House to hold hearing on public safety network

The House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Communications and Technology will hold a hearing next Thursday morning to examine the construction of the nationwide broadband network for first responders.

Congress set aside radio frequencies and funding for the network, called FirstNet, as part of tax cut extension legislation last year. The network, which will allow first responders from different agencies to communicate with each other, was one of the last outstanding recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

The committee did not announce witnesses but said members will hear from FirstNet and private sector groups that want to partner to "improve the connectivity, reliability and security" of the network. 

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, a Commerce Department agency, is overseeing the construction of the network.

“Last Congress we took concrete steps to improve emergency communications when we passed the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act,”  Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) said in a statement. “This hearing will provide oversight to ensure that both public safety officials and the public have access to effective, open lines of communication during an emergency."

---