GHS/OCD to Host Guam Public Safety Broadband Workshop with FirstNet

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) through funding from the State and Local Implementation Grant Program (SLIGP) will host the Guam Public Safety Broadband Workshop with FirstNet on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Westin Resort Guam.

 
The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) is an independent authority within the U.S. Department of Commerce and was authorized by Congress in 2012 to develop, build and operate the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN) that equips first responders with a dedicated, wireless broadband network to save lives and protect communities. Through a partnership with AT&T Telecommunications Company, the NPSBN is available throughout the United States and Territories (2020). The services offered are non-mission critical voice and data plans through cellular and/or devices which are not intended to replace the Land Mobile Radio (LMR) systems.

 
The one-day workshop will focus on a general overview of the NPSBN and FirstNet’s commitment to Guam’s public safety community. The afternoon breakout sessions will focus on discussions centered around the disciplines of Law Enforcement, Fire/EMS and Emergency Management with FirstNet Subject Matter Experts. The goal of the workshop is to provide a roadmap to help Guam’s public safety agencies plan, budget, and coordinate interoperability communications while assisting FirstNet with a better understanding of how Guam's public safety will integrate broadband in their communication plans.

 
Attendees for the workshop are public safety operational and technical personnel from the areas of Law Enforcement, Fire/EMS and Emergency Management. Mid to senior level management from across the Government of Guam, military and federal entities are also invited to attend the free workshop.

 
“This is a major step forward for all public safety officials on island,” stated Homeland Security Advisor George Charafauros. “Though the communication capabilities discussed during the workshop are specific for those public safety entities, this will benefit the whole community immensely.”

 
“By equipping public safety officials with the most up to date resources, we are providing them the opportunity to communicate with one another effectively and without any disruptions during times of emergency,” stated Office of Civil Defense Administrator Charles Esteves. “We thank all those responsible for bringing this capability to the island, from the Calvo Tenorio Administration, the FirstNet Single Point of Contact for Guam - Chief Technology Officer Frank Lujan, to our first responders as well as FirstNet and AT&T."

 
For registration details, contact Ms. Leigh G. Pereda SLIGP Program Manager at (671) 475-9600 or via email, leigh.pereda@ghs.guam.gov.

 
For media inquiries, contact GHS/OCD Public Information Officer, Jenna G. Blas at (671) 478-0208 or via email at jenna.g.blas@ghs.guam.gov.