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The Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a hearing today titled “Oversight of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) and Emergency Communications.” Vice Chair of the subcommittee, Congressman Bob Latta (R – Bowling Green) provided the following opening statement at the hearing:

“Public safety and emergency communications are an extremely important topic, one that affects every single American.  That is why it is imperative that FirstNet is successful. The nationwide interoperable public safety network is a massive undertaking – it is critically important that the communications system is done right by FirstNet– for the safety of all Americans.”

For the rest of Latta’s statement, read here.

FirstNet was created by the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 and is tasked with building and maintaining a nationwide, interoperable broadband public safety network. Latta submitted for the record a letter from Ohio’s Chief Information Officer on concerns regarding FirstNet’s funding, communication, planning and representation. Read a copy of the letter here.  

Additionally, Latta questioned FirstNet Chairman Sam Ginn on the lack of state input into the development of the public safety network and raised concerns about FirstNet’s business and cost recovery model.  To view the questions and responses, click here.  

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