The Role of Broadband in Improving Public Safety Communications and Emergency Response

The Federal Communications Commission will host a broadband field hearing in conjunction with Georgetown University Medical Center on The Role of Broadband in Improving Public Safety Communications and Emergency Response. The hearing will he held on Thursday, November 12, 2009, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Georgetown University The hearing will focus on the specific broadband requirements for America's first responders and emergency medical personnel, as well as the use of particular technologies and applications to maximize use of broadband, the cost of implementing such communications technologies, and how the National Broadband Plan now being developed by the Commission can help bring attention to, and address, these critical public safety issues. Broadband may face different challenges and serve different needs in more rural and tribal areas than in other parts of the country, so the FCC is asking for public input regarding broadband deployment for public safety in rural and tribal areas. In addition, the FCC also wants to know about public safety broadband communications to and from persons with disabilities. There's a long list of targeted questions in each area. Comments are due December 1, 2009.