Board Named For FirstNet Wireless Project

A Congressionally-mandated project to create the nation’s first integrated public safety communications network took a significant step forward this morning when board members were named for the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), the agency that will lead the project. The board’s membership is considered critical by public safety officials, since the board will determine the network’s specifications, configuration and administration, including if it will include a commercial carrier component. Over 100 nominations were submitted for the positions. During the opening session at the annual Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) conference, acting U.S. Department of Commerce secretary Rebecca Black named 12 people to the board, representing a wide range of political, telecom and public safety backgrounds. Three additional board members were already assigned by Congress representing various federal agency heads. The membership interests include current and retired telecom, law enforcement, EMS, firefighting, and a former big-city mayor. Reaction to the appointments from the two major public safety communications groups was non-specific, limited only to statements that commended or applauded the move, but without specific member mentions. Congress funded FirstNet with $7 billion from spectrum auctions and also assigned its own spectrum for the project.

The appointed members of FirstNet are:

• Tim Bryan, CEO, National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative
• Charles “Chuck” Dowd, Deputy Chief, New York City Police Department
• F. Craig Farrill, Wireless telecommunications executive
• Paul Fitzgerald, Sheriff, Story County, Iowa
• Samuel “Sam” Ginn, Telecommunications executive, and appointed as chairman of the FirstNet Board
• Jeffrey Johnson, Fire Chief (retired); former Chair, State Interoperability Council, State of Oregon; CEO, Western Fire Chiefs Association
• William Keever, Telecommunications executive (retired)
• Kevin McGinnis, Chief/CEO, North East Mobile Health Services
• Ed Reynolds, Telecommunications executive (retired)
• Susan Swenson, Telecommunications/technology executive
• Teri Takai, Government information technology expert; former CIO, states of Michigan and California
• Wellington Webb, Founder, Webb Group International; former Mayor, Denver, Colorado

Black appointed Mr. Ginn to chair the board. Ginn is a former chairman/CEO of early wireless carriers Pacific Telesis, AirTouch and Vodafone. He’s served on the boards of several large corporations, and is currently a senior advisor at an investment banking firm.

FirstNet was created by passage last February of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. It was designated as an independent agency within the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Besides the 12 members announced today, Congress directed that the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Attorney General, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget serve as permanent members. Congress charged the Secretary of Commerce with selecting the remaining 12 members.

In a statement, Black said, “Today’s announcement is an example of the Obama administration’s commitment to ensuring that our brave first responders have the modern communications capabilities they need to be safe while protecting our communities. For too long, America’s first responders have been hampered by outdated technology and incompatible networks, and the creation of the FirstNet Board is a critical first step toward changing that. The Board members, along with their permanent federal partners, possess a diverse combination of expertise necessary to successfully carry out this important mission. Americans can’t wait any longer for effective emergency services that use available cutting-edge technology—it is part of what we need to support a 21st century economy that is built to last.”

The CEO of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) issued a statement on the appointments. Brian Fontes said, “NENA applauds this first step and recognizes the potential benefits FirstNet holds for emergency responders. NENA pledges to work cooperatively with FirstNet and all stakeholders to enable seamless interoperability between FirstNet and Next Generation 9-1-1 systems.”

The president of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) also issued a statement. Gregg Riddle said, “We commend the Secretary and staff from the National Telecommunications & Information Administration for their hard work and diligence in selecting the Board including Chairman Samuel Ginn. We look forward to working with the FirstNet Board to successfully implement the public safety legislation.”

Read the full Department of Commerce press release on the announcement, and a fact sheet with more information about the board members. The Department has also posted a Q&A about how the board was selected. The board members have issued their own statements about their selection and FirstNet.