Dear Chairman Guthrie and Representative Pallone,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to share our serious concerns about certain provisions in H.R. 1519, the “Public Safety Communications Act,” related to the administration of the First Responders Network Authority (FirstNet).
Since its establishment, FirstNet has built and operated a nationwide broadband network that prioritizes first responders, ensuring priority and preemption over commercial traffic. Our members have seen firsthand how FirstNet enhances officer safety and response efficiency, and law enforcement plays a direct role in its governance through the FirstNet Board and Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC), the latter of which includes a member of the FOP.
Any changes to the governance of FirstNet absolutely must include input and consultation with the public safety community. The FOP wants to ensure the FirstNet Board of Directors continues to oversee FirstNet and make decisions about it’s future investments and network improvements because that Board has proven to be highly responsive to our input and that of the wider public safety community through regular communication and formally through the PSAC. We believe the provisions in his legislation would encroach on the Board’s and PSAC’s role by adding unnecessary and harmful layers of bureaucracy.
The law that established FirstNet makes clear that public safety should be in charge of their network and empowered to make decisions about the operation and ongoing improvement of the network. There are real consequences to America’s law enforcement officers and other first responders if FirstNet is subject to administrative or bureaucratic delays that prevent it from making timely investments in network improvements or technological innovations. It is our officers whose lives depend on these communication systems, and we must ensure that their views are communicated clearly and directly without needing to fight through an Office of Public Safety
Communications within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
On behalf of the 382,000 members of the FOP, I urge the Committee to reject these provisions and instead prioritize the reauthorization of FirstNet under its current governance. Should you require additional information about the FOP’s stance on this issue, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President