Local law enforcement talks big picture with national public safety broadband plan

Law enforcement and emergency response representatives explored the future of public safety at Wednesday’s 911 Advisory Board meeting at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Emergency Response Center.

The board, which includes representatives from the peninsula’s major safety agencies, addressed the logistics of Alaska joining the national wireless data network initiated by a 2010 National Broadband Plan.

In 2012, Congress created the First Responder Network Authority, or FirstNet, with the mission “to build, operate and maintain the first high-speed, nationwide wireless broadband network dedicated to public safety,” according to FirstNet’s website. Approximately $7 billion and a portion of the national broadband capacity were allocated to FirstNet to start the project.

Kenai Fire Chief Jeff Tucker talked about what the plan will do for law enforcement and emergency response agencies, as well as the steps needed for it to be implemented. Having a broadband network reserved for public safety agencies will make responding to emergencies more efficient and cut down on network clutter, he said.

“If you’re at a major event, the first thing that goes down is the cell phone,” Tucker said. “For public safety responders, we lose all our ability to utilize our cell phones or mobile data computers.”

Alaska was number 50 on FirstNet’s list of places to conduct consultations about bringing the broadband network to the area, and implementation of the plan will be unique due to the geographic challenges in the state, Tucker said. In order to establish the networks, FirstNet will partner with existing area providers — large providers like AT&T and Verizon will participate on a national level — though none of those are set in stone, Tucker said.

“The idea is not for FirstNet to build their own standalone public safety broadband system, but to partner with local telecom providers, to work with them and put infrastructure up on their sides,” Tucker said.

Essentially, FirstNet will own a certain “chunk” of a broadband spectrum, Tucker said. In order to pay for the broadband, FirstNet will lease its extra network capacity to other companies when it’s not being used by public safety personnel, so regular users will be allowed to access it until there is an emergency.

“I was aware of the project, but I wasn’t aware of how they were going to try to pull it off, by leasing out their extra broadband to private companies, and that’s hopefully going to be their main revenue stream for the future,” said Mike Nussbaum, dispatch supervisor for the Kenai Police Department.

During an emergency, Tucker said general users will be pushed to a different part of the spectrum, possibly a different tower, so that public safety personnel will have exclusive use of that data to communicate.

The next step will be the formation of a plan to be submitted to Gov. Bill Walker, who will have 90 days to opt in or out, Tucker said.

“Either way, it’s going to be built, it’s just a matter of whether the state’s going to partner with them (FirstNet) or not,” Tucker said. “All indications are we’re going to work with FirstNet and have it go.”

The 911 Advisory Board will meet again on Nov. 18 at the Emergency Response Center in Soldotna.

Reach Megan Pacer at megan.pacer@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

Evan Frisk calls for full-time staffing of the Central Emergency Services’ Kasilof station during a meeting of the CES Joint Operational Service Area Board on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, at Soldotna Prep School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kasilof residents ask for full staffing at fire station

Public testimony centered repeatedly on the possible wait times for an ambulance

The southbound lane of Homer Spit Road, which was damaged by the Nov. 16 storm surge, is temporarily repaired with gravel and reopened on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Homer’s Spit road reopened to 2 lanes

Repairs and reinforcement against erosion will continue through December

The under-construction Soldotna Field House stands in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
‘We’re really moving along’

Officials give field house updates at Soldotna City Council meeting

Kenai Civil Air Patrol Cadet Elodi Frisk delivers Thanksgiving meals to seniors during the Hilcorp Areawide Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon in the Kenai Senior Center banquet hall in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Giving thanks together

Seniors gather for annual Hilcorp Areawide Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon

Shrubs grow outside of the Kenai Courthouse on Monday, July 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Anchor Point man indicted for 3 shootings at Homer family planning clinic, recovery center

The grand jury returned 12 counts total for the three shootings

The entrance to the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is barricaded on Overland Avenue in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Citing dangerous drivers, Kenai closes one entrance to visitor’s center

The barricade will be removed temporarily on Friday for Christmas Comes to Kenai festivities

A Kenai Peninsula Food Bank truck in the Food Bank parking lot on Aug. 4, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Food bank seeks turkey donations as Thanksgiving nears

The local food bank is calling for donations of $25 to “Adopt-A-Turkey” for a local family in need

Seward City Hall is seen under cloudy skies in Seward, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Seward budget hearing covers bed tax, wages, emergency medical services

The Seward City Council on Nov. 12 considered a series of legislative items connected to 2025 and 2026 budget

The results of ranked choice tabulation show Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, winning reelection in the race for Senate District D. (Screenshot/Gavel Alaska)
Bjorkman, Vance win reelection after tabulation of ranked choice ballots

An effort to repeal ranked choice voting and the open primary system was very narrowly defeated

Most Read