Merry Christmas From Our Family to Yours!!

Clockwise from left: VP Jenny Adkins, Courtney Hochstetler, Luke McQueen, Robert Wirey, Eric Ping, President Sandra Black, C.O.O Robert Black, Kim Milfort, Cameron Salyers, Timothy Large... Merry Christmas!

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels Supports NAWBO and Local Business

EMR Consulting attended this year's annual Indianapolis NAWBO Awards Luncheon on December 15th at the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis.  Women business owners from all sectors of business were recognized for their achievements, leadership, and ability to inspire the next generation of women in business. 

From left:  EMR Associate Courtney Hochstetler, VP Jenny Adkins, Gov. Mitch Daniels, President Sandra Black, and Office Manager Kim Milfort

This event has grown from about 30 attendees at its inception five years ago, to more than 900 attendees, including an exhibit and networking hall before the event itself. 

Among the attendees was Governor Mitch Daniels, champion of the state's Buy Indiana program, which promotes in-state business ventures.  He took some time out of his busy schedule to not only attend the event, but also to stop and meet local business owners.  EMR is one of the Buy Indiana success stories, working to secure contracts in Indiana, the Midwest, and the Public Safety community at large.

Governor Daniels responds to gratitude for the program by stating that local business owners affected by the policy earn the contracts themselves, and the program is simply a way to open the door and provide opportunity.  "I didn't do anything," he insisted, "you've earned it."

The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) holds events, provides invaluable support and encouragement, and allows opportunity for connections among business owners in the community.

Senate Passes Tax Compromise, Crunchtime for D-block

Advocates of D-block reallocation had high hopes for the payroll tax bill passed by the House last week that included language that would provide spectrum and funding for a nationwide Public Safety broadband network, but the Senate chose to pass a two-month compromise instead, excluding any D-block language. 

According to Urgent Communications, it is still possible for the House to shoot the bill down and pursue further negotiation for a full year tax bill, in which case D-block might be re-introduced into the bill again.  Although some Public Safety officials were troubled by the governance and giveback language of the previous bill passed by the House, it was the closest the first responder community has come to achieving reallocation of the 10 MHz of D-block spectrum. 

Hope and enthusiasm are slowly being replaced by frustration and a new sense of urgency surrounding D-block reallocation.  Since this year's tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, the push to fulfill this recommendation of the 9/11 Commission has been gaining momentum. 

There is still a chance the House will reject the compromise and try to push for a full year agreement that could include D-block language, but many believe this is a long shot.   

Public Safety Mobilizes in Support of D-Block

APCO President Greg Riddle issued an urgent, early morning call to action for APCO members to contact their represenatives and senators, asking them to oppose give-backs of 700 MHz Narrowband spectrum and support D-Block allocation with sufficient funding in two bills that are currently on the two respective floors. 

The Public Safety Alliance (PSA) issued the same call to action, urging Public Safety advocates and personnel to reach out to their friends, family, and colleagues as well. 

A payroll-tax bill, H.R. 3630 was introduced last Friday on the House floor including language that would reallocate the 700 MHz D-Block.  The bill also included $5-$6.5 billion in funding for the deployment of the first nationwide dedicated Public Safety LTE network.

This same bill unfortunately also calls for Public Safety to give back its 700 MHz narrowbnand spectrum to the FCC within coming years, and has a questionable governance model according to many Public Safety spokespeople.  Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) wrote a letter to House Commerce Committee and Senate Commerce Committee leadership in support of the governance model in S. 911, sponsored by Jay Rockefeller (D-W.V.) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas).  The bill passed the Senate Commerce Committee last week with a 17-6 vote.

According to a Dec. 8th PSA press release, this legislation marks the completion of one of the last unmet recommendations of the 9/11 Commission from more than 10 years ago.  It is possible that D-block legislation could become a standalone bill in the House, but most expect the language to be inserted into an appropriations or payroll tax bill. 

Although the outcome is uncertain, now is the time for the Public Safety community to make a push on their legislators to support them by fulfilling this recommendation, ten years in the making.

House Communications Subcommittee Approves D-Block Bill

Last Thursday members of the House Communications Subcommittee approved a bill that would reallocate the 10 MHz of 700 MHz spectrum known as the D-block to Public Safety and provide at least $5 billion ($6.5 billion estimated in text) in funding for a nationwide LTE first responder network.

Public Safety Alliance spokesman Chris Moore released a statement praising Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) and the committee for their work to inspire bi-partisan support for the bill and striking a balance "between the needs of commercial wireless, public safety, broadcast and other interests, and in very difficult economic times."

In December of 2009, when the public safety community met in New York City to strategize efforts to pass this comprehensive legislation, many had doubts of its possibility.  Despite the challenges of achieving this lofty goal, lawmakers, Public Safety advocates, the FCC, and the Obama administration have been moving towards it, slow and steady. 

Since the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, the Public Safety community has been struggling to improve interoperability and secure better operational capabilities for first responders.  Access to a contiguous 20 MHz of spectrum is a leap forward for these efforts to come to fruition.  Negotiations will continue among committee members, staff, and stakeholders as the JOBS bill is marked-up in the full committee this week. 

Moore is chief of police for the San Jose, CA Police Department.  He went on to comment, "On behalf of more than 2 million first responders nationwide, the Public Safety Alliance greatly appreciates and applauds their tireless efforts, countless hours of study, analysis, negotiation and results."