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First Responder Network Authority Schedules Consultations and Workshops on Design of Wireless Broadband Network Dedicated to Public Safety

(05/07/13) The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) on May 6 announced that the first in a summer-long series of consultations with states, tribes, territories and localities will take place May 15-16 in the Washington, D.C area. FirstNet will conduct regional workshops in six regions, meeting with representatives from each state individually during the consultation process. This portion of FirstNet’s outreach is designed to solicit input from attendees to help in the design of a public safety-grade next-generation wireless network that meets the specific communications requirements of police, firefighters and emergency medical services personnel in their respective jurisdictions.

“Our goal is to deliver high-speed data services to millions of public safety users to help them save more lives, solve crimes faster and keep our communities safer,” said Bill D’Agostino, General Manager of FirstNet. “Consultations are an essential step in building working relationships between FirstNet and the thousands of people who are stakeholders in its success. These meetings will provide valuable opportunities to listen and work collaboratively to build the first public safety-grade LTE network.” Learn details and view the workshop schedule.

FEMA Releases First Three of Five Planned National Planning Frameworks

(05/06/13) FEMA today released three of five National Planning Frameworks directed in Presidential Policy Directive 8: National Preparedness.

The Intergovernmental Affairs Advisory states, "These National Planning Frameworks document the roles and responsibilities of the whole community in all facets of national preparedness and illustrate how we work together to support one another before, during, and after an emergency. The benefit of this unified effort is a more informed, shared understanding of risks, needs, and capabilities across the whole community; and, in the end, a more secure and resilient nation."

FEMA received more than 5,000 comments from the public that went into the creation of the Frameworks. The new National Planning Frameworks include: Prevention, Mitigation, and Recovery. The National Disaster Response Framework was released in September 2011, and the National Protection Framework is under development. You can download the National Planning Frameworks, and view a tutorial at http://www.fema.gov/national-planning-frameworks.

EMS News & Resources

NASEMSO President Participated in White House Forum on Military Credentialing and Licensing EMS Roundtable

Pictured at the Apr. 26 forum (left to right) are Tommy Loyacono, NREMT Chairman of the Board; Rear Admiral William Roberts, U.S. Navy, Medical Education and Training Campus, Fort Sam Houston; Jim DeTienne, Montana State EMS Director and NASEMSO President; and Drew Dawson, Director, U.S. DOT NHTSA Office of EMS Director.

(05/01/13) NASEMSO President Jim DeTienne was a panelist during the EMS specific breakout session of the April 26 White House Forum on Military Credentialing and Licensing EMS Roundtable. The event was held at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House grounds in Washington, D.C. At the opening session, First Lady Michelle Obama made an unannounced appearance, encouraging all four specialty areas meeting that day (EMS, transportation, advanced medical occupations, and academic credit) to learn from the successes of the information technology certification and veteran employment initiatives that have been underway at the White House’s urging.

The EMS Roundtable was well attended by high level representatives of the U.S. Armed Services, each of which provided an overview of their medic education programs, along with a Dean and staff from Lansing Community College who described their tailored bachelors of science program from returning service members to transition to paramedic and other health professions. Several national EMS associations, including NASEMSO, were also represented. The remaining discussion centered on action items the group could work on collectively, including better "translation" information for state EMS and elected officials to understand the issues of returning service members’ educational needs that could facilitate streamlined credentialing and licensure, enabling entry into the EMS workforce.

NPSTC Seeking Volunteers to Serve on EMS Working Group

(04/12/13) The National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) is seeking additional volunteers to serve on its Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Working Group. This group will be examining the role of technology in the EMS field. EMS agencies are especially interested in how the new Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN) being constructed by FirstNet will be used. Read more.