It’s called FirstNet, and under Federal legislation passed in 2012, a new nationwide radio network will be created that will allow public safety officials to share voice and data communications as technology becomes an increasingly important tool when protecting the public. Think of it as a dedicated 4G network that will work in the places that responders operate most often. It will take years to build and will be funded by sales of radio spectrum by the Federal Communications Commission. In the end, visions of live video, data from handheld apps and devices that work when conventional cell phone networks are overloaded or incapacitated is fueling the movement to keep up with changing technology.
The ambitious project is just in the early planning stages, but Minnesota is at the forefront, being the second state to begin working with FirstNet. Clay County is also in the lead, being the second county selected in the State, in part by the comprehensive data that can now be provided by the shared records management system used to dispatch all agencies in Cass and Clay County, housed at Red River Regional Dispatch Center (RRRDC).
Representatives of the Moorhead Fire and Police Departments, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Clay County Fire Chief’s Association and RRRDC have been working with FirstNet Officials to provide data and participate in an analysis of current system’s capabilities and determine unmet needs to see how the new system should be designed and how it can aid first responders.
On Wednesday, Moorhead Fire and RRRDC staff presented information about flood flighting experiences in Clay County and discussed how new communications capability can improve future responses. Five other groups presented information about the challenges they have faced from a communications perspective as public safety officials from across the state and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) were briefed by and provided feedback to a team from FirstNet. Commissioner of Public Safety Mona Dohman welcomed the opportunity and pledged the full support of DPS as this project moves forward.
This initial consultation meeting was the first step in several planning pieces that will be developed over the next two years as the project then transitions to the actual construction of the system. More information can be found on the FirstNet website.