WASHINGTON – The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) today announced the structure and membership of FirstNet’s Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC), which will be comprised of 40 representatives of public safety organizations.
In establishing the membership of its PSAC, FirstNet decided to leverage the current breadth and depth of knowledge within the SAFECOM program at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which is funded and administered by its Office of Emergency Communications, in order to avoid creating an entirely new and potentially duplicative public safety advisory body.
“I’m pleased that FirstNet will be partnering with DHS to enable the PSAC to commence its work advising the FirstNet Board,” said FirstNet Board Chairman Sam Ginn. “We welcome our PSAC’s ongoing input as we continue on this historic journey to build a nationwide public safety broadband network.”
The following organizations are represented on the PSAC:
American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials; Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International, American Public Works Association, Forestry Conservation Communications Association, Governors Homeland Security Advisors Council, Interagency Board, International Association of Chiefs of Police, International Association of Emergency Managers, International Association of Fire Chiefs, International City/County Management Association, International Municipal Signal Association, Major Cities (Police) Chiefs Association, Major County Sheriffs’ Association, Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, National Association of Counties, National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, National Association of Regional Councils, National Association of State Chief Information Officers, National Association of State EMS Officials, National Association of State 9-1-1 Administrators, National Association of State Technology Directors, National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors, National Congress of American Indians, National Criminal Justice Association, National Conference of State Legislatures, National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators, National Emergency Management Association, National EMS Management Association, National Emergency Number Association, National Governors Association, National League of Cities, National Public Safety Telecommunications Council, National Sheriffs’ Association, National Consortium of Justice Information Statistics, U.S. Conference of Mayors, SAFECOM Exec, Fire Non-Management First Line Responder, Police Non-Management First Line Responder (At large).
“The comprehensive and inclusive nature of this advisory body gives me confidence we have reached deep into our stakeholders to seek advice and feedback,” said FirstNet Board member Jeffrey Johnson, a retired fire chief who serves as CEO of the Western Fire Chiefs Association. “I look forward to a robust exchange of ideas.”
Chairman Ginn previously announced the appointment of Chief Harlin McEwen as the Chairman of the PSAC. He also appointed Vice Chairs: Chief Bill McCammon from Alameda County, California, representing the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association; Paul Patrick from Salt Lake City, Utah, representing the National Association of State EMS Officials; Heather Hogsett from Washington, D.C., representing the National Governors Association; and Tom Sorley from Houston, Texas, representing the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
“FirstNet has assembled an outstanding group of associations and individuals on its PSAC,” said Chief McEwen. “We are eager to roll up our sleeves and get to work in support of FirstNet’s critical mission.”
The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 created FirstNet and set out a requirement that its board establish a standing public safety advisory committee to assist it in carrying out its duties and responsibilities. The FirstNet Board at its inaugural meeting in September adopted a resolution designating a subgroup of SAFECOM as its public safety advisory committee, and directed Ginn to work with DHS to establish the Committee and appoint the Chairman and Vice Chairs of the committee.
To see a PSAC organizational chart, see: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/firstnet_psac_org_chart_and_membership-022013.pdf