Securing the D Block for Public Safety–without major fees to telecommunication companies

There is critical legislation regarding public safety organizations’ ability to communicate – without paying telecommunication companies huge fees (subsidies?!). A reprint on one side of this issue follows. (Note that VashonBePrepared has not taken a stance on this or any other legislative to date. We may in the future – our 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status only prevents us from spending a “substantial” portion of our budget for influencing legislation.)

The Politics of the D-Block: Now is the Time to Communicate with Your Members of Congress

William M. Webb, Executive Director, Congressional Fire Services Institute

IF YOU WANT THE ASSURANCE OF COMMUNICATING WITH FELLOW FIRST RESPONDERS AT EMERGENCY SCENES, THEN NOW IS THE TIME TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS: Securing the D Block for Public Safety

William M. Webb, Executive Director, Congressional Fire Services Institute

For the past 16 years, ever since I became Executive Director, I have had a dilettante’s understanding of the need for additional broadcast spectrum for public safety.  I use the term “dilettante” because one needs to have been in an emergency situation to truly understand the dangers experienced by first responders as a result inoperable communication systems.  I have not, nor for that matter have most of our elected leaders.  So when I hear fire officials testify on Capitol Hill about the need for additional spectrum and how this additional spectrum can enhance communication systems for our first responders, I value their testimony above all others.

In recent months, public safety has been well represented in congressional hearings addressing proposals for a national broadband communication system.  The uniforms worn by these officials convey a sense of credibility on the subject matter.  The D Block, as articulated by these expert panelists, is not a want; it’s a genuine need.  We have reached a critical juncture in the ongoing battle to secure additional spectrum for public safety and now is the time for individual fire service leaders to get engaged.

As many of you know, the battle is over 10 MHz of spectrum in the upper 700 MHz band known as the D block.   Earlier in the year, public safety gained additional momentum for securing the D block when the Obama Administration shifted its position by proposing to set aside the D block for public safety in its Fiscal Year 2012 budget proposal.  The proposal also included $10 billion to build-out and maintain the public safety broadband network.

Although the Obama Administration is now on board the D Block bandwagon in support of public safety, we have many more hurdles to clear before reaching the finish line of this protracted campaign.  Legislation is required to prevent the Federal Communications Commission from auctioning the spectrum in the D block for commercial uses.  If the auction occurs, public safety will have a difficult time building a reliable and secured nationwide interoperable public safety broadband network that will enable first responders access to time-critical data during large-scale emergencies.

On Capitol Hill, members of Congress have introduced legislation in both the House and Senate that would reallocate the 10 MHz of spectrum in the D block for public safety.  Senator John Rockefeller (WV) introduced S.911 and Senator Joseph Lieberman (CT) introduced S. 1040 with bipartisan support.  Both measures would clear the D Block for public safety use while setting aside federal funding from an auction of other spectrum to develop a broadband system.  Congressman Peter King (NY-3) has introduced HR 607.  King’s measure is similar to the two senate bills, clearing the D block for public safety use and providing federal funds through an auction to build a public safety broadband network system.

On June 8^th, S. 911 cleared the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.  The 21-4 vote affirms the level of bipartisan support in the Senate chamber.  The measure now awaits the action of the full Senate.

Whereas all three measures have widespread support from a broad range of public safety organizations, trade associations, and local and state governments, support is not unanimous both within the communication sector and on Capitol Hill.  Opponents offer a various reasons for their position.  Following the vote on the Rockefeller measure, one Senator cautioned that “the nation’s debt would increase by more than $17 billion by the enactment of this legislation.”  Conversely, proponents argue that the broadband network system would have a positive impact on the economy, creating an entirely new market for data-driven devices and applications, thereby stimulating competition, product innovation and entrepreneurship – three key factors that fuel our nation’s economic engine.

Public safety is within reach of achieving a major victory that will have a far-reaching impact on the paramount issue of building a 21^st century broadband network for first responders.  21^st century is what drives this debate for public safety.  The D block will allow us to build out a system using new technologies – some that might be in the conceptual stage –that will give public safety the cutting-edge technologies to respond to large-scale emergencies, allowing first responders on the scene access to mission-critical data that can save lives and reduce injuries and property loss.

But if Congress cannot approve the legislation pending in both the House and Senate and decides instead to allow the FCC to auction the D block to commercial bidders, public safety will be dealt a serious setback.  Once the spectrum is auctioned-off, public safety will be at the mercy of the commercial service providers occupying the D block to gain access during critical events and emergencies.  Is this a chance worth taking?  Certainly not, given the threats we are now facing in a post 9/11 world.

Hence, members of the fire and emergency services need to start calling their representatives and urging them to set aside the D block for public safety.  The Public Safety Alliance, a coalition of over 50 organizations and businesses advocating this cause, has information on their website discussing how fire service leaders and others can get engaged in this effort.  The address is PSAFIRST.ORG.

The window of opportunity is starting to close on this issue.  Your support is needed…now!