Obama Team Interested in Public Safety Broadband

A transition team for President-elect Barack Obama has asked public safety organizations for information about comm center availability of broadband, apparently as part of a plan to include money for such projects in pending economic stimulus legislation. Obama’s FCC and technology team met with several people on Wednesday, including NENA chief executive officer Brian Fontes, to discuss public safety’s priorities. In an e-mail to association board members, Fontes said, “a major topic of discussion concerned the importance of broadband access for PSAPs and all emergency response agencies.” The team asked the public safety communications officials to survey members to determine how many comm centers have broadband (>500kbps) access, and how many use it for 911 connectivity or during emergencies. “This information is critical as we attempt to ensure that federal funding for broadband connectivity is made available for emergency response agencies,” Fontes wrote. “The more facts we can deliver, the more likely, that funding for advanced telecommunications for PSAPs and other public safety agencies will be made available.”