased to see all 50 states as well as the five territories applied for NTIA grant this year and NTIA is in the process of reviewing the applications and plans to award grants. The fact that every state wants to participate I take as a statement of how much they all brought into this process and want to be part of it and we all know it's really important to come up with something that all states can buy into and participate in. This money that they receive will be used to help save government structures and personnel and educate potential [ Indiscernible ] and start collecting information on available infrastructure and not equipment to support the new network with the sons. I know you are making progress and Sam testified in front of Congress knowledge long ago about that progress. Ultimately first responders and public safety workers in more than 60,000 state and local and tribal and federal agencies will have a network that they need to save lives when your work is over and we owe them nothing else. I know you are all busy people and I know you have a lot of work to do today and I want to thank you again for your time and your service on this board. You are displaying your own particular form of courage and compassion and civic duty. With regard to the Boston first responders. By ensuring that we are moving forward. Let me stop and I understand we have an announcement about where FirstNet is going to go.
Thank you Madam. Secretary. You we have a fun announcement. Not only do we have a new face on the general manager side that we have a new logo for FirstNet. It is my privilege to throw that out here for you to see. Before we did that we thought we would take a few minutes and sits through some of the development here. Capturing the spirit of FirstNet in an image is is -- is not a small job and we had a group of members who got together. I'd like to thank them. Bill and Kevin and Paul and Sue and I came together to put this logo together with help from public safety and folks outside the organization here. Wanted to show you some of the developing things real quick. We will show you how the artist converted from a bunch of words to an image. I think it's an important step. Our logo needed to capture the spirit of FirstNet and talk about a national wireless broadband network and how it empowers and enables public safety to do its job. And the criteria was to make sure it revealed the kind of strength and breadth and dynamic nature that we feel FirstNet should bring to public safety and that it represented an organization that serve the public safety. So we came up with some of these attributes quickly. That we like to think of as we went around the organization looking for what is FirstNet about. I'm not going to read these to you but I will posit second and this will be on the website if you would like to get these information later.
We definitely are an organization that has been diverse. We've got standardization to drive it. We are 7 x 20 14. Building a national network that serves public safety. So we put together some of the characteristics we were looking for. It's hard to see on the chart the definitely wanted something that was nationwide and something that drove strength and was symbolic and lasting. And scalable for us as we put this on the side of tracks and letterheads and products in the future. Logos is and I'm sure -- artistic endeavor in involves bringing symbols and graphics together in a way that communicates emotion and also message. We did a couple three stages and we will walk through these quickly. The first was to bring up some initial designs. Some different ideas and see which ones of those resonate. You see different ideas here that we began with. 20 to begin with. Got called down to about eight. Further down to about three. That added detail here. If you'll notice in the number one there you see the -- added to the mark. And the star is starting to change as the input was given there. That we sought further detail when we change the flame and the sheriffs badges. Finally, we arrived at this logo. I will take a few seconds to talk about the symbols. The three main organizations that we serve law-enforcement, fire, and Emergency Medical Services, around this side here. What is interesting is the symbol for communications which is in the origin point -- you notice that the information is originating from the origin. If you remember your geometry the XY axis is the origin. So the information is heading out to all three agencies and law enforcement has a combination of a sheriffs badge and a police badge. We found out over time there is Five Star or six starts or eight stars and all kinds of badges. Interesting. But at the end of the day we felt like this logo was fun and the board has approved this for use on vehicles . So we are very pleased to announce it today. Chairman Ken and Secretary. said this will be the logo going forward so thank you for the time today.
The secretary come up with Bill and let's get a picture in front of the logo. >> [ Applause ] >> I can do this without you. Come on. >> Thank you very much. >> I am leaving. Good luck. >>
Again, thanks. We applaud the effort. Let's move into the normal part of the meeting. Do I have a motion on minutes if we have two sets of minutes to approve.
From the February and March meeting.
Are there issues and can I have emotion?
So moved.
Minutes approved.
Also we have a resolution on the state of Texas in essence because it was funded through DHS and we would like to have it as a [ Indiscernible ] recipient. Would you read the essence of that resolution?
Therefore made the result that the will hereby direct board members [ Indiscernible ] to negotiate on behalf of FirstNet the agreement, state of Texas to use 700 measured broadband spectra measure within Harrison County two for the development of nationwide interoperable public safety broadband network. This one shall conduct such negotiations and consultation with DHS regarding any matters related to the Department of administration branch fund that support the project. Litigations with the state of Texas shall last no longer than 90 days after the date of this resolution. However, such negotiations may be extended for a brief period of time on mutual consent of FirstNet and the state of Texas. The lease agreement will not be finalized until it was approved by the board.
Are there any issues or questions about this resolution?
Do I have emotion?
Second.
All in favor?
Thank you. Motion passed.
We have a number of presentations this morning. We all watched with some trepidation at the conclusion that the Boston Marathon and what happened there. One of the things that struck me was the importance of digital downloads and the solution to that issue. And what I'm talking about here is video and cameras and other digital devices have played into the solution. And guess what, that is what we are about. We are building a network that allows [ Background Noise ] capability and digital downloads and uploads to help public safety carryout their mission. So to me as I watch that whole episode and the tragedy surrounding it I said to myself we are doing excellent work for future public safety and all the more reason we should dedicate ourselves to this effort. And make sure that we get this network up and functioning as soon as we can and as economically as we can. So to me Boston simply reinforced my whole personal commitment to see we get this job done. I've asked Suzanne Spaulding of DHS because they been very close to what happened there to give feedback and some insights as to what they have learned to help us in the task.
Thank you Mr. Chairman and thank you for this opportunity to talk with FirstNet. You are right. The lessons we learn from this incident should inform the work of this group and already has demonstrated how important it is an appropriate of development of implementation of FirstNet will be for all of our public safety officials and for all Americans. So we have still very early obviously in the after action analysis what went well and lessons to be learned. But we have reached out to our colleagues in Boston both to offer our support and to get an initial situational awareness. And what we learn from those preliminary discussions is that the mission-critical LMR that was used by the first responders worked well and allowed them to display the confidence that we saw. In their response to these incidences. They were able to achieve interoperability between the various local responders that came. The state responders and also they had in place the means the government to integrate the federal spotters as the investigation move forward and wrapped up. It's a testament to the city and the state and the region and the kind of work they have done over the years in preparing for these kinds of events and incidences. They anticipated their equipment needs and personnel and training and the kind of governance and procedures that they would need for incidents like this. Identify -- were to identify resources they had at all those levels and how to leverage federal resources. As an example of this the city of Boston step forward and became a demonstration project back in 2010 for the implementation of the national emergency communications plan. And as a result of that we worked with them. We at DHS worked with city of Boston in their ride to the 2010 Boston marathon. We did a careful analysis of the communication needs there for that incident and Boston worked to take our recommendations and implement them. And as a result they focus on better integrating communications into the overall of that commandment control. One of the things we saw as a result of this -- as they prepared for it this year's Boston Marathon that statewide communications interoperability coordinator served as the incident communications leader for the marathon. And that kind of governance structure is much the technical equipment and the careful planning and procedures is part of what allowed them to not only be prepared in advance of the marathon but to be agile and adjust in the wake of the attacks and make the changes that they needed to make. Moving forward these are precisely the kinds of partnerships and planning efforts that FirstNet will need to develop an order for this nation public safety broadband network to be successful. Having said that all of that worked we are where there were still failures. In the communication. And the bottom line is that cell phones and the LMR worked but there was latency issues and significant problems arose as chairman pointed out with that essential delivery -- big data packages particularly the videos. The group to be significant and important. In the resolution at this event. And so these kinds of [ Indiscernible ] need to be better understood. We will continue to do that analysis. They are precisely the challenges this group was established to help address. [ Captioners Transitioning - Please stand by ] >>
we will transmit that assessment to this group very shortly. We have shared a draft Park and the chairman will submit the final report very shortly. That is our report Park Mr. Chairman at this time.
Thank you, Suzanne area much.
Any questions that anyone would like to ask us?
Jim? Would you give us the outreach update?
Thank you, Mr. Chairman Park members of the board. We are waiting for our slides to come up why we realign the projector. I think that I will just start off by saying, Mr. Chairman, that today is the beginning of building out our permanent mark on [ Inaudible ]. Ends -- and FirstNet, it is such an important role to do outreach, to do structured listening. To put our stakeholders and are public safety in the governmental units who represent the public safety responders. Put us in the position to tell them what they need and the network so that we can pour that into the network. As we all know, this is the first network of its type dedicated to public safety. Mr. Chairman, we wanted to get the general manager on board before we picked our permanent teams and put our general manager in the position to select his team. I think that process starts now. However, we do get a little bit of a jump on that. We have begun adding our first full-time employee to FirstNet, and that was added to outreach. We are glad about that. We have also employed some contract assistance to help us with our outreach and to help us with [ Inaudible ]. Mr. Chairman, I'm going to flip through rapidly these topics, and with the goal of having anyone that wants to detail , they can pop onto our website and harvested there. Let me go ahead and get into the first slide. Of the word back that we are managing in the outreach, there are essentially 13 verticals. The first is the outreach and stage and territories. We are pleased to announce that we are launching the regional meetings that are aimed at the states . There will be six meetings scattered across this country. They begin May 15th and 16th within our reach and Washington DC area, and the states conspicuous -- contiguous to this area. That will be followed and overlapped by individual meetings with the states. We are in the process now of beginning to reach out to the points of contact in each state. That outreach had to wait until we knew who they were are -- who they were, which was part of the outreach process. Our message today will be simple: First -- FirstNet wants to consult with you and your state and your key stakeholders within your state so that that can be poured into the network. That will happen beginning -- lovably about late May to early June . All of our initial visits must be completed by August 1st year there he quickly now , you will see us start to move here. We have contracts in place. We have contract assistance in place. We have the staff and we have it lined out to go.
Next slide please. I think that I just covered the outreach. The one detail about regional meetings, it will be offering each state the opportunity to bring 10 people. That will be five from the state proper and five invitees that they believe are important to helping us see what they're postdate needs are for local government, tribes, and other stakeholders. The important Apple be a day and a half workshop. There are six modules in weeks -- and each workshop. We will have, of course part output keynote presentations followed by substantial listening and peer to peer communications but also flows back in. One of the consistent things that we are hearing, Mr. Chairing -- Mr. Chairman, is why is FirstNet moving so slow in the next thing is why are you moving so fast. It depends on who we are listening to. It is very clear that we need to spend time talking to our stakeholders about what we're doing with the time that we are spending, and frankly up to this point but we have been doing -- building organization, and it is now time to listen.
Next line please. Here are the dates that we are looking at. We will kick off here in the Boston area, then in the Denver -- and the DC area, then Denver, in San Francisco,
Boston Memphis. Where you see the bye week for our board meeting in Boulder, we will be that -- doing some vendor involvement in Boulder. Started about than, it will be our individual state visits.
These are the consultation workshop regions. To our knowledge, these do not match any other regions that have been established. It is possible that at someone's request, we could make a modification or an adjustment. That for planning purposes, these were the areas that we selected.
The SLI GP grants have been on the streets. The most important pickup for that for FirstNet was for the nomination and the identification of point of contact. These point of contacts listed in each of the territories will be FirstNet's primary strike well we communicate with these -- state and what we need to communicate with the state. That is where we will focus all of our outreach.
Mentioning the individual state visits , this will be an enormous undertaking. It will involve not only our staff , that it will also involve the Board of Directors. Because there are 12 board members and 56 visits, it means for all of us that we are going to make a commitment of about five visits each. That has to occur in roughly 70 days. Our goal in working with her staff to date is to build questions so that we make sure that we are harvesting them from nation needed by our engineering team. We are listening to the kind of information that is important to the states, and then we are properly identifying the groups that we need to talk with and that we are articulating that in our outreach message when we are asking to go consult with the state.
The local government vertical is important as an element for us. We know at first step that while we build this network dedicated to public safety, that at the end of the day, it is going to be police officers,
firefighters, and emergency medical technicians that are using our network at the street level. That means that we have to do outreach to the cities, to the counties, to the menace -- menace of maladies that employ the majority of safety -- public safety responders across the country. While the wall , which enabled and enacted first that does not require us to do that, we believe it is an important aspect of our outreach and are listening.
We have been engaged at the conference level while we built our strategy , making sure that when large groups of public safety responders and stakeholders get together, that first that puts a board member or staff member in front of that audience to make ourselves available to the questions and to make sure that we are listening. We had to outreaches in the local government area that were significant. One was to the US conference of mayors and Mark -- on March 1st, the second was the national Association of Counties here we are -- we held a legislative conference.
The outreach with the tribes, this is a particularly challenging a reas. As you know, tribes are sovereign nations. However, the legislation, when it was crafted , had us dealing with the tribes as part of our state process. There will be outreach to the tribes. That will become are stations with the tribes. But it will be constructing within the conversation that we are going to have with the state. We have not talked about it yet at this board, but this is going to take the dedicated effort and partnership with our partners at in TIA, Department of contest -- commerce , DOJ, all of these groups that there are groups have tribal relations today, we're going to make sure that we are reaching out and connecting with all of the important stakeholder tribes. The next one is a public safety users. Again, as I mentioned in my comments, a majority of the public safety responders, they are employed by units of local government. Like politics, all first response is local. It is important that we reach the users , and that they see the value. And that we have listened to -- public safety responders as we begin to construct a network that is certain [ Inaudible ]. Certain things that we have done in terms about reach, these are things that are already accomplished. You will see on the list that between the major County sheriffs, national sheriffs Association, the Wisconsin and EMS Association, 2500 attendees. Public safety conference. A believe we have another slide there, Peter. That is just a sampling of some of the out reach and lectures that we have done when we get large meetings have -- of public safety responders. The public safety advisory committee, of -- as we have referred to it here as the
PSA see, it is an important group. It is an important group to remain take -- to maintain mutations were. This has been a statutory challenge for us and that when they were formed as a PSAC, we actually leveraged safe calms existence into her public safety advisory committee. The actual way that the PSAC was formed limits the communications that we have with them, and I would like to thank the Department of Commerce and NTIA legal staff that is helping us work through some of those challenges . This group is led by chief Harlin McEwen. We have a five person executive committee on the PSAC. Yesterday in our board meeting we heard Chairman McCune talk about the five assignments that they have today. I am very optimistic that they are going to engage those assignments -- with a great deal of fortitude. This is a hard-working group of professionals representing our government. >> That last slide, I think, touched on a very important visitation between the PSAC executive committee. They were met -- they met with the engineering team and had an opportunity to get a firsthand glimpse of the work that has been done. They gave our engineering team an opportunity to hear questions from them. This is a group that -- with a tremendous amount of history and a tremendous amount of insight. There were talk directly to the engineering team about functionality, about some of the concepts that we are considering, and it was just nice to have them there. I think that they felt it was as valuable as we felt it was valuable. We are about to engage the federal users vertical. How to put this so simply, the federal government and its response components will be a big part of this. I have been reluctant to stand up the federal vertical until we had mailed -- nail down the statutorily required communications with our states and with our territories and with our tribes. Now that we have that , it is now time to reach out toward federal brothers and sisters and trying to figure out how we're going to engage the type of government and first step. -- and FirstNet. The board members have been very helpful, that we will be talking later on today about her role in that. Just making sure that this works. I think the only thing that I want to add about that is between the federal government as users and the federal government as the owner of infrastructure, and local government as users and the owners of infrastructure, they can dramatically impact our cost model for building out this network by creating partnerships. It is very important to us that we engage every aspect of city local government, and every aspect of state government. I would like to think Sarah for her work in engaging Congress. As you note on the board, one of our objectives is to transmit our mandatory reports, which was completed. The chairman then testify before Congress in the same period of time. We have future reports that are due to Congress, and routine communications as our Congress keeps an eye on the progress of FirstNet. It is one of the awakenings that I had coming from local government. My context has always been focused on making sure that we have transparency with our taxpayers. It has been a bit of an adjustment for me to really realize Congress' role. @firstNet's level, our transparency is with Congress and their transparency is to the taxpayer. It is an important relationship to make sure that we are doing what we can in advance, to inform Congress about our part progress. What we find challenges, to go back to the hill and explain what our challenges are. To make sure that this organization is transparent to Congress and thereby transparent to the taxpayer.
The second is the median branding. You sell some of our work as it relates to our logo. To make sure that we have presence in the media. The presence in the media is an important component because our customers, who were the public safety community, they read the treaty press, and they read and watch all of the aspects of what the media brings. They really are a helpful component to FirstNet. They help keep us on track, and they help us communicate important challenges and achievements to public safety . >> Sue Swenson, for members of FirstNet, she is not here today. I think the important thing that we want to communicate,
V top is Sue Swenson's project. It has been an enormous undertaking. I think that we are currently in the negotiations phase of the top, and we have made a tremendous amount of progress trying to make sure that each V top recipient makes a meaningful contribution to first -- FirstNet's learning, into her visual architecture.
In the application development, we have Peter and Bill would've been working on this. We have made tremendous advances in terms of getting a feel for the kind of apps that are in the marketplace. Yesterday, we receive a detailed briefing from peters on the applications process and project. I think that we have arrived at a place, very broadly stated, we have arrived at a place where we know that apps are going to be an important part of our product offering. It is an important -- it is an important lever at the street level to enhancing
productivity. It truly is a force multiplier at the street level. Peters, I would like to thank you and Director Keever for all of your work. This is an important part of our future.
This vendor outreach component has been a bit of a challenge. This is an area that we would like to do more. Frankly, as we built up the state outreach component in our outreach to local government, this one has been a little more fragile than we would choose. With that said, the beginning of the PS TR meeting held in June 4th -- in Boulder Colorado, we're going to have a substantial opportunity to communicate with her vendors. As well be the first major kickoff with the vendor community in the conversation with them. In addition, we have a host of -- I believe the last one was released last Monday -- we're in a very formal way, we are seeking feedback from our vendors. Where literally asking vendors, here is the talk of the area. Tell us what you know and help guide us to the most productive response in the space. RFI's are an efficient and important way to listen to our vendor community, a while I wondered -- well I understand it is frustrating, some people would like to pick up the phone and call a spot but from it structural perspective, RFI's or responding RFI's are the most effective way to communicate to FirstNet, and I believe that we have 16 RFI's in the commute -- in the queue.
17.
And total, our structured listening program is going to be very robust very quickly. >> In terms of the technical community, I think that this vertical really speaks to the importance of the very large academic community. The technical community that exist that may not be vendors. They are users. There are system operators and they are people that have experience in public communications. Make sure that we create a portal for listening is an important part of our effort.
It is also important that when you are building out a nationwide network, when you -- we need to take our national standards and to consideration. The 3 G progress -- prod jack that we are involved in, we need to make sure that our standards are involved into the other standards. Not only that, but when you start getting near the Canadian and Mexican
borders, we have interference issues. We have other countries that have deployed systems and communication along their borders as we have. And as we have built out this network in the clear 20 megahertz of space that have been allocated to FirstNet, as you get close to the borders, there is interference they are. This will involve the United States State Department. This will involve the SEC, this will involve FirstNet and our partners at in TIA as we work to make -- at NTIA, and we need to make sure they are fully -- free and clear to offering that does add to our international component. I would like to recognize Derek or, and the public [ Inaudible ] in Boulder Colorado. Their work has been invaluable. They have been great advisors and pre-consultants. I think that I can speak for the commercial network providers that have joined the board, and I reflect the sum of their thoughts after being a PS ER. I had no idea that research -- resources like this existed, and these are world-class researchers and we are proud to have them in public safety. I am proud the first net -- FirstNet has reached out to them and engage them, and I would like to think Derek on the record for help opening and establish this.
I think that wraps up our presentation. Mr. Chairman, I will take any questions from you or anyone else.
Any questions? >> Jeff, I want to take this opportunity to thank you and the committee for the addition from the first Slide we saw in Boulder to the slide and the [ Inaudible-low volume ] because we believe that local government has to be seen , as you hurt concerns in Boulder and it is been addressed, and I just wanted to go on record and thank you for making sure that that was [ Inaudible-low volume ].
Thank you.
Sam Hocker just want to echo Mayor Webb's comments, this -- Jeff, you know this very will purpose is not going to work and put -- without [ Inaudible ], and we're going to need this to make a success. Again, I thank you for all of your efforts.
Thank you.
You have comment?
On reflecting on those comments, it takes me back to first principles. You heard a lot of activity but from an engineering sense, if you don't understand user requirements, your project well not succeed. I just want everyone who is viewing this meeting today do you understand that we realize that, and I think that you sought reflected in the kind of efforts that we're going to make to outreach to states, cities, and other so-called verticals . I learned a new term this morning.
[ Laughter ].
To make sure that we understand user requirements. I think the other thing that should be said on this outreach effort is that there are many of you who are vendors and well be participating in this effort . You have valuable information to give to us. We understand that. I want you to understand that the early months of this effort -- we have do you understand what our program is going to look wet,-- look like . What our planning is going to encompass. We are getting there. We are getting there very quickly. I think in the future , you are going to see a lot more opportunities to interact not only with the board, but with the management of FirstNet.
Jeff, thank you.
70 meetings -- 56 meetings and 70 days is
[ Inaudible ]. [ Laughter ].
Okay.
He is on a roll.
Around the subject of making sure that all of the commercial guys understand a little bit more about public safety, chief Mike Dyke from or out -- organ had a little demonstration for our directors and network types from engineering and network to come up and experience a burning building. Chief, I would like for you to report on that emerging project.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Numbers of the board, again, might name is Mike Dyke from fire and rescue, in the Portland area of organ. We heard so -- we serve a population of about four to 50,000 people. We did have an opportunity to host the first [ Inaudible ], and I'm happy to say we didn't lose anyone. Up If we go to the next slide, we had an opportunity to expose your technical committee to what is it that the fire FirstNet does, of we held this 30 hour merge into programming fire and EMS on M arch 4th and 5th. -- with the committee. We actually have a template where we do something like this. We call it our community Academy where we bring in electoral members in the community and bring the minute show that what we do. That that -- that includes a classroom meeting,
hands-on drill, an overnight stay in a working fire station with a group, and there was one important hedge that we had for this group because of the nature of this visit. We wanted the FirstNet engineers to have an opportunity to experience live fire training. That required conversations with their position, waivers to be signed hot the turnout clothing, the breathing apparatus, and I guess it would be an understatement to say their eyes were a little baby first day as to what they were getting into. It was in a great -- it was a great opportunity. During the Academy, we expose the engineers to drills, active engagement. With large for a large portion of what the fire and EMS agencies do with EMS. We can operate a full-blown cardiac arrest scene Occam and we had them not only engage in the activities , significant motor vehicle collision with extrication so they had to use the heavy hydraulic tools to cut a car part to get one of the FirstNet engineers was the patient. Remove them from the vehicle and package them for transportation to the hospital. We did run through live fire behavior training and scenarios. With all of the different things that we have discussed, all of it while we had them equipped with one of our Alomar radios, and they had to engage on that radio. They were called. They had to respond. Sometimes without gloves on . Sometimes with it -- heavy firefighters -- fire fighter gloves on. Limited visibility, high heat hot working on the phone line. It was a fully immersed engaged scenario and the types of work that the firefighters do in the country.
After we got them through that, we also sent them out to work and one of our fire stations with an on-duty -- on-duty crew. They were taken to the fire station. They responded to incidents throughout our service area for the rest of the night, and they actually spend the night, they a with a part -- a with the crew. Many of them got up multiple times all my. They got to experience everything that firefighters and EMTs in the country experience. They also had a nuke -- a unique opportunity to sit down with some of the firefighters and EMTs, and they talked about very low keep -- they talked in a very low-key, friendly environment about responding with the communities across the country, and what types of things that FirstNet provides that makes us more effective and providing that essential public safety service that we provide. They said -- they said they got a lot out of that.
During there's day, they got -- we showed them all of the apparatus technology that we put into play in our response vehicles, and I would characterize what we do as
TBF&R is on the front edge of technology. We sit -- we showed them mobile command technology, EMS field technology and how much technology is influencing whether -- weather emergency medical services are provided on the field. Deployment analysis and standard of cover help with the fire services in America art based on risk, travel time, essential factors such as those. We went into the backside of our IT infrastructure, and we actually talk to them about how we interact in the field, the mobile, the records management systems. It all ties back to her databases . Enterprise GIS is a large component of public safety nowadays. Connecting all of the data samples in the layers that provide essential information.
Technology and how we fill healthcare reform is being discussed in the country is being -- beginning to involved and how important this is. Fire operations in her dispatch centers they actually serve -- we let them tour our dispatch center, which is a regional center, they have -- they dispatch for over 19 agencies. The take away -- I would've been happy of the take away was don't play with matches. But the take away -- the takeaways were actually, I think, very, very important. The day after, we went through the whole hands-on training, the classroom portions. They wrote all night at our stations, and then towards late morning, we reassembled and had a bit of D brief. Their takeaways were that there is a clear industry need to create greater data connection. They assume that the items that we had, the 12 lead EKG's and the other electronics already transmitted that essential information to hospitals. In many cases, it does not. There is a need for purposeful application development in the fire and EMS industry, and it should include private industry
and FirstNet. The industry environment is not conducive to friendly hardware and integration. Ruggedized hardware development will be a key . Voice infrastructure may be overlapping or two redundant and not field and an effective manner. And a byproduct of a region that is not necessarily develop and gathered overtimes of the coordination and [ Inaudible ] in our country -- I should add that we did put this to -- but together this handout that we will make available to you if it is -- if it has not already been sent to you. FirstNet as clear on the need to provide services across a broad geography, and this will require multiple technology solutions including satellite services in areas of our country -- even in our own service area, that we do not get good coverage and the opportunity to have satellite surface for this technology would greatly enhance our ability. You know, we also got some takeaways from the impressively talented team of engineers. We had the opportunity to ask our own questions about what is going on in the industry with FirstNet and how we can benefit. Based on the input and a violation by the engineers, they talked about how our network is established in our boast -- how robust it was. We talked about the urgent right now, with our own systems in many countries -- and systems throughout the country, and the need for replacement and the timing with FirstNet and how the government can potentially hold off for telling what person that is going to propose . We would encourage you and the technical team that we are available to be a test for the opportunities that FirstNet wants to develop . We have a very clear understanding of what the future in voice and data will become. We simply want to coordinate multiple systems and how we [ Inaudible-low volume ]. It was a wonderful opportunity. They all left smiling, and frankly, the communication did not stop after 30 hours. We have spent many different occasions communicating over the phone and over e-mail to try to feed information to the technical team to help you make -- you to have the information on what is going on in public safety and first responsible -- responders, at least from our region. We think it is very representative of what is happening across the country. I was happy to -- I am happy to entertain any questions that you or the board might have.
Any questions?
One comment that I heard from one of the attendees is what do you do if you are in a room filled with snow, you can see, and you do not know where the door is? You must've put a lot of challenges before them .
We did.
They figure out that you get on your radio.
Get me out of here. [ Laughter ].
It was a great experience for the engineers of FirstNet, and you can be assured that the [ Inaudible ] that we built into the requirements of the system. It is good for everybody. Thank you, Mike.
And I might add, if you or the Board or anyone has an opportunity to want to replicate this training, we are always happy to oblige.
Thank you very much.
Any other questions or comments?
Jeff, I thought for sure that you would have a comment.
No, sir. >> Thank you, Mike. Job will done.
We have asked Paul Fitzgerald to give us a report on what I think was a very significant meeting. And Sam Ramon, one of the engineers, and PSAC, who is advising -- at -- advising us on the needs for public safety and in in other ways helping us communicate the objectives of first that so that -- FirstNet so that we can build in a timely way what is happening with
FirstNet.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
We are the public safety advisory committee established under [ Inaudible ]. The intent of PSAC is to work with the first -- FirstNet board on areas of building this network. As you know lock our -- you know about our involvement with trend that -- PSAC we were happy that the committee was invited to California to sit down with those who began to design and work with us on structuring this network. The public safe treat -- public safety of visor he committee advised -- involves five individuals. There is the chair, and therefore vice chairs, Paul [ Inaudible ] of the
public safety of ministration, Bill who is with the fire industry, US conference of mayors , Tom sorely, of the national government Association is Heather [ Inaudible ]. As we were at the two-day meeting , March 25th of March 27th, I am really look -- I really was impressed with the information that we were given and the exchange that I seen between our PSAC and the individuals . It was outstanding information. I was really impressed to see the dialogue and exchange going back and forth on FirstNet and the consultants back to PSAC. I think there was even a commitment on the part of Craig Ferrell. I think this -- there was -- I think him for continuing this on a monthly basis. One of the issues that I thought was unfortunate was right when you start to engage our PSAC meaningfully, there seems to be another roadblock was -- roadblock was put down to limit the access and how our PSAC was being prevented in a meaningful way from being involved. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I have a motion that I would like to make . I will pass a copy of my motion along to the board members to look at while I read this motion. Resolve: FirstNet recognizes that the plan for development of a public safety and broadband network presented to this board may not gain toward the Outlook safety committee because among other reasons, a, the development -- the plan was developed with FirstNet understanding become located process, on the public safety agencies contemplated in public law 112 -- 96 pursuant to what first that has been to the public safety broadband network will be created -- will greet be created by the law. The plan was flawed in its development structure located in the face of possible conflict of interest it -- or the parents about -- thereof that has not been publicly disclosed. The plan was development -- developed largely or entirely from a commercial wireless point of view and not by board members of the public safety point of view. The plan will develop -- was developed largely by its consultants who were not engaged in a greater transparent objective manner as required by the law for the qualifications and relations with public safety communication that have never been disclosed or demonstrated to the board who have prior relationship with certain members of the Board, in terms of the commercial wireless world, not the public safety community and to our paid an amount do you have never been disclosed to us before as a whole. C. The plan was developed without material input from the public safety advisory committee that despite its role as been provided has been essentially sidelined. F, the plan is been submitted to the board without any presentation of any analysis of alternatives to the heavy dependence upon commercial -- commercial wireless carriers as part of the plan. G, the planet so far along in its development that it is not apparent that the process with states and their public safety agencies contemplated by law, the consultation process,
could practically alter the direction or even the details of that plan . Age, the plan is so far along in its development is it is not apparent that the right of the state to Bill their on radio access network within their borders without having searched that -- FirstNet bill that ran, is not properly constrained. FirstNet recognizes that for the plan -- for the development of the public safety broadband -- broadband network presented to this board to enhance the support of the public safety community property plan, it is necessary to have that plan subjected to the independent review and to reform certain processes according to which Bert met -- FirstNet operates. Therefore, the following actions shall be under taken: A, the committee of the board well be presented to review the development of a public safety broadband network from a platelet -- public safety viewpoint or review committee.
The, the review committee shall be composed of members of the board who do not development -- or planned to the board, and who are free of all conflict of interest and what not present the appearance of a conflict of interest. C, the review committee shall review and analyze from a public safety standpoint an alternative to the plan resented to the board. The review committee may [ Inaudible ] in relation to other bodies of knowledge, communication, technology, operation, and practices, and broadband technology to assist it in its work and such assistance shall be secured in a fair, transparent, and objective manner as required by law. E. The review committee may engage counsel to assist in its work, and such assistance shall be secured in a fair transparent and objective manner as required by law. Avenue, the compensation of any providers on the review committee shall be borne by the first -- FirstNet and fully disclose to all board members. G, search that shall not finalize any plan for the development of the public safety broadband network. Unless and until one, there is
quarter review committees and presented to and fully considered by the board , into, the consultation process is undertaken and completed after
state have received there program funding and have made adequate time to secure any required support for preparation for the [ Inaudible ] process. Completed a needs assessment and that drive , the development of state plans and to be ran and contemplated by the law. H. FirstNet shall seek advice from PSAC whenever such advice may be necessary, useful, or proper. This advice have the disclose probably to all board members of this board substantially, contemporaneously, and disclosed to the public, to the extent -- and after time required by law or when this board discloses or otherwise requires it as being proper, FirstNet -- FirstNet shall not seek advice from the PSAC regarding the concerns of legal requirement for the exposure of that advice. I. First I shall comply with the process for the development of public safety broadband network set forth in the wall and with the requirements of the law and all other applicable loss and regulations including, but not limited to requirements relating to the procurement of goods and services and constitutional and competition in relation thereto, and the requirement and best practice as it is relating to the openness of the proceedings and the board and the availability of information and documentation to all board members of the public safety broadband legal process. J. FirstNet will not seek an acquisition from the [ Inaudible ]. Committee of the Board shall be appointed to examine a report to the board as a whole the questions that FirstNet has to date -- the legal process including but not limited to the requirements relating to the procurement of goods and services and the members of that committee, the legal process committee, shall be directors who have not been engaged in a procurement of consulting services or -- for FirstNet to date or an working with consultants . L, other members of this board shall be probably provided with all documents, financial staffing list, cost, and pricing information purposes place, technical plants, financial plans, strategy reefs, analysis of whatsoever time -- k ind, and all of the documents bearing upon the plants, operation, financial positions or results, or interference with FirstNet, including all drafts, inversions and comments thereon. And as a matter of of comment, all financial, staffing list calls, pricing information, business plans, technical plants, financial plans, strategy breeze, analysis of whatsoever kind, and all other documents bearing upon the plans operational and financial position for FirstNet without limitation including all drafts and preliminary versions and comments if any thereon . Hereinafter prepare drafted made or developed shall be probably made available to all board members. And, all board members have equal and unrestricted access and scope and timing to offers documentation of any kind or character. And oh, a committee of the board shall be praised -- presented to examine and report to the bold -- board as a whole weather board members have been getting equal or open access to all FirstNet documentation of any kind or character, and if not, why such access has not been provided. The members of that committee shall not being -- shall not include directors that refused your access to document our eye other doctors or have been involved in determinations made not to share documentations equally with other dropped -- directors and shall certify that they qualify as members of that committee and are not precluded as herein provided.
I ask asked that my motion be seconded. >> Do I hear a second?
I will second board purposes of discussion.
Paul, I want you to know that it is my opinion that if I ask for a vote, this motion would fail. So what I'm going to do is ask some member of the board to table this motion so that between now and the next meeting, we can have a full discussion of it and vote at the next meeting.
Mr. Chairman, upward like to ask to be heard in support of my motion. >> Proceed.
I'm also passing around the statement for my part support of the motion.
Mr. Chairman. This is Ed rental -- Reynolds. Sis -- since this was not on the board agenda, could that perhaps be reviewed -- e-mailed to me so that I could perhaps review it ?
Yes, it will be her.
This is Sue Swenson. Perhaps to me as well.
Continuing. >> You have a soft copy that can be
sent to the board members?
Yes. Can you send it to my blackberry right now?
No. I do not have that.
[ Inaudible-low volume ].
I will get with you after the meeting.
The board members are asking to review it now .
If you want to take a copy of what you have and download it and send it, I would suggest that you do that. >>
Okay, Paul. Proceed with your statement.
Thank you, was the chairman. I make my member -- and make a motion as a member of the board but also as former president of the national sheriffs Association and member of the public safety alliance and a first responder. In those [ Inaudible ], I have a special and unique point of view among
[ Inaudible ] regarding public safety broadband user. As a -- as a user of the network, well as -- I am a member of the first tab or, I'm not a Washington politician or a Washington [ Inaudible ]. I am and well always be first and foremost a member of the public safety community. I am interested by my public safety colleagues across the nation to represent them faithfully with my vote and voice. Nothing to be more important to me than to serve them with integrity, honestly, and righteousness. As a metric -- as a member of this board, my pledges to continue to take every action possible to ensure that FirstNet always advances equality of Public safety communications to the development of a nationwide interop verbal public safety broadband network. I make my motion to further that to the pledge. I ask all of you as fellow first nap board members where are the checks and balances? Where is the openness and transparency process -- promise of a the law which created this agency? Where certain public safety were members being sidelined by industry members of this board without -- again, I ask each of you. I don't know what -- if I don't know what we're doing, out the members of public safety members who -- for him, I sat in any chair, I will meet -- how will I meet there needs.
For those of you who these concerns are new, I suspect that you have no answers. And an answer is surely required. I won now might -- layout might concerns which are reflected in the content of this motion. By first concern relates to the company startup planning documents that I received last Friday. For the reasons that I have expressed to my motions, the plans presented to the board for the development of a public safety broadband network is fraud. I am not saying is necessarily a bad plan. But I do say that the -- it is a process by which it was developed undermined its ability to be supported by public safety. Is 400 page plus start a plan, which by the way I saw this weekend requires one, an independent review from an outside body, into, testing alternatives , and three, was importantly, a team of serious public safety input before any plans is consented for consideration of the board.
My second concern relates to the role of the piece that Dirk and my view, more effort is met -- expander making sure that no advice is received from the feedback that would have to be public this -- disclosed by this board that is spent trying to hear or get a piece act out or involve them in and -- and our activity in any way.
For my review, the PSAC is presented as a necessary ease -- evil. His troubles me to my core. How can we be designing a public safety broadband network without public safety front center. Why's everyone sitting -- sitting quietly while commercial numbers of this board push public safety and in the community and set and watch the work. Whose network is this anyway? This board cannot turn on the [ Inaudible ] for us to disclose the information that they give us. Up we are not listening to her public safety advisory committee as we plan our network, a we are not listening to all of the public safety members on this board, who are we listening to? If we are opening to hearing the advice of public safety, then we should show it in our daily commitments with PSAC. If we are not going to show -- my great concern relates to the matter process and the need for transparency. Mind you, the likelihood of the adoption and use of public safety for the public safety broadband network [ Inaudible ] in large part of the public safety in the process and follows by FirstNet in relation to other matters and development Tatian of plans and designs that the public safety broadband network. In my view, the process thus far employed by FirstNet are killing our credibility. It appears to me that directors of the for example, I have not had access to financial and for -- financial information. Other directors must have that information since we're paying for services. I do not know what the consultants looking for [ Inaudible ] or what being poor -- are being paid or how they were hired. Other directors must have a knowledge. I have not had access to the agreement pursuant to which they're working. Other directors must have that knowledge. The board of first that has meetings and conference calls where they -- with a form of directors that are not treated as board made -- board member -- meetings, are not disclosed in are not subject to the public observation. These met -- these meetings are [ Inaudible ] while other information as taking place at a public forum. I want all of my colleagues to see what we're doing. A work hand-in-hand with Outlook safety alliance for quite some time to see this network create -- created and I will not sit by and watch a build by my board of her colleagues and convert -- and conjunction with there public vision rather than a [ Inaudible ] [ Inaudible ]. I represent to you that I will focus on the issues that I raised today for the duration of my membership of -- on this board. Each of you can expect that I will not be muffled, sideline, pressure to back down or circumvented. No one on this board wants a public safety broadband network to succeed more than I do. In making this motion, I am neither perceived -- pursuing any agenda or seeking to further any interest than those of the public safety community. I appeal to you for my support -- for the support of my motion.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Wellington? >> Paul, I'm a little taken back by the motion. I know yesterday we had a spirited discussion as we have -- as we have on -- and several of our meetings as it relates to our work sessions. I guess the times that -- at the time that we become a member of a board, I look at it as building a Manhattan project ear if you look at that, it is for the military. The best quality minds were brought together from all across the country. for the development of a project. I see the telecom people coming together in a similar fashion . @build something forth -- to build something force first responders. Manhattan project was going to save a lot of lives with regard to soldiers on the ground. They were part of the discussions. They were rude -- [ Inaudible ] they were produced by the best quality man's -- minds of the unit states. I think we are in a path that we have the same thing. I also feel that we are blindsided because I spoke in yesterday and supportive your edge [ Inaudible ] about town hall meetings. I also thought that we have a certain kind of rules of engagement and how we process and do things openly in terms of working together. I feel a little blindsided on this. I think this motion, Mr. Chairman, I would make a motion to table. I think it is something that needs to be -- is a wrong motion, runtime, wrong place.
I would second the motion to table of.
Any other comments? >>
Kerry?
I'm just trying to thank you for the opportunity to see. I think one of the challenges that all of us have had as we have worked through the board, I think the point that you made when you opened up -- we are creating something which is new. It is something that has not been experienced in terms of trying to provide these kinds of services across the board. Therefore, it is going to be a set of movements and actions where we are all learning how best to bring together a huge technology project like this with the needs of so many diverse individuals that will actually be using the service. Paul Ocker I certainly think that is important that you have an opportunity to express your views and certainly the individuals that you fill you represent. But I do think it is important for me to stick up for the [ Inaudible ] I felt that the group has been very open in terms of talking about the technology solutions, and soliciting input in terms of the kinds of things that we all felt were needed. I think there is a process by which we provide that input, and in that input comes back to us with suggestions and recommendations for what her snatch should look at. I felt like that process has been underway. I think that the work that Jeff and his team have started in terms of the outreach process and running the information and organize way is a big step forward. I think that we are all in the process of reviewing the start of documents. I think that yesterday was a great chance for us to get an overview of it, and I have not had the sense at all that that with that document there was going to be any resistance regarding the input on it. I felt that it was something that actually gave us a first step . Seeing what the totality wasn't being able to comment on it. I guess I am also concerned . First of all, I think that in some of the tone of the document , I think it speaks not only to the commercial focus here that comes from the commute -- commercial sector who has a lot of experience to provide, but also to the rest of us that also feel like [ Inaudible ] regarding responsibility. We felt that we have worked and the board, especially trying to be very active in terms of -- speaking for myself, working with Jeff on outreach and working on the selection committee. I have to say that I'm a little put off because I feel it is also directed some of us as members of the board. With that, is term -- Mr. Chairman, my suggestion would be that again, clearly I respect Paul's feelings and his responsibilities, but I do feel as if this is going to require significant more discussion. There are always areas in which we can improve. We are learning as a board, and those are important things for us to do. I think it is important , before certainly I can make any decisions on the myriad of items that [ Inaudible ] that we have further discussion.
Bill?
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Being one of the communications folks mentioned in this, I have to say that it concerns me that in item be, it mentions that we are functioning with possible conflicts of interest. I have to ask that we have a Department of Commerce legal review of every point in this because in many cases it impugns my personal integrity as I have been involved in many of these activities. I can't live with that nor do I think many of my other colleagues who have been involved and the development of the work thus far can as well. I would please ask you to have that legal review done as well.
Mr. Chairman, first, let me apologize for coming in late. I was speaking to the IE CP agency . It was a long-standing commitment that I had this morning. Many of the people who are very important to the work that we are trying to undertake here. I walk in -- I apologize, and I walked in while you were reading the proposed resolution itself ear I would send -- I would speak in support of tabling at. I think that Paul obviously raised a lot of significant issues, and I think it was certainly -- for me, I think that we're being helpful to all of us if we have an opportunity to review his report. I am speaking in support of tabling the issue. And I would ask that the question be called at an appropriate time.
Chip Mr. Chairman, if I may. >> I am a member public safety. I have spent 34 years and public safety. Listen, first -- FirstNet, has its growing pains. Not everyone we have done so far is perfect ear and by the way, I think to some lesser degree, Paul brings up some important issues that I think the board is already making an effort to address. Again, from my seat, from public safety, I do not see anybody on this board who I do not have confidence in and that does not want my trust. It certainly is a legitimate concern to try do you understand
-- do you understand -- and your desire to understand a better. Again, to a lesser degree, those are legitimate concerns that I think we can talk about. But again, when it comes to the issue of personal integrity and trustworthiness, I am completely comfortable with the makeup of this court Dierks.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I too is a member public safety. I have dedicated 35 years of my life as a fire to them first responder at every level. I do not share these of -- share in the support of this [ Inaudible ]. I don't share his suspicion and our motives but -- And I do not share his observation that this is commercially dominated. I feel engaged. I feel listened to. I feel, as evidenced by the fact that we have a fire chief here today, that told us the story about a team of engineers that went to his entity and immersed themselves and my profession to make sure they understood the requirements. I feel the commercial members of this board have engaged. They have listened. They have reached out. They have tried at every turn to be open and transparent. They and you have my full trust and confidence. I understand, Paul, that you want information that you are not getting, and I cannot speak to t hat. I know the chairman will be responsive to that. I can't speak to that. What I can speak to is this, the tonality of this motion makes it sound as if public safety has reservations about this board. That is not true. Paul does, and he made the motion. That is his right as a boardmember. I know he's frustrated. I get it. But I do not want a member of that board -- I do not want a member of this board to believe that that is a [ Inaudible ] of public safety. I am public safety. And I believe that we need to go out and find public safety to listen to and review the decisions that we make. I am public safety and I sit here. I have a clear unimpeded view of every aspect of this operation that I'm interested in. I merely have to ask for it. I think to reach beyond that and to level an allegation of this nature , especially without an opportunity to remedy, is not appropriate , and while Paul and I have known each other for a lot of years and have tremendous respect for him, I could not disagree with him more on this motion.
Thank you. >> I will let all of the [ Inaudible ] the herd here.
And our second meeting, we talked about this. The actual tension that really exist and a group of folks like this board, people come from very different backgrounds. With commercial, while it's true
-- folks may develop projects and in a different way, public safety folks may develop responsible -- responsible. We made that a [ Inaudible ] of reality [ Inaudible ] as something that we need to deal with.
We have heard issues of transparency raised , this certainly raises it with a sharp edge. It I do -- I believe it is sharper than it needs to be. I have to say that at this point in time, the efforts of the chair, the efforts of my fellow board members, I am very satisfied with the direction that we are headed in in dealing with issues of transparency and making sure that our work is understood and making sure that the information that we are dealing with when we make our decisions is shared with the public safety world ear I am very optimistic .
-- about our near future and our far future. I also do not share the degree of concern that Paul has as reflected in this motion. I look forward to tearing it apart and analyzing the specific issues, which he has raised so that we can get past it .
Any other comments? >> From my point of view, I can understand the issues of not communicating properly. But I am very troubled by the allegations of misconduct . Tony, you are going to have first -- have to help us here, but I want those issues dealt with immediately in some way, whether it is counsel and commerce or whatever. I want those issues dealt with front and center now so that this board can understand whether, in fact,, the allegations are true. Would you help me put together some way to get that issue addressed?
Sure. As I said, I have not had the opportunity to review this . I walked in in the middle of Paul's presentation, but I will take a look at this. We have been -- [ Inaudible-low volume ]. I'll accept the motion to table. All of those in favor say aye, I. Opposed?
No.
One no.
Next on the agenda, crag, you are going to give us a brief network update. and an overview on [ Inaudible ].
All right.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. While it is warming up here on the screen, if any, of you have been interested -- I want to make sure that the community of public safety was aware that FirstNet, a week ago Monday, issued a request for information with respect to mobile devices. Today, we're going to give you a click heads up and an announcement of four -- further announcements of that type. If you are interested in seeing the announcement per se, you can go on to the fed biz ops .gov website and key in the words wireless devices for FirstNet there tie that to April 15th , Department of permits, and you should find itself was -- the solicitation number that you see here on the screen. If you have direct questions that you are interested in receiving input or have questions about the particular request for information, Glenn to men is available at devices RFI at first that .gov. The phone number is (202)482-1470. As chief Johnson mentioned, we also have been working diligently over the last four months to bring together a set of 17 other areas that we will be asking for information from the industry. We are in a listening mode here at FirstNet and planning the various pieces of the organization . There are seven that you see on this chart that you -- that we're going to be presenting first. There are five RFI's, and in the core network area, there is one in the satellite area one in the department ship area. These are being issued under the federal acquisition rules, which we are following to the latter. First, it will be core assistance. Evolved packet core network systems, transport data and so on. These will be the first group that will be coming out. Additionally, deployment partners such as noble network operators and other operating partners , radio access systems, satellite network covering -- covering systems, operating support systems, user operation systems, and general services such as system integration and program management. This is a sizable piece of work , and we will be issuing these over the next few months. The first seven here will appear in the next couple of months, and hopefully the entire group by the end of the summer if all goes well for us. This is just an announcement today. Heads up that these are being developed. And as they are entered -- being
introduced, they will appear on fed biz ops .gov, and there will be additional habitat -- advertising in the Federal Register to make people aware of these. This process will be continuing as we continue our state consultation efforts. Many of us on the network team will be out in the state consultation trips visiting the states for the next several months as we join Chip Johnson on that at -- ever.
Mr. Chairman, that is my report, and I look forward to the receipt of this first RFI . Responses are expected late in May.
Thank you.
Thank you,
Greg.
The final presentation today, [ Inaudible ] is going to give us a report on the apps development. >> Proceed, peters.
What I do is provide you where we are on apps. Print -- Pratt thought process and [ Inaudible ] overall. One is we are recalling focusing on a version .-dot five on the storm. By working with application [ Inaudible ] to showcase existing apps. As chief talked about as the experience was put forth, it was eliminating too many of us about applications that some of the first responders are using today overall. Will touch upon that in a bit. I think there is opportunities for us to see, based upon what they are telling us right now, and how we can help them in that process. With as being said, if -- it is not a necessarily complete solution, but the second path that we are working toward is developing an RFI followed by an RFP. The attendance engage persistent suppliers and ends -- and integrators. Phase one is really looking at the detailed requirements. Again, I will talk about that as far as where we think some of the most critical areas are going to be to really focus in on and make sure that we understand requirements , operations, and design of that a rea. Followed up by that is the architecture and buildup for what we call the one .-dot zero of that product. On the path one side, the be .5 -- V .-dot five . One of the learnings that we have -- this is not alone with the the time that we spent with the chief, but time that we spent with other first responders. Any first responders or Young's using commercial back -- devices today. They're using there are personal devices to get information in that area. We have opportunity to help them in the process today. The advantage today -- the advantage of that is moving more quickly as I talked about first and it is by exposing and accelerating the [ Inaudible ] for public safety today. The key disadvantages, we do not have a complete solution. This, again is why we are talking about a pair what -- girl up half opportunity. This block diagram here's what I first showed to the board in December. The intention here is looking at the distribution of applications and focusing on a bit of light security. For the intent -- the intent would be for having -- with a new [ Inaudible ] situation and commercial -- apps on the [ Inaudible ]. Law enforcement, fire and rescue, EMS, and eventually communications overall. Again, our view is that there is apps that are being used today that could have some value. Again, through a lot of the interviews with per -- first responders and discussion, there showing some of those apps that are being used. But the interesting bit for that is the discovery of -- of those apps is somewhat random. It is by word-of-mouth. It is how they hear or talk to various people. There's an opportunity for first met to organize those things. Some of the public safety apps that are being used today. This is not endorsed him for all of these, but to show you some the people have repeatedly talked about is the fire application that has gotten a lot of attention from risk rice for CPR notifications in that area. Another situation that is significant about Paul's point is they have integrated for some of the fire and rescue teams. There is opportunity for us to work with them in that area. And of -- and you can limit -- [ Inaudible ].
As chief was talking about, the simulations that they're going through, won his car systematics. One of the things that we learn from that is one first verse ponders, particularly fire going to a specific situation or if for some reason that would have to cut into a car, currently the processes looking at hardcopy manuals. Importunate but with the first responders said, some of those are a year-old plus. They are not the most up-to-date. The opportunity to leverage that is can we take that information and make it online and make that available, which Q I G does. Why the hazmat is a hazmat they solution, it again caught , gives us General Information that area. We have a nice app that shows you just -- for first responder, and put in where the wind is blowing at what speed so you can look up potential evacuation areas as well. These are commercial applications that are available today. The properties is one that looks at medical prescriptions. Of your looking of fire and rescue where 80% of the calls are EMS related, it will give you the EMS response -- at perspective. Looking at [ Inaudible ] it is helping them already. The intent is saying that there are a lot of apps that are already out there. Can we provide, if you well, a way of organizing and providing the distribution ? The opportunity is to partner with existing stakeholders today.
That is -- to start an outreach through the various [ Inaudible ] and it is regarding lever -- liberty -- [ Inaudible ] for that. The benefit for that is it will give us better scale and scope on the average of those areas. Two is that we can use them from an insight of review rays from the key stay have -- stakeholders. It is our belief from both sides, the first responders, they can let other first responders -- first responders can provide what they are -- that it would be very helpful if you made the adjustments to these applications there. Obviously. The other bit is looking at increasing those partner opportunities. From our perspective, I know that APCO is looking to was -- launch a website that will have some first responder apps in there. I think that is a great opportunity for FirstNet to look at APCO another
key solutions. And I have talked with the Chiefs and talked about how to we respond to other first responders, to get that information, to get that information for V. 5. This is a very rough mockup. Although we are using commercial apps that are out there today, is that we create a registration process and there. The intention will be to start capturing information so that we do not have some -- what we do have security processes and process. If there are apps that require security, they're going to be tired -- tied into the first responders existing applications that you would use there. It again, they give us [ Inaudible ] . To, it provides a front-end for us that shows is he upset shows is the apps that are built for purpose were specific group or a region or local municipality in that area. We can, have discovery of that be much cleaner overall. From a process perspective, one of the things that we worry about is that we do not create too much burdens to the local municipalities and their existing process. For us, again, captioning is from the [ Inaudible ], that have print operations that are in use. Our intention is part of the next step is to capture that information, make sure that you are leveraging that.
Again, one, we do not want to overburden first responders going to that area. With that being said, that is not necessarily the and all, be all for that . You have a few [ Inaudible ] done from an operating security side, mid-level securities as well. And the V.5, weekend tab if they are level one security side as a starting point. Again, getting the guidance from Terry, he gives us a starting point and then it gives us a roadmap for building the other security that it has something to play. Obviously, levels to, three, and four with this security requirements suggested many different type of device security levels Burka gives us a roadmap and let us know how were trying to build that out.
As I said, the application the -- these are applications that are providing value today and I think it is important to try to leverage that as much as we can. It is public information apps that are out there. As I talked about before, I think there is a lot more that we can do and need to be. The path, to -- too, is looking at an RFI -based they solution. The RFI is really looking at -- in our minds, the major opportunity to for FirstNet is taking data from local states, federal databases. It is not just putting it in a mobile front-end, but also looking at the data, connection them there making sure that you have to -- getting it to the right people but making the user interface very important. It is spending time with law enforcement agencies and stuff like that, they are enormous pressure . They are under enormous constraints . Providing information that is too burdensome and that solution is going to be a problem. And in that case, they will probably not use a. We need to look at user interfaces. The one .-dot zero talks about how we can build on that and you said across the board that -- board in that area. The invention -- the intention of phase one is looking at the requirements been does. Again, we have requirements at the Loews -- local unit -- municipality, state-level, and federal level. We have to look at how do we make sure that one is not burdensome to another. In that -- and that -- in my mind, you can only go out and gather that information in detail. From that, then you can really design with the architecture and development is of that area. At the end of five, I give -- this is what I call the additional platform. I want to be frank with the board on this when you're doing the outreach on all of this, you have to be mindful that there might be fatigue and reach out requirements and things of that nature. We have to be very sensitive of that overall. Again, I cannot underscore enough in my opinion to get up -- [ Inaudible ] for designing the right system. To that in, in this, -- and this diagram, it is building out the whole solution. If you look at it, in my potential opinion, the two critical areas -- and I put that a black -- is the authentication that I talked about previously and how do we look at that as well as the ATI side. How do we take -- API side -- on we take information from DOJ, EMS and how do we marry that to a local municipality area as well. If you think about it, if I look at V.5, you have the top row as using the public data that is already out there. There are some agencies that have -- backend systems are made online. That is great. We should leverage that. This is not about redesigning appeared that should be taken what is already been done and moving it forward as quickly as possible. Again, one of the other things that has been impressed upon me through the discussion that I have had already is it is not only municipality AAs information that is important it is what is next to them as well that you want to tap and. First responder has that information across the board regardless -- regardless of what agency they belong and. So, we -- mailed multiple net units appellees -- and I talked about prior, taking the federal information and marrying that a gain. If we designed this correctly, this should not be for databases that should be showing. If you think about a scenario, that person is going through 4 different
clicks in that area. Again, spending some time with chief Dykes team, they go through this preplanning process when they are going at responding to a plan. We have to deliver that information in a preplanned process. If there is a law-enforcement person, we have to provide that in a click -- easy click one or two process that is easy for them to respond for. We need to work from it -- we need to work from a technical perspective and from a use -- from the user site side overall. In summary, program I would update to the board is we are moving forward with the V.5. It is taking existing developers and stakeholders, leveraging them for apps that are already out t here. Our intention is getting feedback from the apps, start getting feedback from the apps that we have and getting that across the board of building in the process. At the same time, we also need to develop an RFI and an RFP, looking at, again, the requirements, and focusing in on what I think is the most complicated process, the operations of that, in the back insistence -- assistance that you tie in there. You're looking at access, form -- performance, and that it works and they're existing processes, in that area. That is the update for the board. Obviously, as we come to decisions and things to that -- of that nature, we present that to the board through Google as required.
As I get this, one option is to get online quickly with what is out there and began to [ Inaudible ] that and learn. And through developing that, we will be developing the [ Inaudible ] system?
That's right.
Tam?
Want to congratulate Bill and peters on this. I think it is the right approach for public safety. I think the way you do this is you go at a gradually . You let the users help define things for you and then move forward from there. We do not need to reinvent the wheel. You're willing to take anything out there that works, and I think that is the right approach. I think that you guys see a [ Inaudible ]. Any other comments?
Kerry?
One of the things that I want to mention as an area that we're going to need to, I think, talk about in the future in that is the actual data sharing that underlies these applications. The applications and of themselves [ Inaudible ] short of the examples that Peter talked about, which are using publicly available information. One of the challenges the public safety community has is standard formats for that, sharing of that. I think that we all know there is been a need to do some standardization. I just want to mention that we are going to need to address that going forward. I think that the public safety folks who are familiar with that can be a big help and just revealing the issues and the difficulties we have had so far with what we're able to do. And maybe talking about how we can push that weight forward in parallel with thinking about the application people. The applications are going to be valuable to us until we get the [ Inaudible ].
The one way that I think about it is the traditional apps that we are all familiar with that we are -- that we download, into our smart phone . But the other challenging areas going to be access to government information wherever it exists in our -- on behalf of the first responders. That might be a more complicated issue that is essential in developing the abstract coffee.
We talked about that. That is a big challenge. Any other comments? >> Thank you all for attending. Meeting adjourned.
We are going to have a [ Inaudible ] briefing. Let's take about 10 minutes and report back for that effort. >> [The session is on a 10-minute recess. Captioner is standing by.] [ Event concluded ] him
him him
Question for Chairman Ken. During a recent capital here -- capital Hill appears, in exchange with Representative Welch, when
speaking of challenges, you mentioned the Federal acquisition roles. I wanted to follow-up with you on that to see -- do those issues persist and have you sought any clarification of the rules?
Have you discussed with Congress speeding the boards work with respect to --
Yes. I think that it is my opinion -- and I think it is shared by the majority of the board that in general, the federal overlay of requirements will increase our cost and increase the time expected to deliver the system. Some of the requirements and federal regulations do not seem to fit the categories of a project is complicated as this one. At least in my view, [ Inaudible ] was designed if you want to make an individual person -- purchase. If you want to buy 100 vehicles, there is a precise way to do that. You issue RFPs. You get them. You evaluate them. It is decided it is decide -- which vendor is successful, appealable. If you are out buying 35,000 cell sites, doing that 35,000 times is not practical -- reasonably
practical in building a nationwide network. You need some flexibility in your purchasing arrangement. Now, we have a committee of the board supported by NTIA personnel who is working on a proposal that we hope will get administration support and congressional support to give us targeted relief simply to allow us to more effectively accomplish our task. That is ongoing.
Operator, any questions on the phone?
No questions at this time.
In the room? >> I am curious at what you have learned from the. SPEAKER8Aspect about the key challenges and --
My apologies.
What have you learned from the State outreach that you have done at this early stage about what the key challenges will be in getting buy-in from all of them going forward?
Jeff, do you want to take a first correct of -- on that?
Thank you but Mr. Chairman. Some of our initial outreach with the governors -- primarily at the meeting with the national Governors Association, they shared their concerns about local management of the network, and our design team has heard that and is reacting to the need to have this network locally managed. Another concern that they have that we do not have a strategy for yet but that we have noted it is something to solve is that there is broad concern for the poorest of emergency responders in terms of the agencies and responders that do not have the feel -- ability to buy the most basic protective equipment. They are concerned that we will address how we will provide services to them, how we will avail services to them. That was a real learning point for us. We do not have it solved, but we definitely have it on our list of things to be solved. I think the second point is that they wanted to be assured that we were going to visit them. That we were -- that these would be one-on-one meetings that would improve candor and the depth of the Cumbre station. And we want to make sure that we had their desire and need to meet them one-on-one and to listen to their needs to make sure that it is open to our requirements.
At least he feedback that I heard was Number 1, we buy into interoperability . We want to be a part of a nationwide network. Number 2, local control of my operation , and Number 3 I want to be a part of how you engineer my state there I think those were the kinds of learnings that I have gotten so far. >> I also want to echo what Jeff has said from a technical perspective. We have also heard a lot about the world areas. There are many, many unserved areas that have no radio coverage at all. Satellite component that is part of the suggested compact here is critical for those parts of the country, and that can be upwards of 25% of the US land mass that falls into that area. It is a significant amount of land. We are looking at the unserved and underserved parts of the area. The coverage perspective is another thing. As we have talked to dozens of public safety folks, they also want to be sure that we are using the documents that they have provided over the years . They have built several documents which are quite wonderful. They have all of the detail that is needed to build on a first-class public safety network. We have thousands of pages of requirements, and as you will see in all of our IFI work, every public safety network that we have been given has been faithfully reproduced in those documents and has been asked for and every RFI. We have -- you will see all of that and put in there. There are no commercial requirements and that document, only public safety requirement E rik.
Operator, we're hearing we are hearing from reporters that they're having difficulty ends -- asking questions. Can you give them instructions again. Reporters on the call, if you are not able to connect, please e-mail me to question.
I do have one question on the phone line. Please press star want to ask a question. I do have a question from Saber Wilkins.
This is Sandra with part of communication's magazine. I just wanted to see if, based on some of the concerns that were brought up at the meeting, if you can outline how the board does plan to work with the PSAC on how their will be integrated into the board with its members .
We have scheduled a once a month meeting between the network planning group and PSAC. Presentations were made on the status of the engineering effort , and feedback is received from PSAC members which is taken by the engineering group and incorporated into their design efforts. We recently had one of those meetings which Paul Fitzgerald attended where a full and open discussion of all of the network principles that we are still establishing were discussed and feedback was given. We expect that in the future , we will continue those meetings. Hopefully, they will be productive. Any questions in the room? >> Paul Fitzgerald said you have a 400 draft plan that you reviewed yesterday. Is that plan the operational, the business, the technical and all of that, and you want to speak to the criticism that you are reviewing the draft plan before you have gone after the states, they listening tour, that is one of Paul's criticisms .
Greg, do you want to take the first part of that, and then I will comment.
Yes. What we have produced is not a plan but is an update on a design process . We have developed financial models your we have developed business concepts. We have developed network architectures . There is no firm plan. We are waiting for state consultation and -- amperage is up 80 in active consultation right n ow, and that is our primary role in the design group. We are at the same time gathering a lot of information from the vendor community. But at this stage, what we did was update the Board on our first quarter, and the progress we have received to date . But I would not construe what we have done as a plan .
You had said in December that you hope that the business plan could be presented to the board at this meeting. Is center -- is there an update on when you hope that plan can be reviewed and approved by the Board?
There is. We were very much looking forward to Bill coming on as a new general manager and getting a -- and getting -- giving a general manager to bring the team together and also review the plan. I would say our next opportunity well likely be the August board meeting, but I will leave that to the chairman and others to decide. But that will probably be the first opportunity peer consultation will be closing, first round anyway, in July. We look forward to having more information at the time .
I have a question via e-mail from Brooks directed to Mr. Fisk does -- Mr. Fitzgerald.
What is happening doubly lead you to believe that the [ Inaudible word ] is captioning the board.
My motion in State of the motion refer to themselves. I will refer all questions to the chairman. >> Chairman again does not agree with the motion. I guess is my answer.
And by the way, what I am most troubled by our the misconduct charges in this motion , which he provides no evidence. I guess that bothers me the most.
Okay. I have another question via e-mail from Howard from communications daily. I wanted to follow up on the questions raised by Sheriff Fitzgerald since he is only a handful of two active first responder was -- responders on the board. Is it's speak to [ Inaudible ] in the community that the board needs to address.
I will ask fellow members from public safety to answer the question. >> I think in response to that, that I do not see the same level of concern and public safety that apparently Paul sees. Whenever you involved in a process like this in and the process takes time to mature, there is a lot of things and a lot of issues that help -- that happen out there and a lot of things get said there I am not getting the same thing or the same sense that Paul is, and, a gain, I am -- I've been a public safety from us 34 years now. I'm comfortable but the process is moving will . Anything that you ever do can always go better, but I think that this has been effective. I think we're getting to where we need to be. I do not have the same concerned that Paul has, certainly nowhere near the level of concern that Paul has. Just for my perspective, my other hat in the NYPD, I can tell you that my agency , and, in fact, the City of New York, is completely comfortable with the process so far with FirstNet and has every intention of working very closely with FirstNet. I'm just not seeing that kind of concern. >> I do have another question from the phone line.
Hold on one second please.
I would echo chief Dalles comments.
As an active EMS service chief, I think that I am quite aware -- particularly in the public sector communications world, how folks and EMS are looking at first net and developments . I am not seeing that -- a level of that type of concern. I think that we have wrestled with how to effectively incorporate the work of the PSAC into the sports work , and we know that there are some legal challenges within that year we are addressing those, and I think that we are making progress with that here I believe the chair of the PSAC is comfortable with that as well. -- and the discussions that I have had with them.
I am not seeing the level of concern that Sheriff Fitzgerald is seeing.
This is Jeff Johnson. I, to, -- too, and not seeing the concern and the fire committed to. In the last couple of months we've talked it -- talk to the largest fire chiefs in America to broad audiences of the fire community and given them an update. In the fire community, they feel well heard, will represented, and connected to what we are doing. We are just not seeing that level of concern. In terms of -- I can't speak to what Paul is seeing and hearing, but I can say that in the fire community, we are very comfortable with their level of representation and their level of input.
Let me just make one final point here. One of the things that we need to keep in mind is we can serve public safety best if we engineer, build, and operate a robust network that allows public safety to revolutionize how they do their business. That is the goal. The goal is not to communicate with a segment -- public safety that feels like they have not been heard. The real goal is to get this network built, engineered , and operating within a budget , within a timeframe , within the parameters set by Congress. That is how, in my opinion, we can serve public safety. I think me, a long with every member of this board, has been focused on that. It is not that we have been perfect jerk our communications have not been perfect. As I said before, we were not constituted to be operating management. We were constituted to be a board. We are changing that with Bill and Senior minute -- senior management is going to follow. I would expect our communication channels would be a lot better.
Let's keep in mind the goal here is to get this network engineered and built so that it can serve public safety.
Operator, we will take a call.
Sandra. Go ahead please.
This is Sandra Milliken with mission-critical mitigation. At a couple points during the meeting, you mentioned different engineers on staff that were in the file immersion experience and some of the applications. I wondered if you can give an overview of the engineers that are helping FirstNet . Are they full-time employee, are they contractors? How will did that staff work with you throughout the process?
I'm going to ask Greg to comment on that, but the issue that we addressed early on was we did not know where we were going to be headquartered . We didn't know who the general manager would be, and it was our point of view that what we ought to do is hire temporary people on short-term contracts . But people who were highly talented and had a history of success in this industry. People who had built systems around the world. That is what we did. We hired people with vast experience and network , network engineering, network construction and operation, and pulled together a team of less than 15 people. I think that is right. They have produced in a very short time documents that show us the path as to how we can build this network . The idea now is that we have a general manager who will begin to make decisions on where work will exist and we will move toward a more permanent Calvary of employees. That gives you a little background of how we got to where we are. Greg, do you want to add anything to that?
I would be happy to, Sam. As Sam said, we have four areas that we are working in. We work on the network side and receive all of the input on the network side. We have a business group that looks at business modeling, planning, it we have a group in market research that is doing all of our vendor Outlook -- Outlook and vendor requirements. And that we have our state consultation team that is actively preparing all of the questions and input for the state. So we have a four track parallel process with the team that we have. The call since -- the consultants that are used are experts, as set -- Sam mentioned, and their selected area. We brought the man because we -- they have a unique experience world-class. I would put them up against anybody worldwide as some of the highness -- I is people, most integrity, ice people in the business. We have also combined that with several experts in public safety . Are keep things at this point are to gather all of that and develop -- creative solutions for public safety and come up with network architecture. We have been working that from the beginning. We have temporary contracts and months in duration, and we are in temporary facilities, developing interim plans. That is currently what we have underway.
We will take one more question in the room, and then we will wrap it up.
[ Inaudible ] with state line a gain. Talked about Boston. But I'm also curious about how communications functions and West , and then with Boston, am curious, if you could speak to what potential applications and the full capacity of the ultimate national system when it is up and running , and offer in a situation like Boston.
LT is data-driven. It allows you to put megabits on the ground across the entire United States. If you think back to your first cell phone, could you have predicted the abs -- the app structure that exists today? You could not. The reason that you could not is because of the innovation
in the marketplace. When people see problems, they solve them. In some ways, I see our mission is to lay that capability across the United States, and the innovators within public safety will come up with incredible ways
to improve their operations, lower their call cost, or save lives. And so what I was thinking about when I was looking at the TV coverage of Boston was we made the right decision. We're going to to put into place an infrastructure that is going to allow video transmission . It is going to allow downloads of camera information. Downloads of pictures of people, all kinds of things that I think well benefit public safety and emergency situations. The whole experience just suggested to me that Congress had the right idea here , foreseeing the needs of public safety and of course our group is here to deliver that vision.
Sam, if I may eared.
I think you hit the nail on the head. Let me just give you one night -- example of how a network like this will support -- we talk about first response being local. We also want to take advantage of the resources global of Public safety. This is one small example. Bomb squads. Alston bomb squad, FBI bomb squad, NYPD bombs what's, bomb squads all over the country, it is a very close knit group at one of the advantages of a network like this was to have the ability of stream live high definition video of the device as it is being acted on by the local bomb squad. The advantage there is these devices to 1 degree or another follow a certain architecture or design pattern. To be able to take advantage of allowing us , say, for example, every bomb squad in the country to walk the -- to watch that action being taken in a situation like Boston, been able to watch that life is a huge example of public safety to support the analysis and the action needed to take -- to render the device safe. That is one example of how this network well change the way public safety does its business.
Another small example from the EMS world in situations where -- whether it is West Texas or Boston, where the -- where you have dozens and dozens of people injured in a mass casualty . We have incidents today where I can monitor 20 [ Inaudible ] on this cell phone simultaneous it -- simultaneously but you have to have a broadband to do that. You can hone down on that patient, see what the vinyls -- vital sides are and send someone to them. Monitoring hundred and 60 patients in Boston, we need more smart phones.
With that, we will wrap it up. If there are any follow-up questions, please just send me an e-mail.
[ Event concluded ]