Spotlight on NTIA: Mike Dame, Program Director, State and Local Implementation Grant Program

In his current role, Mike Dame is leading a program that has provided grants to states to help them prepare for the launch of a nationwide broadband network for public safety, which is being developed by the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet).

The FirstNet network will provide police officers, firefighters and other local, state, tribal and federal first responders with 21st century tools to help them do their jobs more effectively. Dame joined NTIA in late 2012 just as SLIGP was being launched following the passage of the federal law creating FirstNet and SLIGP. Dame said he finds it exciting to be involved at the start of such an important milestone for public safety. Prior to joining NTIA, Dame spent four years at the Department of Homeland Security in the Office of Emergency Communications, where he focused on public safety communications. Before landing at DHS, he spent a decade at the Department of Justice working in its Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), which is focused on improving relations between local police departments and the communities they serve.